Boiler or Engine Operator
712911 · Heavy Career data Close match
Metal machinists use lathes, milling machines and grinders to produce precision metal parts and instruments.
Most common salary $59k – $90k
Upper salary up to $107k
Training 0-3 years
Matched as "Metal machinist"
Description
Operates and maintains stationary engines, boilers, refrigeration and air conditioning systems, and associated mechanical plants.
Typical work tasks
- Maintains supply of solid, liquid or gas fuel to boiler; maintains required level of water in boiler and controls draught; cleans and maintains boiler and work area.
Typical work environment
- Works indoors in boiler room of industrial plants, ships or other organisations.
- Works in dirty, noisy and frequently hot environments.
- Often works shifts and outside of normal hours to ensure service is maintained.
- Pipes and associated equipment will be extremely hot.
- Wears appropriate protective clothing and equipment including gloves, ear and eye protection.
Typical physical and mental demands
- Medium to heavy work demand levels. Variation in demand levels will be dependent on the state of technology and whether the fuel source is automatically fed or manually shovelled.
- Stands frequently on concrete floors and occasionally walks about work area to move equipment and checks fuel supplies and gauges.
- Sitting is not required.
- Occasionally stretches up and across when working on boilers and adjusting controls.
- Occasionally squats or crouches when cleaning out clinkers or other residue in the firebox if coal fired.
- Does not usually twist the body or neck but may do if required to shovel fuel.
- Bends occasionally when working on boilers, associated equipment, or when lifting or shovelling.
- Works constantly with controls which may be computerised, to check and adjust temperature and fuel inflow.
- Frequently lifts and carries hand tools and other boiler room equipment in order to adjust boiler and complete other general maintenance tasks.
- Repetitive hand and arm movements are required for the operation of boiler controls.
- Driving is not a significant feature of the job.
- Mental skills necessary include practical, technical and problem-solving skills.
Entry signal Model estimate
Enter via experience or on-the-job training; no mandatory pre-entry qualification. A licence may be required for some roles or employers.
Entry barrier Experience or on-job training
Licence / registration Licence may be required
ANZSCO skill level 4
Next-day ready No
Unverified — this label is model-generated and not yet clinician-reviewed. Confirm against the WTDS before relying on it.
How this was determined (model-generated): Boiler/engine operator: steam-plant attendant CoC needed for some classes but 'may be required' and many automatic plants exempt; may_be_required not required; proposal stands.
Entry Requirements
- A New Zealand Register Level 2 or 3 qualification or at least one year of relevant experience. In some instances relevant experience may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 4). For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient.
- Registration or licensing may be required.
Further Comments
- There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.