Relief Control Room Operator

This is your opportunity to work for an Employer of Choice and play an integral role in our employee workplace culture. Cedar Falls Utilities is currently recruiting for a full-time Relief Control Room Operator to join our Electric Production Department. This position provides relief coverage for operating personnel as necessary for sickness, vacation, scheduled days off, or emergencies.

CFU takes pride in finding people that align with our core values of Customer Focus, Ethical & Responsible Behavior, Innovation, Employee Teamwork & Personal Growth and actively want to help maintain our reputation of being a trusted provider of utility services. The Relief Control Room Operator works under general supervision of the Control Room Operator Supervisor.  

Interested applicants should submit completed applications before Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 11:59PM.

Once your application has been completed, you will receive an email acknowledging the submission has been successfully completed. After the posting comes down, the hiring team will review all applications, and you will be notified either way if you are selected for further steps in the hiring process. Please ensure all contact information is kept up to date.

Compensation & Benefits

• CFU offers on-the-job training and will enroll employees into an 8-step apprenticeship program. 
• Non-commission, straight hourly based pay structure.
• Starting wage is based upon individual qualifications. Full position rate is $52.13/hour once a candidate can successfully perform the essential job functions.
• Relief operators are normally assigned to maintenance and fill in for control room operators as necessary for sickness, vacation, scheduled days off, or emergencies. Some situations may require very short notification times.
• When assigned to maintenance, normal working hours are Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:00pm with two 20 minute paid breaks. When providing relief in the control room, normal working hours are either 6:00am - 6:00pm, or 6:00pm - 6:00am. Breaks for meals are taken in the control room.
• Full-time benefits package including IPERS retirement benefits, health, dental, vision and life insurance. Click here for more information on CFU's benefits.
  • Health, Dental, Vision (Single or Family) – Eligible 1st of the Month Following 30 Days of Hire Date
  • Paid Vacation, Holidays, Sick Days, Bereavement Leave, and Flexible Days
  • IPERS and 457 Retirement
  • EAP Services Free to CFU Employees and Immediate Family Members
  • Educational Assistance and Professional Development
  • Employee Wellness Program and Onsite Fitness Center
  • Employee Recognition Program – Service Anniversaries
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Employer

• Assists maintenance division with maintaining specialized plant equipment such as the air-cooled condenser and the continuous emission monitoring system. Operates coal and ash handling equipment as needed. Operates and repairs reverse osmosis equipment. Plant cleaning and related work for other departments as assigned.
  
  
• Controls and operates the electric generation equipment as required as a CRO or Assistant CRO on a rotating shift basis. This includes operating all steam turbines, combustion turbines, generators, boilers, auxiliary power switchgear, feeder switchgear, transmission lines, power plant auxiliary machinery such as air compressors, pumps, fans, and other related equipment.
  
  
• Performs required functions without specific instructions. Notifies the supervisors of unusual situations or conditions. Monitors the city water storage system—controls the pumping system, as required. Operates and controls the exchange of power through interconnections as required. Takes hourly readings on control room monitors, meters, gauges and all operating plant equipment. Operates various software applications. 
   
• Recognizes abnormal conditions and makes the proper corrections. Understands all power generation equipment with enough confidence to respond promptly and properly to emergencies. Provides safe continuity of service to the customer.
  
  
• Maintains constant surveillance of the electric system parameters total load, power flows, transmission and distribution voltages and VAR flow—makes immediate corrections for abnormalities.
  
  
• Receives trouble calls after business hours, weekends and holidays for all CFU departments—dispatches servicemen and information as needed. Operates the city water pumping system. Operates and controls the exchange of power through interconnections.
  
  
• Must understand the special demands of this job. The purpose of this classification is to have someone responsible for “filling in” on any operating job on any shift when it becomes necessary to do so. Such assignments may at times be made with very short notice. The relief operator is assigned work in maintenance or other plant-related projects when not actually assigned to a plant operator function.
  
  
• Responsible for maintaining a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a manner that promotes positive relations with customers, coworkers, and management.

Education:

• Accredited high school graduation supplemented by appropriate correspondence courses or training, or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the ability to perform the job functions as defined. 

Experience:

• A minimum of at least 4 years experience in steam power plant operation is required. Previous Control Room Operator experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of: Principles of electricity and of steam power plant operation. Must know how to operate all boilers, all steam turbines, all generators and remote operation of all combustion turbines and substations. Must possess good math and communication skills. Must have mechanical aptitude and good judgment.
• Ability to: Act effectively under the duress of emergencies. Must be mentally alert and dependable. Must be willing to adapt to almost constantly changing knowledge requirements and be willing to work any shift, weekends, and holidays as directed. Must be willing to attend classes, seminars and participate in training to maintain educational requirements for this classification when opportunities arise. Establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with those contacted in the course of work.  

Physical Tasks and Environmental Conditions:

• The physical demands described here are characteristic of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee must occasionally lift at least 50 pounds, be alert to ergonomic hazards and possess the capability to climb ladders and/or stairs. The employee must also be capable of working in conditions with awkward/difficult positions. This job requires a high activity level.  

Pre-employment drug screen, physical, and hearing exam are required.