The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is the state agency that advances public education and libraries in Wisconsin. Our mission is to advance equitable, transformative, and sustainable educational experiences that develop learners, schools, libraries, and communities in Wisconsin. Working at DPI offers you the opportunity to build on our long-standing commitment to public education so that students are learning the skills and knowledge necessary to become contributing members of our communities.

At DPI, we are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued. Equity and inclusion are at the core of our organizational values, which include belonging, integrity, love, humility, and honor. These values guide how we build our teams, develop our leaders, and create a culture that empowers everyone to be their authentic selves. When employees are respected and valued for who they are and staff are held accountable for demonstrating that respect to others, we believe it drives greater engagement and collaboration, ignites creativity and innovation, and fosters connection between teams and those we serve. 

Our employees enjoy an exceptional employee assistance program that offers a variety of programs and tools to help promote wellness. We have a team-oriented atmosphere and a focus on work-life balance.

The Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WESP-DHH) and the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (WCBVI), under the Division for Learning Support, are seeking applicants for a Power Plant Operator In Charge position. This full-time, year-round position (1.0 FTE) is headquartered in Delavan but requires travel between both the Delavan and Janesville campuses to oversee vital facility operations and maintenance. Both campuses are residential schools that provide a safe and supportive living and learning environment for students.

This position is responsible for overseeing the operation and maintenance of essential building systems at both campuses, which include six gas/oil high-pressure boilers, multiple low-pressure hot water heat boilers, multiple generators, and over 450,000 gross square feet of buildings on 45+ acres. The Power Plant Operator In Charge will lead a team of power plant employees, coordinating daily tasks and small projects while ensuring compliance with state procurement guidelines. Additionally, this role involves working closely with the Buildings and Grounds Superintendent to plan, monitor, and instruct staff and contractors on routine operations, small projects, and capital improvements. The position also includes lead worker responsibilities, coordinating shifts, and ensuring all safety and operational standards are met.

For more information, please view the complete position description.

Starting salary will be $29.28 per hour (approximately $60,904 per year). For current and eligible former State employees, compensation will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan effective at time of hire. This position is in pay schedule 03, range 16. A one-year probationary period will be required.

Employees in this position are eligible for an additional $1.00 per hour add-on for fluency in American Sign Language (ASL), contingent upon achieving an ASL Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) rating of 2+ or higher.

This position offers excellent benefits. The State of Wisconsin is a qualifying employer for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Special notes: This position is generally scheduled for the first shift but may require flexibility to work different shift rotations, especially during the heating season, depending on operational needs.

Headquarters: This position is based at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf campus, located at 309 West Walworth Avenue in Delavan, WI, but may require occasional travel to the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired campus at 1700 West State Street in Janesville, WI, as operational needs arise. Parameters surrounding reimbursement for travel will be discussed during the interview.

Pre-hire requirements: A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of hire.  A TB screen will be required prior to start.

Legal authorization: Applicants must be legally entitled to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the U.S., without DPI sponsorship). The Department of Public Instruction does not sponsor visas, either at time of hire or at any later time.

Please address the following in your resume.

A minimally qualified applicant must have experience with all the below:

• Maintaining and operating high pressure electrical, gas, and/or oil operated steam boilers and related equipment (i.e., feedwater pumps, air compressors, water treatment systems, control panels).
• Performing a variety of physical plant maintenance tasks in areas such as electrical, plumbing, carpentry, HVAC, groundskeeping, or mechanical systems.
• Performing supervisory or lead-worker tasks (e.g., assigning, guiding, and training staff, monitoring work, etc.).
• Assisting with or managing projects (i.e., budgeting, scheduling, planning, procurement, and supervision).
  

Please note that a college degree is not required for this position.

Applying is easy! Click “Apply for Job” to start your application process.  Sign into your account or click “Register Now” to create an account before applying for the job. Follow the steps outlined in the application process and submit your application.

Helpful Tips:

• Current state employees must apply through the STAR “Careers” tile. Do not create an external applicant account. 
• There will be no opportunity to change your application materials once you have clicked “Submit”.
• The system will automatically log you off after 30 minutes of inactivity, so click “Save as a Draft” often.
• Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions section for general Wisc.Jobs user information and technical assistance. 
• Candidates may need to check their spam or junk email folders for correspondence about this position.

Each time you apply for a state job; you should update and tailor your resume. You should clearly describe your education, training, and experience related to the items listed in the “Qualifications” section of the job announcement. These qualifications should be addressed in your resume. This will allow a fuller assessment regarding your qualifications and those required for the job applying for. Please review these resume tips for more information on your application materials.

Your resume should include the following:

• Your educational background including any course work that relates to the position in which you are applying. 
• Your employment history, including experiences and/or duties and a summary of accomplishments and skills learned or used. 
• Any training or experience, including volunteer work or internships, you have related specifically to the “Qualifications” section of the assessment. 
• Spell out any acronyms and/or abbreviations the first time used. 

Your letter of qualifications should include:

• Additional information regarding your past work experience, including volunteer work and internships, or coursework you have taken. 
• Highlights of your most relevant skills and experiences as they related to the specific job you are applying for. 
• Specific examples that clearly demonstrates your level of expertise. 

Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the process. References will be requested from top candidates once interviews have taken place.

The State of Wisconsin offers a special program for qualified veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability.  If you are a qualified veteran, please visit the Veterans Employment page for application instructions to be considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program.  Once you have applied, please send an email indicating your interest in being considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program to the HR staff listed in the job posting.

The State of Wisconsin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

Questions? Please contact the recruiter at:
Jamie Smith
DPI Human Resources Specialist
Phone: (608) 267-9119
Email: Jamie.Smith@dpi.wi.gov 

The deadline for this announcement is 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2025.