Job question, WWGRMD?

Only been two weeks since our boiler plant shut down for good, unemployment claim has been filed. Was looking forward to some time off during the summer as I haven't had any real time off in 5.5 years, lotta work to catch up on around here. Steam plants don't usually hire until right before start up in the fall. Still lookin' tho in case something too good to pass up comes along.

Since I'm on recall at the old facility I received a call today from the site manager for a new job posting: General Maintenance Worker AKA Maintenance Tech. Basic plumbing. Basic carpentry. Painting and drywall repair. Minor electrical as in changing bulbs, switches, outlets etc. RHVAC as in changing filters, greasing bearings and other minor maintenance. Basic auto mechanics as in oil changes, tire changes, battery jumps and picking up parts from warehouse. That is it. No-brainer really.

Maybe not my ideal career path choice at this time but maybe oughta consider applying. Base rate is good and w/ waiving bennies is near $32/ hour, short over three bucks of the old boiler operator wage but I wouldn't complain at all.

Two maintenance positions are open but one caveat of this newly created job classification is the elimination of six or more skilled trade positions: The welder/ machinist, one electrician, one insulator, one HVAC guy and at least two laborers. Plus, I was one of four operators to get phased out as well.

Not really my bag but really have to consider this... I'm hooked on the berkeleying money and who wants to hire a near 59 y/o guy. Boiler operator and journeyman pipe fitter wages are typically $25-35/ hour in the big city, much less in the boonies. There's been no relevant jobs in either trade posted in over ten months. Did I say I'm hooked on the berkeleying money.

Prollem: I'm a boilerman at heart and I'd feel like a prick for taking one of 'their' jobs when I could eventually find boiler work down the road, prolly for a lot less money tho. Union brothers and all but us operators never got no berkeleying respect at all from any of the trades... our plant was just a place to hang out at, I really don't owe them a goddamn berkeleying thing.

After a call today to catch the skinny, my old boiler boss thoroughly encouraged me to apply, he'd be the new maintenance boss. Never truly knew what he thought of my work though. I have a damn good resume for this position w/ pipe fitter papers, RHVAC school and Universal Refrigerant License as well as the other basic plant maintenance work.

Of the current eight applicants I'd prolly be in the top 3-4. This job would be a big compromise for my boiler trade aspirations particularly at my age. This last boiler job really rounded out my resume, I'd really like to go out at the top of the boiler game but money can talk.

I know people that have sold out for the money. I know people who have made less in a job or trade they loved.

It's a huge compromise with 5-6 years left to retirement, I'm rather indifferent at this point. Love my trade but hooked on money. I'd like some time off too. I have no berkeleying idea.

Help a brother out, kick it around.

Take the job and the dough. Let your union brothers take their high horse to the breadlines.

That probably sounds bad, but I really don't care.

With automation what it is these days, the writing is on the wall for a boiler operator only job. Even with my Chief license in MN the boiler option was never going to be more than something I did in addition to my regular job.

I'd take the position and coast on out to retirement.

As you are Tarzan swinging through the job jungle from vine to vine...grab the new vine as it comes along or fall to the ground.
Keep moving through the jungle.

Take the maintenance position, keep eyes open for bigger/better or just ride it out. Current boss will be future boss, he must like the work you do because he's offering to bring you along.

Take it man, no question.

(love the Tarzan analogy. I might keep that one )

A job is better than no job.

Period.

Take it. They're gutting those 6 positions anyway, you're not the reason. If you don't the next guy will

What they said ^^^^

If you're only 5-6 years out from retirement then there's no point in taking a lower wage job to build future career prospects. It's all about the bills at this point.

Take the job.

Sounds like a no brainer.

I'd take the job, unless it would somehow prejudice managers who are looking to hire a boilerman in the future against you. It sounds like it may be at least four months and maybe another year or so before the type of job you're really after might come up, and it's better to be employed in the meantime. Downsizing isn't your fault (I presume that you didn't cause a boiler explosion and damage the plant beyond repair), and if anyone blames you for grabbing one of the jobs that you are able to get, they're not your friend anyway.

Speaking as somebody who is not that many years younger than you, I'd hate to be looking for a job at my age. I'd take the gig and ride it for a few years until it's time to quit.

Take the job and the money, you only have a few years to go.

Unless you're independently wealthy, take the job. Look out for #1 man. I understand your feelings but you're being given a gift right now...

Can't say it any better than the guys above.

I'll take a different path.

Relax for a bit. You've earned it. If you have the means (money) to chill, do it. I applaud the people who work hard, but I also applaud those who take care of themselves and use an opportunity for self-care.

I have structured my life that way. I live simply so that if I do lose a job or fall on hard times, they're not as hard. Don't get me wrong, I work very hard; usually 100 hours a week for a take-home pay that is about $26k/yr, but its because I absolutely LOVE my work. If the theater closes its doors, I'm going to tour Asia on a motorcycle. Then I'll worry about a job. Taking care of me is A#1, and that means doing things that are meaningful, not just things that earn money.

But, that's me. You have to do what feels right for you.

Do you want the job? Then take it. Do you not want it? Then don't take it.

I wouldn't worry about stepping on toes and all that. You were asked to apply. You'd be a good fit. Not your problem if someones feelings get hurt.

In reply to curtis73:

If he wasn't (probably) less than 5 years from retirement, I would agree with you more strongly.

I admire the curtis73 stance on this issue. I would personally take the job because not having work freaks me out and I'm not able to calm down and enjoy some time off in that sort of situation. I feel like a bit of a hypocrite about it.

I know far too many old guys struggling to find work due to layoffs or staffing changes right before retirement. It's a damn tough market out there for old dudes.

Take it. Retire in 5-years.

oldopelguy wrote: With automation what it is these days, the writing is on the wall for a boiler operator only job. Even with my Chief license in MN the boiler option was never going to be more than something I did in addition to my regular job.

Truth to that. Probably ten years ago Labor Statistics was showing little if any job growth for boiler operators because of technology. Exception would be boomers retiring. But yea, we are becoming dinosaurs.

There's still work around though. Stationary Engineer in the city pays up to $35/ hour. That's a 1.5 hour commute w/ parking tho not counting weather, construction etc. Any other high pay is 50-60 miles out or more. Can't get there from here.

More local operator jobs start at $16-something/ hour and I might reach $22-24 by the time I retire. There's a mini co-gen that would be a dream job, except for the money. And I likes money.

MadScientistMatt wrote: It sounds like it may be at least four months and maybe another year or so before the type of job you're really after might come up, and it's better to be employed in the meantime. Downsizing isn't your fault (I presume that you didn't cause a boiler explosion and damage the plant beyond repair), and if anyone blames you for grabbing one of the jobs that you are able to get, they're not your friend anyway.

There's been no relevant boiler jobs posted w/ similar pay in at least ten months. Been a few lower paying jobs tho, I could handle that w/ a couple years before retirement.

Trade secret: boiler operators don't bust their ass. But ya gotta know what to do when E36 M3 hits the fan, that's why the money.

Our boilers and plant were in good nick. What killed it was 2.5 miles of underground pipe that were leaking. We lost almost half our condensate return. Cost of make-up water, softener, water treatment chemicals and additional fuel adds up. They were not repairing the pipes any more.

Doesn't appear to be any animosity among the other trades losing their jobs, everybody has actually been encouraging.

Take the job, smile a lot, coast to retirement.

Take the job, in addition to the reasons cited above, its easier to find a job when you have a job.

I would think if something didnt come through in fall, you would probably have some trouble with your retirement date/goal.