Central Plant Operator (Lead HVAC)

About the role

This is a full-time, 12-month, unclassified position. The appointment is available immediately.

Position Duties/Responsibilities

• Maintains current knowledge and is responsible for understanding and applying codes and regulations pertaining to area of expertise.
• Maintains and repairs a wide variety of air conditioning and heating systems, from small window units and mini-split systems to chillers (standard and absorption), pumps, cooling towers, air handling units, fan coils, exhaust fans, dampers, ducts, piping, controls, and all other conditioned air system components.
• Installs, maintains, and repairs refrigeration systems including reach-ins, walk-ins, and small refrigerators.
• Installs, trouble shoots, and repairs air conditioning and heating controls and thermostats.
• Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots a campus-wide, computer-based Energy Management System.
• Develops and assists in developing specifications, diagrams, and drawings.
• Manages EPA certification for the handling and management of refrigerants.
• Develops, prepares, and maintains daily operation logs for all HVAC equipment.
• Manages preventive maintenance programs.
• Troubleshoots air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, walk-ins, reach-ins, ice machines, energy management and control systems.

Essential Duties

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class:

• Maintains current knowledge and is responsible for understanding and applying codes and regulations pertaining to area of expertise.
• Maintains and repairs a wide variety of air conditioning and heating systems, from small window units and mini-split systems to chillers (standard and absorption), pumps, cooling towers, air handling units, fan coils, exhaust fans, dampers, ducts, piping, controls, and all other conditioned air system components.
• Installs, maintains, and repairs refrigeration systems including reach-ins, walk-ins, and small refrigerators.
• Installs, trouble shoots, and repairs air conditioning and heating controls and thermostats.
• Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots a campus-wide, computer-based Energy Management System.
• Develops and assists in developing specifications, diagrams, and drawings.
• Manages EPA certification for the handling and management of refrigerants.
• Develops, prepares, and maintains daily operation logs for all HVAC equipment.
• Manages preventive maintenance programs.
• Troubleshoots air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, walk-ins, reach-ins, ice machines, energy management and control systems.

Required/Preferred Qualifications

• Four years of experience in the operation or maintenance of central plant heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment and associated systems OR Associate's degree from an accredited college or technical school in air-conditioning technology and two years of experience in heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) central plant operations.
• Two (2) years of verifiable lead-worker experience performing responsibilities with more complex tasks, problem-solving, and guiding team output to achieve project goals and meet deadlines (Preferred).

Knowledge/Abilities

• Knowledge of: Large heat exchangers, chillers, boilers, cooling towers, pumps and water treatment systems.
• Knowledge of: Heat recovery and energy storage systems.
• Knowledge of: Basic desktop computing.
• Knowledge of: Electrical and plumbing systems.
• Knowledge of: Energy Management Systems.
• Knowledge of: Methods and practices of operating and maintaining a central plant.
• Knowledge of: Theory of operation of automated HVAC control systems.

Physical Job Requirements

• Hand and digit dexterity to operate a variety of hand and power tools and equipment specific to the trade.
• Walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, twisting/turning, and reaching in awkward positions to install and repair equipment.
• Climbing stairs and ladders.
• Pushing and pulling equipment.
• Bending at the waist.
• Working at heights of 50 feet or more on ladders, scaffolds or field poles.
• Working under buildings or in confined spaces.
• Moderate lifting (up to 50 pounds).
• Working indoors and outdoors in varying temperatures.
• Vision to read printed materials and to identify and distinguish wiring and equipment.
• Hearing and speech for normal communications.
• Work successfully in a multicultural environment.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Work independently with little or no supervision.
• Maintain preventive maintenance programs.
• Install, repair, and maintain air conditioning and heating systems and all associated controls at the central plant and college facilities.
• Troubleshoot air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, walk-ins, reach-ins, ice machines, energy management and control systems.