Plant Utilities Engineer 1

Harvest your potential with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Division of the New York State Fair and become a vital force in shaping iconic events! As part of our dedicated team, you’ll support our mission to create an educational hub for agriculture and commerce, deliver quality entertainment and learning, and champion the promotion and marketing of New York's agri-business. Your contributions will directly support economic growth, job creation, and revenue generation. Find your purpose in public service and cultivate a career that offers both professional and personal development.

About the role

The Plant Utilities Engineer 1 operates, maintains, and repairs steam and hot water boilers, water supply, and return systems, electronic and pneumatic combustion and heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) control systems, refrigeration systems, and forced or induced draft fan systems. The role includes performing maintenance and repair on various water and sewage pumps and identifying, recommending, and developing energy conservation projects and initiatives. The incumbent may handle various types of hazardous materials, respond to incidents with potential environmental impact and safety concerns, and supervise contractors and subordinate staff.

Responsibilities include purchasing, inventory, and reclaiming all refrigerant gases as required by EPA Regulations, maintaining and repairing equipment that contains refrigerant, and following all EPA Regulations regarding refrigerant handling.

Schedule

• Full-time, permanent position
• 40 hours per week
• Monday–Friday, 6:45 AM – 3:15 PM
• No flextime, mandatory overtime, or compressed workweek allowed
• No telecommuting allowed

Location

581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse, NY 13209 (Onondaga County)

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and repair steam and hot water boilers, water supply, and return systems
• Maintain and repair electronic and pneumatic combustion and HVAC control systems
• Service refrigeration systems and forced or induced draft fan systems
• Perform maintenance and repair on water and sewage pumps
• Identify, recommend, and develop energy conservation projects and initiatives
• Handle hazardous materials and respond to environmental and safety incidents
• Supervise contractors and subordinate staff
• Purchase, inventory, and reclaim refrigerant gases in compliance with EPA Regulations
• Maintain and repair equipment containing refrigerant, adhering to all EPA guidelines

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• Graduate of a heating, HVAC, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration apprenticeship program from the U.S. Air Force
• Enlisted machinery technician (MK) with the U.S. Coast Guard or possession of a Marine Engineer certificate issued by the U.S. Coast Guard
• Enlisted power generation equipment repairer with the U.S. Army
• Enlisted gas turbine systems technician, submarine nuclear propulsion plant operator reactor control, utilities man, machinist mate, or engineman with the U.S. Navy
• Merchant Mariner’s Document (MMD) and qualified member of the engine department (QMED) as an oiler, fireman/water tender, refrigerating engineer, or engineman with the U.S. Merchant Marine
• Completion of a New York State Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program for stationary engineers, plant maintenance (plumber/steamfitter), HVAC Mechanic, or plant maintenance (refrigeration/AC)
• Possession of a High-Pressure Boiler Operating Engineer License or Stationary Engineer License
• Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Marine Engineering
• Four years of full-time hands-on experience in the maintenance and operation of commercial, industrial, or institutional facility systems, including HVAC, boilers, or auxiliary equipment, or experience with digital energy platforms and building analytics
• Four years of full-time hands-on experience in a residential setting performing diagnosis, operation, maintenance, or repair of HVAC systems, boilers, or auxiliary equipment
• Associate’s degree in HVAC and two years of qualifying experience as described above
• Completion of an HVAC certificate or diploma from a BOCES program (900 hours) or an approved certificate in HVAC, electrical, refrigeration, boiler operations and maintenance, or plumbing from an accredited technical school or technology college, plus two years of qualifying experience as described above

Additional qualifications for transfer or reinstatement may apply for current or former New York State employees.

Pay

• Salary range: $56,506 – $68,630 annually
• Starting salary: $56,506/year
• Eligible for yearly performance advances leading to the job rate of $68,630/year

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance options
• Fully covered dental and vision care
• New York State Pension Plan
• Paid time off: 5 personal days, 13 vacation days, 13 sick days, and 13 paid holidays in the first year
• Optional Payment Election Program
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Flex Spending Account
• NY’s 529 College Savings Program
• Potential eligibility for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)