Plant Utilities Engineer 1 Facilities - NY HELPS

About the role

Operates and maintains steam and hot water boilers, HVAC systems, chillers, and auxiliary equipment. Performs troubleshooting, repairs, and calibration of combustion, pneumatic, and digital control systems. Conducts water quality testing, chemical treatment, and preventive maintenance. Monitors energy efficiency and recommends conservation projects. Responds to after-hours breakdowns and performs seasonal system transitions.

Responsibilities

• Operates steam/hot water boilers including lighting off, firing, cleaning, and shutting down systems
• Operates central/auxiliary computers monitoring, testing, controlling, and operating boilers, auxiliary equipment, and HVAC systems
• Operates boiler, feed water, condensate, and hot water supply and return systems
• Troubleshoots, repairs, and calibrates electronic and pneumatic combustion and HVAC control systems
• Conducts boiler, HVAC, and water systems testing; analyzes results; adds chemicals to maintain proper residuals
• Operates forced/induced draft fan systems (start, regulate, secure for proper combustion)
• Operates large chillers (centrifugal, screw-driven, hermetic) and other refrigeration equipment
• Operates auxiliary air-conditioning equipment (cooling towers, evaporative coolers, fan coils, vacuum pumps, purge chillers, water-cooled condensers)
• Conducts chilled water and condenser water chemical analysis to maintain proper residuals
• Operates HVAC systems to maintain proper environmental conditions including hydronic, steam, and air handling distribution systems
• Calibrates controls, balances air distribution systems, maintains proper air temperature, humidity, fresh air, and airflow quality
• Troubleshoots and adjusts pneumatic and digital control systems
• Operates, maintains, and repairs high temperature/pressure water distribution systems and chilled water AC systems
• Operates, maintains, and repairs ventilation systems
• Monitors and adjusts system set points using remote computer links to programmable logic controls
• Cleans, inspects, maintains, and repairs boilers (flushing, chemical cleaning of water/fire sides, repairing brick work, replacing tubes)
• Maintains, repairs, or replaces bearings, shafts, controller valves, motors, piping, traps, conveyors, and other equipment
• Troubleshoots and repairs building distribution systems (low pressure steam distribution, heat exchangers, hot/cold deck systems, air handlers, pneumatic/digital controls)
• Maintains boiler combustion, emission, and flame safety control systems
• Performs all chiller maintenance (cleaning/replacing condenser tubes, cleaning evaporators, maintenance/repair of steam turbines, pumps, air compressors, steam systems, cooling towers, motors, motor starters, variable frequency drives)
• Performs maintenance on HVAC systems including Direct Digital Controls adjustment, calibration, and modification
• Maintains/repairs pumps and piping; installs new/modifies existing equipment; lubricates fan motors, bearings, belts; cleans drip pans and drains; replaces filters
• Maintains computerized energy management system; identifies, inspects, replaces faulty equipment/devices; troubleshoots problems including resetting temperature, humidity, fan status, damper controls, valve position, and alarm status
• Responds to after-hours calls concerning mechanical, electrical, or plumbing breakdowns; troubleshoots and makes repairs or contacts supervisor
• Performs HVAC system inspections and manufacturer-recommended preventive maintenance
• Performs seasonal overhauls and transitions systems from heating to cooling and vice versa
• Surveys equipment/systems operation to determine most efficient mode; reads gauges/meters and references technical instructions/operating manuals
• Installs new/modifies existing equipment to operate at peak energy efficiency
• Identifies, recommends, and develops energy conservation projects

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must have permanent appointment in a Plant Utilities Engineer 1 classified position (or be eligible for transfer) or be reachable on the current NY State Civil Service canvass list for Plant Utilities Engineer 1 – Brockport location. New York State Preferred Lists candidates have preference.

Open Competitive (Non-competitive, NY HELPS) Qualifications:

• Graduate of heating, HVAC, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration apprenticeship program from the U.S. Air Force; or
• Enlisted machinery technician (MK) with the U.S. Coast Guard or possession of a certificate as a Marine Engineer issued by the U.S. Coast Guard; or
• Enlisted power generation equipment repairer with the U.S. Army; or
• Enlisted gas turbine systems technician, submarine nuclear propulsion plant operator reactor control, utilities man, machinist mate, or engineman with the U.S. Navy; or
• 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; or
• 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); or
• Possession of a High-Pressure Boiler Operating Engineer License or Stationary Engineer License; or
• Bachelor's degree in Facilities Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Marine Engineering; or
• Four years of full-time hands-on experience in the maintenance and operation of commercial, industrial, institutional facility, computer applications of digital energy platforms and building analytics and/or performing diagnosis, repair of HVAC systems or boilers or auxiliary equipment; or
• Four years of full-time hands-on experience in a residential setting performing diagnosis, operation, maintenance repair of HVAC systems or boilers or auxiliary equipment; or
• Associate's degree in HVAC AND two years of qualifying experience as described in either qualification #8 or #9 above; or
• Completion of an HVAC certificate or diploma from a BOCES program (900 hours) OR completion of an approved certificate in HVAC, electrical, refrigeration, boiler operations and maintenance, or plumbing from an accredited technical school or technology college AND two years of qualifying experience as described in either qualification #8 or #9 above.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using Footprints and Maximo systems
• Ability to use computer-based monitoring and control devices in maintaining and troubleshooting HVAC systems
• Ability to perform preventive maintenance according to published guidelines
• Knowledge of HVAC installation, troubleshooting, repair and maintenance

Skills & Operating Needs

• Knowledge of construction and safe/efficient operation of boilers, chillers, auxiliary heating, ventilating and air-conditioning equipment, and high/low voltage electrical and generating equipment
• Knowledge of methods, materials and tools used in maintenance and repair of boiler, chiller, auxiliary heating, ventilating and air-conditioning equipment, and high/low voltage electrical and generating equipment
• Working knowledge of methods, materials and tools used in making mechanical and routine electrical repairs to heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, refrigeration, plumbing, pneumatic control systems and direct digital and other microprocessor-controlled systems
• Working knowledge of operation of computer-driven control and energy management systems
• Working knowledge of methods, materials and tools used to troubleshoot, maintain and repair sprinkler and fire alarm systems, elevators and switch gear and electrical distribution systems
• Working knowledge of methods, materials and tools used in maintenance, repair and balancing of building ventilation systems, air handlers, fans and hydronic systems
• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, specifications, design drawings and wiring diagrams
• Ability to diagnose mechanical and electrical problems
• Possess a valid NYS Driver's License
• Ability to operate a variety of hand and power tools
• Required to work scheduled and unscheduled overtime