Utility System Repairer/Operator

In accordance with Navajo Nation and federal law, TCRHCC has implemented an Affirmative Action Plan pursuant to the Navajo Preference in Employment Act. Preference in hiring and employment is given to applicants who meet the necessary qualifications and are (1) enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, (2) legally married to enrolled members of these tribes and meet residency requirements, or (3) enrolled members of other federally-recognized American Indian Tribes.

About the Role

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Utility Systems Repairer/Operator, responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of the heating plant and Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, including applicable software and controls for TCRHCC clinics and buildings. This role involves monitoring, adjusting, inspecting, troubleshooting, maintaining, and controlling all phases of building operations, including participation in a 12-hour shift schedule for 24/7 plant coverage. Work hours include rotational day or night shifts, weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime.

Responsibilities

• Monitors and controls the environment in remote buildings using a computerized building automation system (BAS) by adjusting operating temperatures, airflow, and starting/stopping fans.
• Monitors zone temperatures for critical hospital and research operations.
• Remotely manages and controls building climate through direct digital control (DDC).
• Troubleshoots and diagnoses building system problems using DDC, including maintaining and troubleshooting pharmacy clean rooms.
• Operates and maintains 250, 180, and 80-ton chillers and other equipment supplying chilled water to hospital AC systems.
• Starts, stops, and regulates AC chillers, cooling tower fans, and related support equipment.
• Performs general preventive maintenance on auxiliary equipment and components.
• Determines when to take chillers, pumps, air handlers, and cooling tower fans offline or bring additional units online to meet load requirements.
• Starts, regulates, and stops air handling equipment from the central computer or local switches in fan or equipment rooms.
• Performs preventive maintenance on HVAC equipment and completes log sheets for boilers, chillers, and other operations.
• Records water condition tests, temperatures, chiller oil levels, pressure readings, humidity, and other operational metrics.
• Monitors and records pressure and levels of liquid oxygen systems, natural gas, diesel fuel, and performs chemical analysis of water conditioning.
• Checks for adequate water supply, adjusts controls, and makes minor repairs to plumbing and steam equipment.
• Operates, troubleshoots, and performs preventive maintenance on low/high-pressure steam boilers, fire tube boilers, and auxiliary boiler equipment using a laptop and other methods.
• Maintains and updates equipment rooms and utilizes a computerized automated work order system.
• Performs routine preventive maintenance on:
  • Medical gas systems (O2, air, and vacuum), including medical air outlets and pneumatic tube conveying systems.
  • Steam lines (high and low pressure), including installation, modification, and repair of steam pressure piping and equipment.
  • Incandescent and fluorescent light fixtures, switches, and receptacles.
  • Electrical controls associated with pumps, fans, boilers, and motor controls.
• Takes CFM readings for isolation and other rooms, calculating and reporting air changes per hour.
• Maintains and updates records for fire alarm systems, fire sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, and fire suppression systems.
• Checks operation of safety equipment, including flame extinction, firebox rings, automatic re-ignition, and filters in air handler units.
• Participates in the department’s 24/7 coverage and rotational shift schedule for building utilities and maintenance emergencies.
• Ensures proper PPE is worn at all times, including face masks, gloves, gowns, NIOSH-approved N95 respirators, and eye/face shields.
• Completes donning and doffing tasks safely and discards used PPE appropriately.
• Performs routine cleaning and decontamination of surfaces contaminated by communicable diseases.
• Ensures compliance with "red zone" tasks and PPE requirements as directed by supervisors.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• A minimum of one (1) year of experience in plant maintenance/operation or building maintenance.
• Valid state driver’s license with no restrictions, maintained throughout employment.
• Ability to obtain Low/High-Pressure Boiler Operator or Plant Operator Certification within 6 months of hire.

Skills and Abilities

• Positive working relationships with others.
• High ethical standards and no history of complaints.
• Reliable and dependable with consistent attendance.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills to identify, report, and correct issues.
• Proper use of task-specific PPE.
• Basic computer skills (email, word processing, work-related internet searches).
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Successful completion of job interviews, background checks, reference checks, fingerprint clearance, and physical examinations.
• Submission of accurate and complete employment-related documents.

Mental and Physical Effort

The physical and mental demands described are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Physical Effort:
  • Frequent standing, walking, bending, climbing, kneeling, crouching, twisting, reaching, and occasional sitting or driving.
  • Ability to work in tight, cramped spaces.
  • Frequent lifting, carrying, pulling, or pushing parts and equipment up to 75 pounds; occasionally over 100 pounds.
  • Work on ladders, scaffolds, or in confined spaces with exposure to dust, temperature extremes, and weather conditions.
  • Frequent use of hand manipulation for grasping, fine motor tasks, and keyboard use.
• Mental Effort:
  • Good judgment and decision-making for equipment safety and proper operation.
  • Ability to independently determine the nature and extent of repairs.
  • Frequent concentration and ability to work alone.
  • Ability to cope with high stress, make decisions under pressure, and handle multiple priorities.
  • High degree of patience and adaptability to shift work.
  • Ability to manage altercations and work in close, crowded areas.

Environmental Exposures

• Frequent exposure to dust, fumes, gases, loud noises, and temperature or humidity extremes.
• Exposure to infectious diseases, chemical agents, hazardous or moving equipment, and unprotected heights.