Water Treatment Mechanic — Mechanic Water Treatment

Salary: $33.64 - $38.43 hourly depending on experience.

Benefits

• Free comprehensive health care for you and your family
• 10% contribution toward your retirement
• Generous sick, vacation, personal, and holiday time

Schedule

2nd shift - Monday through Friday, 1:30pm to 10:00pm. May require after-hours, weekend, and holiday work.

About the role

This position is responsible for handling and distributing chemicals to various campus buildings, as well as testing and adjusting chemical levels in a wide range of HVAC equipment—including cooling towers, boilers, closed-loop heating and cooling systems, and swimming pools. The role requires experience using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and respirators when working with chemicals. Work may be performed from ladders, scaffolding, swing stages, boom trucks, and similar elevated devices.

Responsibilities

• Conduct testing of chemical levels and make necessary adjustments to maintain proper treatment levels in HVAC open and closed loop water systems, as well as swimming/exercise pools and hot/cold tubs.
• Perform seasonal cleaning of cooling towers.
• Maintain cooling towers and associated components including valves, fans, gear boxes, water meters, filters, and strainers.
• Assist in the delivery of chemicals used in water treatment to campus buildings, using carts and equipment to handle containers from quart size up to bulk holding tanks of 1000 gallons or more.
• Diagnose and repair various controls used to treat open and closed HVAC water treatment systems and the treatment of swimming and exercise pools and cold/hot tubs.
• Take samples for state of Michigan or in-house testing including pH, Legionella, and biological testing.
• Perform time tracking, job cost accounting, record keeping, customer communication, material procurement, and correspondence through email, training sessions, meetings, and professional development activities.
• Requisition materials and parts, interpret blueprints, diagrams, sketches, and job specifications, and estimate time and materials needed for assignments.
• Prepare records and service reports documenting treatment levels, job time, and materials used.
• Use drums, two- and four-wheel carts, and standard hand tools related to the trade.

Requirements

• Completion of a high school education or an equivalent combination of technical training and experience.
• Successful completion of an applicable trade-specific Trades Helper program, or completion of an approved apprenticeship program, or an associate degree, or equivalent education/experience.
• Five years’ experience in the water treatment trade that includes two years of experience in commercial water treatment installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated ability to independently perform the duties and responsibilities of the classification, or equivalent education/experience.
• Possession of a Michigan Pesticide Applicators Certificate with category 5A (Swimming Pool) or 5B (Microbial Pest Management) or the Certified Pool Operators (CPO) certification prior to completion of applicable probation or trial period.
• Must possess a Michigan Pesticide Applicators Certificate with category 5A (Swimming Pool) and 5B (Microbial Pest Management) and Certified Pool Operators (CPO) certification to receive progression step increases at and after the twelve (12) month mark.
• Ability to differentiate between color hues for water testing.
• Expert knowledge of the methods, materials, tools, equipment, occupational hazards, and safety precautions of the trade.
• Expert knowledge of applicable building codes, rules, and regulations (local, state, and federal).
• Possession of a valid vehicle operator's license.
• Must furnish own hand tools.
• Frequent lifting of 26 to 75 pounds and occasional lifting of over 75 pounds.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with large chilled water system control and operation.
• Experience with boiler water treatment chemistry.
• Rigging experience.
• Knowledge of pump maintenance and repair.
• A lifelong learner and problem solver with strong technical skills and communication skills, who focuses on innovative solutions aligned with University goals.

Physical Demands

• Lifting and carrying up to 75 pounds, pushing/pulling, and climbing ladders, stairs, and working from various types of equipment, including scaffolding.
• Work in noisy areas (at or above 85 decibels).
• Wear a respirator (does not include paper dust mask worn for comfort).