Central Plant Systems Technician

Tucson International Airport; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 54,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Tucson International Airport is seeking a skilled plant mechanic to operate and maintain the main terminal central plant and automated building control systems, ensuring energy-efficient performance of HVAC equipment and related infrastructure.

You will analyze energy usage, read blueprints, coordinate with project managers, train staff, and respond to emergencies following ICS/NIMS protocols. A high school diploma and EPA 608 certification are required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum four years as plant mechanic, stationary engineer, boiler operator, or refrigeration mechanic; or two years technical education in mechanical/electrical/HVAC plus two years of experience with automated controls.
• Two years experience testing water for chilled and heating water loops.
• EPA Section 608 Technician Certification required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain central plant systems and monitor energy efficiency.
• Conduct monthly energy consumption trend analyses.
• Recommend central plant upgrades to improve efficiency.
• Troubleshoot digital, electric, and pneumatic controls; source parts and tools.
• Coordinate with facility leadership on energy conservation strategies.
• Read blueprints and assist in energy-conscious design and maintenance policies.
• Develop and document plant logs and power consumption data.
• Train facility staff on central plant, cooling, heating, and lighting systems.
• Respond to airport emergencies following ICS/NIMS protocols.

Skills

Organization

Communication

Critical thinking

English proficiency

Self-motivation

Education

High school diploma or GED

EPA Section 608 Certification

Tools

VFDs

PLCs

Building management system

Blueprints

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Tucson, AZ 85756

Salary Range: $53,619.00 - $82,349.00 Salary/year

Distinguishing Characteristics: Under minimal supervision is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the main terminal central plant and automated building control systems at Tucson International Airport (TUS) and Ryan (RYN) airfield; ensures maximum performance of Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment on the airport site; performs quality assurance and improvements on the energy management control systems.

Essential Functions:

• Support and advocate for TAA's Mission, Vision, Guiding Principles and act as a champion and role-model of TAA's Cultural Fundamentals; assist in the delivery of the TAA's Strategic Plan goals and objectives.
• Maintains central plant systems; monitors and adjust parameters to ensure the needs of the airport are balanced with energy efficiency; including lighting, heating, and cooling.
• Perform trend analysis on energy consumption histories on a monthly basis to detect exceptions.
• Suggest recommendations for central plant upgrades to keep the system current.
• Troubleshoots digital, electric and pneumatic controls systems to determine cause of failures, repairs as possible, and makes recommendations for correcting system defects. Research, locate, price and submit appropriate information regarding the purchase of necessary parts and tools.
• Communicates with facility department leadership on energy conservation strategies. Evaluates HVAC problems and provides a recommended course of action to supervision.
• Coordinates with airport project managers on facility improvement projects. Read and understand blueprints and maintenance technical data. Evaluates plans, reads blueprints to assist in the development of energy-conscious design, maintenance, and operations polices.
• Develop, improve, and document plant specific logs; including chiller and boiler set points logs, in-house meter readings and power consumption data for finance personnel.
• Trains other facility department personnel on critical aspects of facilities and central plant, cooling, heating and lighting systems.
• Be responsive to airport emergencies and situations that may involve loss of human life or property; support public safety and operational response to emergencies; utilize Incident Management System (ICS)/National Incident Management System (NIMS) protocols and procedures; coordinate and/or participate in after-action emergency de-briefing with appropriate departments and stakeholders.

QualificationsPosition Requirements:

• A high school diploma or GED
• A minimum of four (4) years of experience as a plant mechanic, stationary engineer, boiler operator, or refrigeration (including chillers and boilers) mechanic; or two (2) years of verifiable technical education in mechanical, electrical, or HVAC systems, and two (2) years of experience in the analysis and troubleshooting of heating, ventilation, lighting, and building systems (including chillers and boilers) with automated control systems for energy efficiency.
• Two years of experience testing and analyzing water treatment samples for chilled, condenser and heating water loops.
• EPA Section 608 Technician Certification is required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Materials, means and methods of facility maintenance and repair.
• Mechanical engineering and construction techniques.
• Chillers, boilers, VFDs, PLCs, VAVs, AHUs, associated water chilled equipment
• Computer controlled energy management systems.
• Digital, electric and pneumatic controls; hydronic heating and cooling systems, air conditioning, Central Plant operations; thermal storage.
• Blueprints and schematic drawings.
• Equipment and tools used in the facility maintenance trades.

Skill in:

• Organization, oral, written communication and critical thinking.
• Self-motivation and taking initiative to complete quality work that furthers the mission and goals of the department and TAA.

Environmental Requirements

Work in high-noise environment; extreme seasonal weather, when necessary.

Mental Requirements

• Remain focused and decisive in stressful situations; use sound and effective judgment.
• Interpret and analyze complex technical data and information for decision making and reporting purposes, including decision-making in stressful situations.
• Perform tasks with a high degree of accuracy; maintain confidentiality, attention to detail, with mature judgment, function in compelling, high stress, fast-paced work environment, with deadlines and multiple projects.
• Research information and organize data in meaningful form, make sound judgments, draw accurate conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations.

Physical Requirements

• Perform tasks with a full range of bodily movements, including lifting, moving, pushing, standing, walking, reaching, stretching, bending, kneeling, twisting, and crawling.
• Perform repairs that require regular and prolonged bending and pulling of equipment on irregular surfaces; climb/work at heights of up to 40 feet, using small or large tools to repair equipment.
• Moving, pushing, standing (for periods of two (2) to three (3) hours at a time), walking, reaching, stretching, bending, kneeling, twisting, and crawling.
• Climb up and work off ladders, both step and extension, to go up on sky lifts to approximately 70' in the air.
• Obtain access and work in tight/confined spaces, such as ceilings, small crawl spaces, between walls, access panel doors and tunnels.
• Have hand dexterity to maintain a strong grip to hold objects firmly for extended periods of time (tools, equipment).
• Distinguish colors by a practical test in all lighting conditions of standard airport lighting system colors and Air Traffic Control Tower light-gun signals, identify fuel grade color code markings, and actual samples of various fuels.
• Hear and understand through both ears, sounds coming through a radio, a standard telephone receiver, or other outside sound sources.
• Communicate in English via telephone, radio, and cellular telephone, in a high noise environment, with sufficient clarity to be understood by others.
• Read, write, and speak the English language in an articulate, fluent manner, ability to speak Spanish or another second language is helpful.
• Operate any airport vehicle or equipment, whether standard or automatic, pickup trucks and forklifts.

General

• Work assigned shifts, including day/evening/weekends/holidays, subject to overtime and on call, as required.
• Exercise effective customer service and public relations practices and procedures.
• Use a computer utilizing Microsoft office software or other office software and machines.
• Establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with department personnel, other TAA personnel, and outside agencies, as required.
• Maintain discreet and professional sense of confidentiality; understand that dissemination of information outside of job requirements is based on "need-to-know" and will subject employee to loss of employment and/or criminal prosecution.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

• A valid Arizona's driver's license.
• Must obtain and maintain the ability to drive airport vehicles on the Non-Movement Area of the Air Operations Area.
• Must obtain and maintain access to the Security Identification Display Area (SIDA).
• Must successfully complete the National Incident Management System (NIMS) 100, 200, 700 and 800 course requirements and certification within 1 year of employment.
• Must successfully complete required departmental training.
• Must obtain and maintain Forklift Certification within ninety (90) days after date of hire.
• As an employee, you are deemed to be essential personnel as part of TAA's emergency response and must respond to airport incidents as requested/required