Generator Technician/Power Production Technician

American Water Works Association; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Sacramento is seeking a Generator Technician to perform journey-level maintenance and repair on diesel and gaseous engines, ATS, and related power systems. You will inspect, test, and repair components, read schematics, and ensure safe operation of emergency and standby generators.

Ideal candidates have hands-on experience with internal combustion engines, transfer switches, and preventive maintenance, plus the ability to interpret wiring diagrams, conduct load tests, and safely

Qualifications

• Two-year technical electrical or mechanical trade school or military training/apprenticeship.
• One year of maintenance/repair of diesel and gas engines and related electrical systems; or three years in similar field.

Responsibilities

• Inspect and modify IC engines, diesel generators and related equipment.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on ATS and annunciator panels.
• Conduct load testing to identify problems and prevent wet stacking.
• Modify diesel control circuits and wiring as needed.
• Rebuild gas compressors and related engine components.
• Test batteries, oil, fuel; ship samples for analysis.
• Transport and dispose hazardous materials.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Engine control

Wiring diagrams

Wet stacking repair

Rigging

Record keeping

Education

Two-year technical electrical or mechanical trade school

Tools

Crane operation

Forklift operation

Job description

THE POSITION

The Generator Technician position with the City of Sacramento is a journey-level position. Knowledge and experience in industrial generator and Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) repair is highly desired.

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT

The ideal candidate will have experience safely and thoroughly performing the following:

• Performing troubleshooting and mechanical repairs on internal combustion engines, both gaseous and diesel.
• Understanding the application, maintenance, and repair of exhaust aftertreatment systems, up to and including T4F, on diesel and gaseous engines.
• Collecting oil and fuel samples and understanding the results of the sample evaluations.
• Performing preventive maintenance inspections and repairs on generators, transfer switches, and engines.

Under general supervision, the Generator Technician performs a variety of skilled and technical tasks in the inspection, repair, preventive, and corrective maintenance and modification on Internal Combustion (IC) engines, diesel generators, and other IC gaseous engines; tests, replaces or adjusts engine components such as valves, pistons, bearings, emissions systems, and other related systems; and, interprets schematic wiring and modifies diesel control circuits.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the journey-level classification. Incumbents perform routine task and as proficiency increases incumbents, under general supervision or technical guidance may perform more difficult assignments. The Generator Technician class is distinguished from the Senior Generator Technician in that in addition to the latter having independent responsibility for completing task of a complex nature, Senior Generator Technicians may also serve as team leader and provide technical insight over projects.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General supervision is provided by a Supervising Generator Technician or a higher-level administrative or division manager.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist and participate in routine inspections and make modifications to IC engines, diesel generators, and associated equipment.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS) and annunciator panels.
• Perform load testing on units to identify possible problems and prevent wet stacking.
• Make electrical and mechanical wiring modifications to diesel control circuits.
• Rebuild and repair gas compressors (turbochargers) used for forced-induction of IC engines, head gaskets, seals, water pumps, catalytic converters, torque heads, belts and hoses.
• Conduct automatic and manual transfer tests of simulated power outages to ensure generators are functioning properly.
• Test batteries, fuel coolant, and oil; ship oil samples for analysis.
• Transport and dispose hazardous materials.
• Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual holding this classification.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Basic electrical, mechanical, thermal, and hydraulic principles and practices.
• Engine Control systems and other program logic controls that are associated with IC power generation.
• Electrical and mechanical safety procedures.
• Applicable local, state and national regulations such SMAQMD, CARB and EPA. state and national regulations.
• Natural Fire Protections Codes.
• Lockout/tagout Procedures.
• Appropriate electrical and mechanical personal protective equipment (PPE).
• IC Diesel and other gaseous IC engines.
• Technique in tracking, transporting, and disposing hazardous materials.
• Rigging standards and principles of safe and efficient methods for handling heavy objects.
• Computer technology.

Skill in

• Interpreting electrical and mechanical drawings.
• Identifying and repairing problems with engine control systems.
• Interpreting schematic diagrams and wiring.
• Correcting wet stacking conditions.
• Rigging for the handling of heavy objects.
• Troubleshooting and diagnosing electrical problems.Maintaining records manually and electronically.

Ability to

• Read electrical and mechanical drawings and prints.
• Use electrical testing and calibration equipment to include but not limited to: Digital-Volt-OHM-Meters, DVOM), Mega-ohmmeters, Oscilloscopes, Power Quality Meters, and Loop Calibrators.
• Use calibrated mechanical tools to include but not limited to: torque wrenches, dial indicators, micrometers, and vacuum and pressure manometers.
• Use stationary machine tooling to include but not limited to: drill presses, grinders, band saws, pipe threads/cutters, lathes, iron workers and hydraulic presses.
• Follow applicable state and national regulations; safety guidelines; and procedures.
• Rebuild engines.
• Interpret and analyze characteristics of oil samples.
• Identify wet stacking problems in gasoline and diesel engines.
• Record and track the transporting of materials.
• Rig and handle heavy objects.
• Operate cranes and forklifts.
• Climb into confined spaces that may contain hazardous gas.
• Lift moderately heavy objects weighing up to approximately 50 pounds.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education

Successful completion of a two-year technical electrical or mechanical trade school; or military training/apprenticeship.

-AND-

Experience

One year of experience in the general maintenance, servicing, and repair of diesel and gas engines and other electrical systems related to light and heavy duty machinery and mechanical equipment.

-OR-

Three years of experience in the general maintenance, servicing, and repair of diesel and other gaseous IC engines and other electrical systems related to light and heavy duty machinery and equipment.

PROOF OF EDUCATION

Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment.Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential's evaluation service.Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.

Special Requirements

Driver License

• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Ability to obtain a valid California Class A Driver License with appropriate Hazardous Material and Tank Vehicle Endorsements during the probationary period. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Ability to attain California state issued Crane and Forklift Certifications by the end of the probationary period. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Respiratory Protective Equipment

Work in this classification requires wearing respiratory protective equipment at times. When assigned to such work, facial hair must be shaven when it interferes with the safe fitting of respiratory protective equipment.

Physical Requirements

Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:

• Making observation of electrical circuits and controls.
• Operating assigned equipment.
• Communicating with others.

Maintain physical conditions appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include the following:

• Moving items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Work in confined spaces.

Assessment:

If considered for appointment, candidates must pass a pre-employment drug test.

Probationary Period:

Employees must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.