Plant Utilities Assistant, Chilled Water Plant

University at Buffalo; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

The University at Buffalo is seeking a Plant Utilities Assistant for the Chilled Water Plant. You will help operate boilers and chillers, perform preventive maintenance, monitor gauges, and respond to equipment issues to keep campus facilities running smoothly.

Responsibilities include testing water chemistry, supervising helpers as needed, and coordinating with facilities staff. The role requires rotating shifts and a commitment to safety and reliability.

Qualifications

• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States by their start date.
• This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
• NY HELPS offers competitive and non-competitive tracks depending on qualifications.
• The position requires willingness to respond to after-hours calls and to work rotating shifts as needed.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair chiller, boilers, pumps and other power plant equipment.
• Respond to mechanical, electrical or plumbing breakdowns; troubleshoot and advise on fixes.
• Check mechanical rooms for correct operation of equipment and monitor readings.
• Operate and test water softeners and boiler water; take readings on meters and gauges.
• May supervise Plant Utilities Helpers as required.
• Be prepared to work during adverse weather to ensure continuous operation of all systems.

Skills

Safety awareness

Mechanical aptitude

Problem solving

Teamwork

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Marine Engineering

Associate’s degree in HVAC

HVAC certificate or diploma

Job description

Plant Utilities Assistant, Chilled Water Plant

Position Title Plant Utilities Assistant, Chilled Water Plant

Facilities Campus Operations at The University at Buffalo is seeking a candidate to fill the role of Plant Utilities Assistant. Plant Utilities Assistants perform various tasks in a safe and efficient manner in operating stationary steam or high temperature hot water boilers rated at 15 pounds per square inch or more.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair chiller, boilers, pumps, other power plant auxiliary equipment, and electrical and mechanical stationary equipment
• Respond to calls concerning mechanical, electrical or plumbing breakdowns to troubleshoot the problem, make necessary repairs or advise the appropriate authority regarding the problem.
• Check mechanical rooms for correct operation of mechanical equipment.
• Operate and test water softeners and boiler water for correct limits.
• Take readings on meters and gauges to ensure proper operation.
• Check air compressors, blow down and add oil as needed.
• May supervise Plant Utilities Helpers as required.

Outstanding Benefits Package

Working at UB comes with benefits that exceed salary alone. There are personal rewards including comprehensive health and retirement plan options. We also focus on creating and sustaining a healthy mix of work, personal and academic pursuit – all in an effort to support your work-life effectiveness. Visit our benefits website to learn about our benefit packages.

About The University at Buffalo

The University at Buffalo (UB) #ubuffalo is one of America’s leading public research universities and a flagship of the State University of New York system, recognized for our excellence and our impact. UB is a premier, research-intensive public university dedicated to academic excellence. Our research, creative activity and people positively impact the world. Like the city we call home, UB is distinguished by a culture of resilient optimism, resourceful thinking and pragmatic dreaming that enables us to reach others every day. Visit our website to learn more about the University at Buffalo.

The University at Buffalo is an equal opportunity employer ( EOE ) and welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with a disability.

Departmental Operating Needs

The incumbent must have a basic understanding of the concepts of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technologies.

The successful candidate must:

• Detail their qualifications and submit appropriate documentation with their application
• Explain and demonstrate their skills and competency for this position
• Communicate well with other employees and customers
• Possess and have demonstrated positive customer service skills
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions
• Be willing and able to respond to after hour calls resulting from equipment and system failures that may arise at any time of day or any day of the week

The incumbent may be required to work during adverse weather conditions to ensure continuous operation of all BMS and HVAC systems.

Since the activities of other employees depend upon the availability of the employee in this position, reliable attendance is a factor that will be considered when filling this vacancy.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States by their start date. The University at Buffalo does not guarantee that it will sponsor, support, or otherwise assist with obtaining work authorization.

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS ).

Non-competitive (NY HELPS)

Learn about the many ways your experience and or education can qualify you for this title. If you meet any one of the qualifications to follow, you’re eligible to apply for this exciting position.

• Graduate of heating, HVAC , ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration apprenticeship program from the U.S. Air Force;
• Must have been an 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;
• Must have been an enlisted power generation equipment repairer with the U.S. Army;
• Must have been an enlisted gas turbine systems technician, submarine nuclear propulsion plant operator reactor control, utilities man, machinist mate, or engineman with the U.S. Navy;
• Must have a Merchant Mariner’s Document ( MMD ) and have been a qualified member of the engine department ( QMED ) as an oiler, fireman/water tender, refrigerating engineer or engineman with the U.S. Merchant Marine;
• 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) (See Note #1);
• Possession of a High-Pressure Boiler Operating Engineer License or Stationary Engineer License;
• A bachelor’s degree in Facilities Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Marine Engineering;
• An associate’s degree in HVAC ;
• One year 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;
• One year of full-time hands on experience in a residential setting performing diagnosis, operation, maintenance repair of HVAC systems or boilers or auxiliary equipment;
• Completion of an HVAC certificate or diploma from a BOCES program (440 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

Competitive (NON -NY HELPS)

• Transfer Eligibility Requirement: You must have a current permanent appointment with a minimum of 1 year of service in a position of the same title or transferable title.
• Reassignment Requirement: You must hold the same title at the University at Buffalo.
• Reinstatement Requirement: You must be a former state employee to request reinstatement to the title that was held (or transferable title).

Preferred Qualifications

• A valid NYS Drivers license (Non- CDL ); or otherwise be able to demonstrate that the transportation requirements of the job can be met.
• EPA Universal Certification
• NYSDOH Backflow testing Certification
• Fall Arrest training
• Confined Space Training
• OEM Boiler Certification
• Lock-out/Tag-out training
• Cooling tower training

Physical Demands

You will be working near and on electrical equipment, gas-fired equipment, pressure vessels, and other equipment and in conditions that could potentially be hazardous if industry best-practices and safety procedures are not followed. The successful candidate is required to have confidence in their own abilities, and be able to work safely and proficiently on this equipment and in this environment, at any time of day or day or week. Bending, twisting, ability to transport 50 pounds, ascend/descend ladders, access equipment located on mezzanines, catwalks, basements and crawlspaces. Ability to work off ladders, scaffolding, in confined spaces and/or where air monitoring may be required. Work in loud/noisy dusty/dirty environments. Candidate must be able to perform the physical demands of the position as outlined in the Position Summary.

Driving Requirements

This position will never drive a university owned vehicle.

Salary Range

Salary Range $44,560

Work Days

Rotating Shifts (overtime, work on holidays, and non scheduled days may be required.)

Work Hours

Varies

Job Type

Job Type Full-Time

Campus

Campus All Campuses

UB is an AA/EOE and welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Arrangements will be made if an applicant has a disability in order to provide access to the application, interview and selection process upon request. Reasonable accommodation requests must be made in a timely manner by email at [e-mail] or by phone [phone].