Plant Utilities Assistant - Multiple Positions

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 54,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in New York is seeking a Plant Utilities Assistant to perform routine operation, maintenance, and repair of boilers, HVAC, and mechanical equipment inside and outside the plant. Work under supervision, with potential supervision of other staff.

The role requires about one year of experience with boilers and HVAC in commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities, and involves responding to urgent problems during nights, weekends, or holidays as

Qualifications

• Experience in operation, maintenance, and repair of boilers, HVAC, and/or auxiliary plant utilities equipment in commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities.
• Open Competitive: one year of experience in the operation, maintenance, and repair of boilers, HVAC, and/or auxiliary plant utilities equipment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and adjust HVAC and boiler systems; respond to trouble calls.
• Record gas, steam, water, and electric meter readings; complete logs and QA forms.
• Assist with preventive maintenance and minor repairs under supervision.
• Provide guidance to Facility Operations Assistants on routine tasks and inspections.
• Support plant alarm and building management systems and monitor controls.

Skills

HVAC operation

Maintenance

Troubleshooting

Job description

Distinguishing Characteristics
Plant Utilities Assistants are semiskilled employees who perform routine, repetitive tasks in the operation, maintenance, and repair of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and mechanical equipment inside and outside physical plants. This includes equipment such as stationary steam or high-temperature hot water boilers. Incumbents may also perform journey-level activities under supervision or after receiving detailed instructions to build their skills.

Job Description
Plant Utilities Assistants are semiskilled employees who perform routine, repetitive tasks in the operation, maintenance, and repair of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and mechanical equipment inside and outside physical plants. This includes equipment such as stationary steam or high-temperature hot water boilers. Incumbents may also perform journey-level activities under supervision or after receiving detailed instructions to build their skills.

Plant Utilities Assistants typically work under the supervision of a Plant Utilities Engineer 1 or another higher-level plant utilities position. In turn, they may supervise Facility Operations Assistants 1 (Utilities) and related labor class roles.

Related Classes

• Facility Operations Assistants 1 (Utilities): Perform unskilled and semiskilled manual tasks related to HVAC and mechanical equipment rooms.
• Plant Utilities Engineers 1: Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair equipment related to heating, hot water, HVAC, and electrical systems.
• Service & Repair Assistants (HVAC-R): Perform routine inspections and service on refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.
• Service & Repair Mechanics (HVAC-R): Perform operation, maintenance, and installation of HVAC-R systems, and may supervise and train other staff.

Illustrative Tasks

• Console Monitoring and Reporting
• Monitor equipment consoles and adjust controls as needed
• Analyze console readings, logs, charts, and respond to trouble calls
• Record gas, steam, water, and electric meter readings
• Complete logs, incident reports, and quality assurance forms
• Notify supervisor of necessary repairs
• Receive and distribute fuel to all program sites
• Preventive Maintenance
• Assist with HVAC preventive maintenance tasks under supervision
• Use treatment chemicals for water systems
• Clean strainers and coils
• Maintain steam traps
• Change air filters
• Regenerate water softeners
• Install and remove window AC units
• Check refrigerant levels, identify type and prepare system for recharge
• Minor Repairs and Mechanical Assistance
• Replace worn gaskets and belts
• Tighten joints
• Assist in overhauling boilers and maintaining stationary equipment
• Plumbing, Electrical, and Refrigeration Tasks
• Rebuild or repair water regulator valves
• Thread, solder, glue, and install piping
• Repack pumps and valves
• Assist with plant alarm and signal systems
• Help monitor building management systems including HVAC and boiler controls
• Clean mechanical rooms

On nights, weekends, or holidays, respond to urgent mechanical, plumbing, or electrical problems.

Instruction and Oversight

Provide guidance and instruction to Facility Operations Assistants 1 (Utilities) and other labor class workers on routine tasks and equipment inspections.

Qualifications

Open Competitive: one year of experience in the operation, maintenance, and repair of boilers, HVAC, and/or auxiliary plant utilities equipment in commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities.