Plant Utilities Assistant, NY HELPS

State University of New York at Buffalo; New York (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established public research university is seeking a dedicated Plant Utilities Assistant to join its Facilities Campus Operations team. This role involves maintaining and repairing essential mechanical systems, including boilers and chillers, while ensuring optimal performance and safety. The ideal candidate will possess strong troubleshooting skills and a solid understanding of HVAC technologies. With a commitment to excellence and a supportive work environment, this position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the university's mission while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package. If you are ready to take on this rewarding challenge, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits

Comprehensive Health Plan

Retirement Plan Options

Work-Life Balance Initiatives

Professional Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• Understanding of HVAC systems and their operation.
• Ability to troubleshoot mechanical and electrical issues.
• Experience with maintenance of boilers and chillers.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair chiller, boilers, and pumps.
• Respond to mechanical, electrical, or plumbing breakdowns.
• Check mechanical rooms for correct operation of equipment.

Skills

Heating and Ventilation

Customer Service Skills

Mechanical Troubleshooting

Electrical Systems Knowledge

Plumbing Systems Knowledge

Education

High School Diploma

Associate's Degree in HVAC

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

Boilers

Chillers

Pumps

Electrical Equipment

Job description

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 include:

• 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.
• Experienced incumbents may be assigned a limited number of activities requiring the full performance level skills of a Plant Utilities Engineer 1.

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 .

University at Buffalo is an affirmative action equal opportunity employer and, in keeping with our commitment, welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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

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

OR

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; 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 lift 50 pounds, climb 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 stand, walk, lift, carry, reach, push and pulling of material and equipment and must be able to perform the physical demands of the position as outlined in the Position Summary.

Salary Range

Salary Range $42,641

Additional Salary Information

Work Days

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

Work Hours

Rotating Shifts

Job Type

Job Type Full-Time

Campus

Campus All Campuses

Posting Alerts

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

Is a background check required for this posting?

Is a background check required for this posting? Yes

Background Check Notification For non-internal applicants: a selected candidate will have to complete and pass a background check prior to appointment.

Contact Information

Contact's Name

Contact's Pronouns

Contact's Title

Contact's Title Plant Utilities Engineer 3

Contact's Email

Contact's Phone

Contact's Phone [phone]

Posting Dates

Posted

Posted 04/28/2025

Date to be Filled

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Please indicate your current employment affiliation with the University at Buffalo.
  • Faculty
  • Faculty Student Association (FSA)
  • Research Foundation Employee
  • State Classified
  • State Professional
  • UB Foundation
  • TA/GA
  • Student
  • No Current Employment Affiliation
• * How did you first hear about this employment opportunity?
  • AcademicKeys.com
  • CareerExposure.com
  • CareerWomen.com
  • Chronicle of Higher Education
  • DiversitySearch.com
  • GoogleJobs.com
  • HERCjobs.org
  • HigherEdJobs.com
  • IMDiversity.com
  • Indeed.com
  • LinkedIn.com
  • MBACareers.com
  • Conference
  • Personal Referral
  • UBJobs.buffalo.edu
  • Other
• * Please select your eligibility for application to this position.
  • 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).
  • I do not meet any of the above requirements.

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].

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