"Plant Utilities Assistant (NY HELPS) - University at Albany"

Job Details

Vacancy #: WF250063

Apply by: April 1, 2026

Title: Plant Utilities Assistant (NY HELPS)

Location: Power Plant

Salary: $42,641

Grade: SG-9 (CSEA)

Hours: Tuesday thru Saturday 11pm-7am (pass days Sunday/Monday) - training to be completed Monday thru Friday 7am-3pm

Duration: Contingent Permanent

Job Requirements

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

For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title maybe filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

NON-COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (NY HELPS):

Either 1. Graduate of heating, HVAC, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration apprenticeship program from the U.S. Air Force;
2. 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;
3. Must have been an enlisted power generation equipment repairer with the U.S. Army;
4. 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;
5. 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;
6. 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);
7. Possession of a High-Pressure Boiler Operating Engineer License or Stationary Engineer License;
8. A bachelor's degree in Facilities Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Marine Engineering;
9. An associate's degree in HVAC;
10. 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;
11. 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;
12. 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 (See Note #2);

Note #1: Information regarding qualifying New York State Department of Labor recognized apprenticeship programs can be found here.

Note #2: Certification programs must be accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) or recognized by the New York State Education Department Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (BPSS). Information on ACCSC accredited programs can be found here. Information on BPSS recognized proprietary schools can be found here.

COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (NON-NY HELPS):

Candidates must have a reachable score on the University at Albany Plant Utilities Assistant Exam List OR
Be a current NYS employee and have a current permanent appointment with 1 year of service as a Plant Utilities Assistant, or in a title eligible to transfer to Plant Utilities Assistant OR
Be a former NYS employee eligible for reinstatement to the title of Plant Utilities Assistant

May be filled from a mandatory reemployment list if one is in effect at the time of appointment.

Any applications received that do not meet the above requirements as described will be deemed unqualified.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Operational needs:
Valid NYS Driver's License required
Candidates are expected to be qualified to use negative pressure respirators