"Utility Plant Operator (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration) - Mount Wachusett Community College"

Job Description

General Statement of Duties:

Incumbents in this position of this specialty install heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment including related fixtures; check heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment for malfunctions; maintain and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment; heating to mean any system that provides heating/cooling to an occupied and/or non-occupied area such as electrical baseboard, hydroponic baseboard, etc.

In addition, incumbents of positions in this specialty operate, maintain and repair heating and air conditioning chiller systems; operate electronic controls for heating and air conditioning systems; monitor and assist in general-including but not limited to: mechanical and/or electrical repairs on power distribution, chilled water, gas (propane or natural), domestic and de-ionized water, signal systems, fire alarm, security systems, remote building equipment monitoring, sanitary, acid waste and storm drain systems. Perform non-licensed maintenance work as needed on electrical and/or plumbing and/or perform related work as required.

Responsibilities:

• Operates, maintains and repairs heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, including chilled water recirculating pumps, chilled water condenser pumps, air compressors, firehouse fans, air-supply and recirculating fans, electric heating coils, electric cabinet unit heaters, electric baseboard radiation units, pedestal electric baseboard heating units, cooling coils and chilled water BTU meters, hyperchlorite water treatment system, high voltage main driver motors and refrigeration compressors.
• Operates a high voltage power distribution system including switches on generating equipment; operates, maintains and repairs generators and related equipment.
• Operates and maintains a sewerage and drainage system and a neutralized acid waste system, including pressurized main drain system and associated equipment.
• Inspects machinery; reads meters and gauges; performs tests on chilled water and, boiled water and sea water to control pollution and quality of water; starts and stops equipment and machinery according to schedules.
• Operates, maintains and repairs piping systems such as those for methane and carbon monoxide gas monitoring and evaluation.
• Maintains operating logs, records and reports on all equipment; draws stock and materials for maintenance and repairs; measures and reports fuel levels to appropriate personnel.
• Implements the lubrication schedule for heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment and auxiliary equipment.
• Installs heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, including controls and related fixtures such as air and water filters and piping by using refrigeration, pipe fitting and structural layout techniques, blueprints, appropriate machines, tools and work aids to join tubing and/or pipes; to cut and thread pipes; to solder or braze joints; to mount compressor and condenser units; and to connect motors, compressors, temperature controls, humidity controls and circulating ventilation fans to electrical power sources.
• Checks equipment for malfunctioning by observing pressure and vacuum gauges and other indicators; by adjusting controls in testing joints and connections for gas leaks; by injecting refrigerant and adjustment valves, controls and pumps; and by using testing equipment such as voltmeters, ohmmeters, amprobes, etc. to ensure proper operation.
• Maintains, rebuilds and repairs by replacing worn or defective parts such as switches, fuses, thermostats and electrical wiring; by pumping specified gas or fluids into systems; by adding necessary liquids; by lubricating motors and bearings; and by changing filters.
• Calculates heat loads for new installations; analyzes and treats both open and closed water systems such as cooling towers by adding algericides to prevent the spread of airborne bacteria.
• Performs related work such as making and assembling metal ducts and chassis parts for heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems; drilling holes for mounting brackets; screwing, boring, riveting and welding parts to assemble structural and functional components such as motors, controls, switches and gauges; and installing shells and cabinets of systems.

Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Applicants must possess a current and valid Massachusetts Refrigeration Technician's License, Universal EPA Certification
• Five years of technical experience in the installation, maintenance and repair of heating, refrigeration, ventilating and air conditioning systems, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

A certificate or diploma from a recognized institution above the high school level, as evidence of completion of a two year program in refrigeration and heating, may be substituted for one year of the required experience.*

*Education toward such a certificate or diploma will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques used in the operation of a power plant.
2. Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of large electrical heating systems.
3. Knowledge of the types and uses of electronic (Direct Digital Control Systems (DDC)) control systems including Building Automation System (BAS) head end.
4. Knowledge of the operation, maintenance and repair of fire alarm systems, signal systems and control systems for mechanical and electrical systems.
5. Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of outside electrical systems such as underground cables, transformer subsystems and vaults and sub-transmission lines.
6. Knowledge of the operating characteristics of electrical generating systems.
7. Knowledge of the types and uses of industrial type heating systems including biomass boilers.
8. Knowledge of the principles of pneumatics as applied to heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems.
9. Knowledge of the types and uses of pneumatic controls used in power plant operations.
10. Knowledge of calibration and/or adjustment techniques as applied to pneumatic control systems.
11. Knowledge of the fundamentals of electrical practice.
12. Knowledge of the types and uses of precision measuring equipment used in a power plant such as manometers, voltmeters, anemometers, tachometers, etc.
13. Knowledge of the types and uses of pumps used in water and fuel systems.
14. Knowledge of the methods and techniques of pipefitting.
15. Knowledge of the principles of operation of internal combustion engines.
16. Knowledge of the types and uses of chemicals used in water treatment.
17. Skill in using hand power tools such as drills, electric saws, etc.
18. Skill in using small hand tools such as wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, hacksaws and pipe threading machine.
19. Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
20. Ability to lift heavy objects.
21. Ability to deal tactfully with others.
22. Ability to adjust to changing situations to meet emergency or changing program or production requirements.
23. Ability to understand and apply the laws, rules and regulations governing assigned unit activities.
24. Ability to explain the procedures, guidelines, policies, etc. governing assigned unit activities.
25. Ability to use tools and equipment required for maintaining and repairing power plant and utility distribution systems.
26. Ability to do routine electrical and mechanical repair work.
27. Ability to read gauges, adjust equipment and observe the operation of machinery including knowledge and application of preventative measure for machinery and equipment.
28. Ability to read and interpret building plans and control and wiring schematics.
29. Ability to read and interpret documents such as plans, specifications, blueprints, drawings, technical manuals, etc.
30. Ability to maintain accurate records.
31. Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
32. Ability to communicate effectively in oral expression.
33. Ability to perform arithmetical calculations with speed and accuracy (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division).
34. Ability to distinguish colors.
35. Ability to give oral instructions in a precise, understandable manner.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in a College setting with multiple boilers, HVACR equipment, Chillers, Biomass boilers is highly desired.

Equivalency Statement

Applicants who do not meet the qualifications as stated above are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience have prepared them with the equivalent combination of education, training and experience required for the responsibilities of this position.

Additional Information:

Salary: $64,255.10-$91,039.78

*An appointment made from outside the bargaining unit will be at step one unless the collective bargaining agreement dictates otherwise.*

Grade: 18
Employee Status: Full Time
Benefits: Yes
Hours per Week: 40 7:00 AM-3:30 PM Mon-Fri
Number of Weeks: 52