Job Category: Non-Exempt

PCLS: 60045

Salary Grade: F

Summary

Incumbents in the Central Energy Plant (CEP) Technician series maintain, repair, and install energy plant equipment and production/distribution systems. Incumbents apply journeyman skills and work as team members to accomplish tasks.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The CEP Technician Senior is distinguished from the CEP Technician Journeymen in that incumbents in the Senior level perform more complex work in the maintenance, repair, and installation of energy plant equipment and distribution systems and respond to critical buildings on and off campus to ensure energy plant equipment is operating properly and efficiently. Incumbents in the CEP Technician Senior level also train less senior technicians.

Reporting and Supervisory Responsibilities

The CEP Technician Senior reports to a Foreman. This classification provides technical guidance and direction to less senior technicians.

Typical Functions

1. Operates, cleans, and performs preventive maintenance on rotating and stationary equipment, including high pressure boilers, gas turbines, and auxiliary equipment to control the generation of steam, chilled water, electricity, and compressed air with programmable logic controller or desktop computer based controls.
2. Starts, stops, and reconfigures chilled water production to maintain the most efficient operating parameters necessary to meet the changing needs of the University.
3. Operates, cleans, and performs preventive maintenance on various kinds of refrigeration units, including centrifugal chillers, steam driven chillers, and heat exchangers.
4. Inspects equipment and corrects problems to ensure the safe and economical operation of all central energy plant equipment. Submits reports.
5. Maintains various records including maintenance logs, testing measurements, alarms, inspections, and time cards.
6. Cleans, lubricates, services, and performs maintenance and repair of all central energy plant equipment, such as replacing and/or repacking bearing and valves and repairing lines and rattling boiler tubes.
7. Overhauls, disassembles, and reassembles pumps, such as feed water, transfer, condensation, vacuum, and chemical pumps; checks for wear using micrometers and dial indicators.
8. Lays out, assembles, installs, and maintains pipe systems and related equipment.
9. Inspects and tests joints, valves, pumps, boilers, and other utility mechanical system components to locate malfunctions; makes repairs and replacements as necessary.
10. Installs, repairs, and maintains chilled water, steam, and condensation returns; natural gas, and other piping systems as related to the distribution of energy.
11. Troubleshoots, diagnoses, and repairs complex technical problems in the various types of equipment and systems.
12. Provides technical guidance and direction to less senior technicians.
13. Develops and studies plans, drawings, and specifications to determine work requirements and sequence of repairs or replacement as required for major projects or new installations.
14. Acts as a member of a commissioning team in the balancing of new systems and equipment to ensure proper and efficient operation.
15. Responds to emergency situations on an on-call basis.
16. Ensures proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies.
17. Promotes continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices.
18. Cleans equipment, shop area, and work site.
19. Acts as key technical representative in critical buildings.
20. Fills in for supervisor when absent.
21. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Advanced knowledge of steam (natural gas, chilled water, condensation) distribution principles.
2. Knowledge of high-pressure boilers, chilled water production units, compressors, turbines, generating units, and potable water systems.
3. Ability to test boiler and cooling water.
4. Ability to test systems and log results.
5. Knowledge of the tools, equipment, and materials common to the plumbing and welding trades.
6. Skilled in diagnosing, troubleshooting, and repairing all types of distribution systems and equipment.
7. Skilled in the installation, repair, and maintenance of plumbing, natural gas, chilled water, and utility piping systems.
8. Skilled in the design, fabrication, joining, and repair of metals piping, equipment, and structures.
9. Skilled in the installation, repair, and maintenance of all types of energy distribution/production systems.
10. Knowledge of electrical installation and maintenance techniques.
11. Skilled in the maintenance and repair of mechanical equipment and systems, including pumps, boilers, cooling towers, and chillers.
12. Knowledge of all applicable codes, standards, and regulations.
13. Ability to create, read, understand, and build to specifications from blueprints and schematic drawings.
14. Skilled in estimating time and material requirements for work projects.
15. Skilled in the use of various hand and power tools common to trade.
16. Basic computer skills.
17. Ability to work without supervision.
18. Ability to respond to emergency situations on an on-call basis.
19. Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers and customers.

Minimum Qualifications

Six years of directly related work experience in plumbing, pipefitting, mechanical trade, or related field is required.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

The position requires considerable physical activity. Employees must have sufficient strength to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position including heavy lifting and/or pushing and pulling of heavy objects. Employees must be prepared to assume uncomfortable positions such as crawling, kneeling, and squatting. Additionally, the work environment can include confined or narrow spaces. Employees must adhere to safety precautions and may be required to use protective equipment.

Disclaimer

This position description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to the position.