Plant Utilities Assistant (NY HELPS)

The duties that the incumbent of the vacancy will be expected to perform. Duties Description Plant Utilities Assistants perform semiskilled tasks in a safe and efficient manner by operating and maintaining steam or high temperature hot water boilers rated at 15 pounds per square inch or more; maintain and repair boilers for heating systems, air conditioning, chillers, pumps, domestic hot water, ventilation, other power plant auxiliary equipment, and electrical distribution and mechanical stationary equipment. May supervise Plant Utilities Helpers in performing routine manual labor. Experienced incumbents may be assigned a limited number of activities requiring the full performance level skills of a Plant Utilities Engineer 1. Positions involve shift work within a 24-hour work schedule which includes night and holiday shifts.Plant Utilities Assistants are typically supervised by a Plant Utilities Engineer 1 who makes assignments and provides assistance and instruction. Plant Utilities Assistants perform many of the tasks with considerable independence although the supervisor may be called when a problem arises. Plant Utilities Assistants perform some of the same tasks as a Plant Utilities Engineer 1, under direction and specific instruction. As assigned, Plant Utilities Assistants supervise Plant Utilities Helpers by making assignments, giving instructions and providing assistance in performing the work.Plant Utilities Assistants must possess a variety of skill sets to meet the daily maintenance needs of this facility. Under the Plant Utility Engineer, this Title performs a variety of semiskilled maintenance, repair, and related activities within Facilities Management. The position performs routine replacement and repair of plumbing and steam fitting equipment and installation of new equipment, according to layouts provided by the supervisor, by cutting, fitting, and threading pipe; removing existing pipes and fixtures; repairing and adjusting thermostats, locating and unplugging stoppages; and insulating steam lines. Operates and maintains heating and hot water equipment under supervision by replacing parts, such as filters and pumps; cleaning equipment and fireboxes; replacing and adjusting components. Performs the routine tasks of the electrical trade, including repairing electrical equipment suchas motors, and other appliances; replacing brushes on large electric motors; laying and repairing electrical cables and wires; installing and maintaining lighting fixtures, outlets, and switches.Additional tasks: • Monitors equipment consoles.• Reads, analyzes and follows up on all console readings, charts, and trouble calls.• Adjusts equipment controls to correct malfunction when indicated by observation or in response to a signal.• Reads and records gas, steam, and water meter readings.• Fills out incident and Quality Assurance Reports.• Advises supervisor when repairs are required.• Receives and distributes fuel supplies required for all program locations.• Performs preventive maintenance on heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems.• As instructed, and under the guidance and supervision of qualified personnel, uses specific chemicals to treat water used in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.• Cleans strainers and condenser coils.• Maintains steam traps.• Changes filters.• Determines if refrigeration system is low on refrigerant; if so, identifies type and amount of refrigerant needed, and prepares system for charge.• Regenerates water softeners.• Installs, removes, washes and stores window air conditioners.• Performs minor repairs such as replacing worn gaskets, changing belts and tightening joints, and assisting the Plant Utilities Engineers 1 in the maintenance and overhaul of boilers and in the repair of stationary equipment.• Performs supervised plumbing, electrical and refrigeration work.• Determines if water regulator valves need rebuilding or repair.• Threads, solders or glues and installs pipe, using proper types of pipe and fittings.• Re-packs pumps and valves.• Assists in the repair, maintenance and operation of alarm and signal systems• Assists in the operation of energy management systems related to the control of clocks, lighting, filtering systems, HVAC and boiler energy management systems, etc.• Cleans mechanical rooms.• As assigned, during night shifts, weekends or on holidays, Plant Utilities Assistants respond to calls concerning mechanical, electrical or plumbing breakdowns outside of the plant, troubleshoot the problem, and if possible make necessary repairs, or advise the appropriate authority regarding the problem.• Provides instructions to Plant Utilities Helpers and Maintenance Helpers on routine jobs and equipment inspections.

The minimum qualifications required for this vacancy. Minimum Qualifications 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;Or 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;Or 3. Must have been an enlisted power generation equipment repairer with the U.S. Army;Or 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;Or 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;Or 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);Or 7. Possession of a High-Pressure Boiler Operating Engineer License or Stationary Engineer License;Or 8. A bachelor's degree in Facilities Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Marine Engineering;Or 9. An associate's degree in HVAC;Or 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;Or 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;Or 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: # 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: [(External Link)] . 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 ORBe 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 ORBe 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 requiredCandidates are expected to be qualified to use negative pressure respiratorsAdditional Information: The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, without exception, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University's crime statistics for the past three years; and disclosures regarding the University's current campus security policies. The University at Albany's Annual Security Report is available in portable document format [PDF] by clicking this link Pursuant to NYS Labor Law 194-A, no State entity, as defined by the Law, is permitted to rely on, orally or in writing seek, request, or require in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current wage, or salary history as a condition to be interviewed, or as a condition of continuing to be considered for an offer of employment until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation, and for the purpose of verifying information, may such requests be made. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at [email protected].

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