Heating and Plumbing Aide ($3K New Hire Bonus Payment)

About NRHA Founded in 1940, the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) provides low-income families in Norfolk, Virginia with safe and well-maintained housing. It also plans and administers large-scale residential redevelopment programs within Norfolk.

NRHA is an award-winning public housing authority that has been effective in obtaining private investment partners to fund new neighborhoods; improving low-income public housing; planning and building mixed-income communities; and offering programs that support residents receiving rental assistance on their path to self-sufficiency. NRHA aims to create and apply meaningful housing and neighborhood development programs to serve all residents of Norfolk, Virginia.

NRHA looks for people who want to work in a challenging and progressive environment and make a positive difference in the community.

About the Position NRHA seeks qualified candidates for the position of Heating and Plumbing Aide. The job holder performs routine maintenance, repairs, and replacements at public housing apartment units and buildings. The position is located at the Calvert Square public housing community.Performs semi-skilled work in the operation, maintenance, and repair of industrial boiler plants and associated equipment to heating, hot and cold water, and plumbing services to public housing communities and recreational centers. Assists in the maintenance, repair, and inspection of non-boiler heating systems of public housing communities and authority-managed properties. Monitors industrial and commercial boiler plant systems. May respond and acts on routine boiler plant trouble calls. Repairs underground piping. Assists in the operation, maintenance, and repair of heating cogenerator systems. Participates on special assigned projects. Maintains current knowledge of heating system and boiler maintenance methods and techniques.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

Assists in the operation, maintenance, and repair of industrial boiler plants and associated equipment to provide heating, hot and cold water, and plumbing services to public housing communities and recreational centers. Operates, maintains, and repairs preheat, heat exchanger, fuel oil, and piping systems; operates, repairs and maintains pumps, burners, electrical controls, mechanical controls, and pneumatic controls; operates and maintains and safety devices; repairs and replaces boiler tubes, temperature/pressure sensors, blowers, motors, and solenoids; operates, maintains, and repairs air compressors and associated systems; and repairs and replaces couplings, seal/bearing assemblies in heat pumps.

Assists in the maintenance, repair, and inspection of non-boiler heating systems of public housing communities and authority-managed properties: examines, maintains, and repairs heat pumps (including horizontal and vertical water source heat pumps), commercial oil furnaces, gas furnaces, and gas tanks; troubleshoots heating system problems; and inspects finished work.

Monitors industrial and commercial boiler plant systems: checks and records pressures, temperatures, and water levels; responds to system alarms and resets boilers, pumps, and breakers; examines plant systems and identifies problems; troubleshoots plant system problems; and monitors operation of air compressors and troubleshoots system problems.

Responds and acts on routine boiler plant trouble calls: responds, investigates, evaluates, and implements corrective procedures to repair heating/plumbing piping and radiators.

Repairs underground piping: trenches around underground piping using blueprints and metal detector to locate pipe; pumps out water from pipe; breaks concrete; measures, cuts, and threads piping; brazes and welds piping; insulates piping; and restores trenched area to original condition.

Assists in the operation, maintenance, and repair of heating cogenerator systems.

Participates on special assigned projects, including but not limited to water conservation projects: replaces and installs new water saving fixtures and devices in housing units; fabricates and installs boilers systems support; maintenance, repairs, or installs equipment in scattered housing sites; works with various contractors to complete job.

Maintains current knowledge of heating system and boiler maintenance methods and techniques.

Performs other related work as required.

About the ideal candidate

High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) required.

One to two years of operation and maintenance in heat generation systems and related and equipment experience.

Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience necessary to obtain the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certification in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Heating, or Plumbing is required.

Valid and current driver’s license and satisfactory driving record are required.

Gas Certification and Boilermaker title may be required for assignments.

Personal heating and plumbing tools are required.

General knowledge of installing, repairing, and maintaining heating boilers and domestic heating units and systems; includes knowledge of heating, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electrical principles, concepts, methods, and techniques related to heating system maintenance.

Operational knowledge of maintenance of small electric motors, pumps, and valves including replacing mechanical seals, bearings, packing valves and pumps, and repairing underground utility piping such as sewers, gas lines, water lines and storm sewers.

General knowledge of air compressors and its refrigeration components.

General knowledge of HUD regulations related to public housing construction and maintenance.

Considerable knowledge of safety standards and procedures associated with repair and maintenance.

Ability to use technical manuals, manufacturer’s manuals, and special instructions to determine repair procedures.

Considerable knowledge and skill in the use of standard heating and plumbing tools, including both hand and power tools; includes knowledge and skill in the operation of welding equipment; includes knowledge and skill in the use of precision measuring devices.

Skill and ability to read blueprints, schematics, and drawings related to plumbing.

Oral and written communications skills in order to give and receive complex information or instructions.

Requires human relations skill to interact with supervisor, coworkers, and public housing residents to give and receive complex information or instructions, and to work with others in a team environment.

Ability to exercise judgment in the performance of technical work duties.

Ability to exercise initiative in the performance of technical work duties.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, smell, see, or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 60 pounds. Job requires depth, color, and texture perception.

Candidates with one or more of the following job-related experience, training, and certifications will be preferred over other candidates for employment: Vocational training in general maintenance, construction or mechanics.

Those candidates who are selected for interview will be contacted directly by telephone. All other candidates will receive an email communication after the position is filled.

NRHA offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. The starting pay for this position is $37,440. The compensation offer will be determined by the candidate's work history and skill set. Benefits include VRS retirement; medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; short- and long-term disability insurance; tuition reimbursement options; public service loan forgiveness; and much more!

NRHA offers a total of $3,000 in payments to new hires in this position. A 90-day employment period is required to qualify for the full payment amount.

Want to make a positive difference in the community? NRHA is looking for you!

NRHA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants receive consideration for a position without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, or any other class protected by law. NRHA is an eVerify employer and reviews the eligibility of each employee to work in the United States. NRHA is a drug- and alcohol-free workplace. NRHA requires a criminal history record review for all positions. NRHA reserves the right to close or withdraw at any time any position it lists or advertises.