Summary

VCU’s Facilities Management Department is seeking to hire an Instrumentation and Controls Technician in the Steam Plant. The steam plant is a 24/7/365 day operation, and the main steam plant consists of three 125,000 lbs/hour boilers with typical loads ranging from 35,000 lbs/hour (summer) and up to 135,000 lbs/hour (winter).

The Instrumentation and Controls Technician is responsible for the maintenance and repair of MCV and MPC steam plants and distribution systems, ensuring that each plant operates reliably, efficiently, and at all times in compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

Additional duties include (but are not limited to):

• Maintain, repair electrical, instrumentation, and control equipment providing utilities for Hospital, Academic, and State buildings
• Ensure long equipment life, operating efficiency, and equipment availability by following accepted procedures
• Use solid inspection techniques to detect and correct problems at an early stage to avoid costly problems later
• Utilize troubleshooting skills to remedy malfunctions and return equipment to full functionality in minimum time, maximizing revenue and profitability, and minimizing costs
• Work assigned shifts including weekends and overtime as required
• Work during inclement weather
• At times work other than normal shifts
• 24-hour rotational on-call status is required
• Make repairs and perform preventive maintenance tasks as needed
• Follow safety procedures to guard against burns, electric shock, noise, dangerous moving parts, and exposure to hazardous materials
• Interface with customers ensuring needs are met should problems arise
• Demonstrate competency through successful completion of maintenance tasks and repair situations

Specific Knowledge

• Conduit Machine Bending: Perform bends on all sizes of conduit up to six inches utilizing mechanical, hydraulic, and/or electrical benders
• Hydraulic Controls: Understand hydraulic principles and fluids, device functions & controls, symbols & drawings, and safety considerations; understand troubleshooting applications
• Pneumatic Controls: Understand pneumatic systems & drawings, and system safety, functions, and control of components
• Motor Operated Valves: Service and maintain small servo-mechanical valve actuators to large electrical, pneumatic, and/or hydraulic motor operators
• Standby & Emergency Systems: Installation, utilization, and maintenance for standby and emergency electrical systems

Global Knowledge

• Perform responsibilities ranging from advanced to supervisory levels in support of specialty activities; provide leadership, guidance, and supervision to staff where required
• Provide technical assistance to others and perform detailed reviews of related projects
• Maintain project correspondence and records from conception to completion; ensure timeliness and accuracy of research and compilation of data
• Determine work processes and methods that are the most appropriate to accomplish technical assignments; rely on experience and judgement to accomplish tasks

Steam Plants and Distribution Systems Safety and Environmental

• Follow proper safety procedures at all times
• Understanding of all potential hazards and the safety systems that provide protection
• Practice required Lockout/Tagout procedures when performing maintenance and repairs
• Know the locations of all fire extinguishers, emergency showers, and eyewash stations

Essential Qualities

• Technical skills: Ability to diagnose and repair complex systems and machines
• Manual Dexterity: Must use precise motions to control, maintain, or repair equipment; grasp tools and use hands to perform many tasks; a steady hand and good coordination
• Mechanical skills: Use hand tools and soldering irons on small circuitry and electronic parts to build components by hand; ability to operate, maintain, and repair equipment
• Problem Solving Skills: Ability to identify and fix problems that arise in assembling and inspections designs and prototypes; must figure out how things work and solve problems

Work Environment

• Typically work in areas containing electrical switchgear, piping, valves, and machinery
• May be exposed to high temperatures, dust, dirt, and loud noise from equipment
• Maintenance and repair duties may require contact with oil, grease, fuel oil, and smoke
• Much time is spent on feet lifting heavy materials, climbing ladders, and work in tight spaces
• May have to crawl inside cabinets, boilers, vessels, tanks, etc. and work while crouched, or kneel to inspect, clean, or repair equipment

Training

• Trin on-the-job under the supervision of experienced electrical, instrumentation, and controls (EI&C) technicians
• Participate in self-learning activities for performing role duties
• OJT may be supplemented by courses at trade, vocational, or technical schools
• After competence, move on to complicated tasks; use tasks to refine knowledge and skills
• Update skills in the profession regularly, especially when new equipment is introduced
• NCCER Training Workbook: Industrial Maintenance Electrical & Instrument Tech (Vol 3-4)

Minimum Hiring Standards

• High school graduate, GED, or equivalent
• General maintenance knowledge or experience in steam or industrial settings
• General computer skills
• Familiarity with basic safety and environmental rules/procedures
• Good interpersonal communication, role model, operational, and professional excellence skills
• Valid Driver’s license required
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU

Preferred Hiring Standards

• Several years knowledge and experience in steam boiler or industrial steam plants preferred
• Electrical, instrumentation, and controls training or education program completed
• Engineering, Military, or combined experience
• Experience in University, Boiler Plant, Power Plant, or Central District Heating systems preferred
• Combined education and experience in repairing electrical and/or technical experience
• Strong technical abilities for analyzing and working on various systems
• Strong communication skills to collaborate with colleagues and interact with clients preferred

Required Licensure/Certification

• Valid Driver’s license required

Physical and Cognitive Requirements

Physical Demands & Activities

Light Lifting (<20 lbs): Essential
Moderate Lifting (20-50 lbs): Essential
Heavy Lifting (>50 lbs): Marginal
Pushing/Pulling: Marginal
Standing: Essential
Sitting: Marginal
Repetitive Motion: Marginal
Walking: Essential
Climbing: Essential
Reaching: Essential
Bending: Essential

Environmental Conditions

Extreme heat/cold: Essential
Extreme Noise: Essential
Vibrations: Essential
Fumes: Essential
Mists/gases: Essential

Emotional Demands

Fast pace: Essential
Average Pace: Essential
Multiple Stimuli: Essential
Intense Customer Interaction: Essential
Frequent Change: Essential

Mental/Sensory Demands

Memory: Essential
Reasoning: Essential
Hearing: Essential
Reading: Essential
Analyzing: Essential
Logic: Essential
Verbal Communication: Essential
Written Communication: Essential

Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000

Work Days/Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm, 12-hr shifts and on-call

ORP Eligible: No

VCU Job Code: Sr Electrical, Instrumentation, & Control Tech FM 1-3 (17154-17156)

Close Date: April 14, 2024

Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000

Position Details:

Department: Facilities Management, E&U Operations
Employment Type: UF - University Employee FT
Restricted Status: No
FTE: 1
Exemption Status: Non-Exempt