Position: HVAC Technician

Department: Public Buildings

Reports to: Director of Public Buildings

Affiliation: SEIU Local 888

Salary range: Per SEIU Local 888 Unit C Salary Schedule

SUMMARY: The HVAC technician shall be a certified HVAC technician of which will oversee the school and town’s public buildings and utility systems, including but not limited to refrigeration, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), steam, condensate, plumbing, fire protection, and electrical systems. They support the Director and are responsible for performing skilled level maintenance work in the installation, alteration, maintenance, and repair of all facility machines and equipment in accordance with standards practice. Performs other related work or other maintenance requirements as required.

This job requires initiative, organizational problem solving skills, and the ability to acquire knowledge of program operations, policies and procedures. Incumbents are expected to work independently and carry out preventative maintenance work and facility management details without requiring the immediate attention of an administrator(s) or building managers. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The essential functions or duties listed below are illustrations of the type of work that is performed and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for by this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Other duties may be assigned.

• Develops a preventative maintenance plan, to include goals, in order to reduce reactive or corrective maintenance cost, lessen the likelihood of equipment failing, decrease equipment downtime, and better plan for capital plan replacement.
• Carry out regular/routine checks and perform preventative maintenance on various equipment and facilities throughout the Town’s public buildings. Use precision testing equipment to perform activities when needed. (e.g. changes belts and filters, greases motors, checks compressors, pumps and HVAC equipment, cleans/lubricates shafts, bearings, gears and other machinery parts, cleans air handling units, checks fan/blowers, temperature bearings, test motors, diagnose heating and cooling problems, checks water systems and test emergency generators)
• Takes/manages inventory of the town’s equipment in order to generate, manage and implement a preventative maintenance plan.
• Uses preventative maintenance software to create/manage a regular schedule (or triggers) to generate work orders to execute preventative maintenance according to equipment manufacture or other town, state, federal regulations.
• Reviews manufacture’s operation manual to determine optimum frequency of preventative maintenance.
• Develop/manage a list of tools and supplies needed in order to complete preventative maintenance work.
• Train the maintenance and custodial staff on the preventative maintenance plan and the roles they play in entering, planning, executing, and closing preventative maintenance work.
• Record work activities including all procurement and maintenance cost.
• Generate monthly/annual reports on established privative plan goals and adjust the plan based on the results.
• Assist the Director with Capital Plan and Budget developments taking into account the risk management associated with equipment replacements.
• Diagnoses malfunctioning systems, apparatus, and components, using test equipment and hand tools, to locate the cause of a breakdown and correct the problem.
• Notify technicians and/or generate work orders when it is noticed equipment has failed or is outside the preventative maintenance realm.
• Responsible for seeking technological advancements that better enhance the maintenance processes.
• Complies with laws and regulations regarding safety and adhere to all safety guidelines. Ensures the safety standard are maintained before, during and after performing duties.
• Required to assist in activities of other department members, technicians or sub-contractors.
• Expresses ideas on program and problems clearly and concisely orally and in writing in the English language.
• Performs other similar or related work as required, or as situation dictates
• Maintains current HVAC or plumbing licenses or identification card to meet governmental regulations.
• Performs additional job-related maintenance duties as assigned by the Director of Public Buildings

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITES: None

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The Superintendent may waive or modify the qualification requirements. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

SKILLS are required to perform multiple tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; applying district and program policies and procedures; planning and managing projects; preparing and maintaining accurate records; and troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. Must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percent’s, and/or ratios; read technical information, compose a variety of documents, and/or facilitate group discussions; and solve practical problems. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: a thorough knowledge of the tools, techniques and procedures used to maintain equipment; knowledge of hand and power tools.

ABILITY to operate and maintain motor equipment, power tools and hand tools; ability to interact in an effective manner with fellow employees, managers, and other departments; ability to read and understand all instructions and diagrams for the installation of equipment; ability to respond and act quickly in emergencies to minimize down time due to equipment failure.

Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using defined methods. Ability is also required to work with a diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of varied types and/or purposes; and utilize specific, job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited. Specific ability-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; adapting to changing work priorities; and meeting deadlines and schedules.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Education: High school or vocational school diploma, with advanced technical training. (Associates degree preferred)

Additional Requirements:

Valid Massachusetts Drivers License

For HVAC or Plumber - Technician License prescribed by your trade

EPA Universal 608 Certification or ability to obtain within 6 months

Experience:

Job related experience with increasing level of responsibility desired

Minimum of five years of facility maintenance experience (Experience in mechanical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, electrical plumbing and refrigeration is preferred)

Supervisory skills in small construction/repair projects or building maintenance preferred

Experience/knowledge of occupational hazards and necessary safety precautions

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Clearances: Criminal Justice/Fingerprint Clearance

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: Moderate to strenuous physical effort is required to perform duties. The employee is frequently required to use hands to operate equipment, walk, stand, speak and hear, reach with hands and arms, balance, crouch, crawl, stoop, and climb. Stamina is required to work in adverse weather conditions; required to work in confined spaces and lift or move items weighing up to 60, and sometimes more than 100, pounds. Physical ability is required to use equipment, power and hand tools, lifts and use heavy equipment. Vision requirements include the ability to read and analyze documents, use a computer and operate a motor vehicle. The job is performed in a generally hazard free environment.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Most tasks require visual perception and discrimination and the ability to distinguish color. The employee must be able to input information into a computer and as well as read material from a computer monitor as well as printed matter with or without visual aids. The employee must be able to communicate effectively other staff members in order to exchange accurate information.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The noise level in this environment is quiet to loud depending on the activity and the particular part of the day and location. The employee interacts with other staff members and occasionally must meet multiple demands from several people.

Work is performed indoors and some outdoors work, with exposure to adverse weather conditions; frequently required to work in proximity to high voltage power sources, work in confined spaces and in high places. The employee is required to respond to weather-related emergencies.

The employee operates standard office equipment, hand, pneumatic and power tools, trucks and light equipment. The employee must be able to drive to various buildings within the district throughout the day.

Errors in decisions could result in injury to others, delay or loss of service, damage to buildings or equipment, monetary loss, and legal repercussions.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

Equal Opportunity Employer Watertown Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.