What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operating Engineer II position at City of Norfolk, VA?
Description
Norfolk, Virginia is America's most authentic and urban waterfront city. Home to the world's largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous publications. Working for the City of Norfolk is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. With our commitment to competitive pay and a strong retirement package, you can do good for your community and do well for yourself. Join a caring workplace that proudly celebrates uniqueness, authenticity, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of our residents.
The Facilities Maintenance Division of the Department of General Services is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of City-owned buildings and critical infrastructure systems. Within this division, the Central Energy Plant (CEP) provides heating, cooling, and energy management services for major city facilities, including City Hall, the School Administration Building, the City Jail, and Slover Library, along with other connected facilities throughout Norfolk. The CEP is staffed by Operating Engineers who monitor and maintain boilers, chillers, pumps, and building automation systems to ensure continuous, safe, and efficient operations.
The City of Norfolk is seeking qualified applicants for Operating Engineer II in the Central Energy Plant. This is a fixed-position role in a control room setting where the Operating Engineer monitors building automation systems, identifies and troubleshoots plant issues, and follows established procedures to ensure uninterrupted service to critical city facilities.
The role requires flexibility and reliability: engineers work 10-hour shifts on a rotating schedule, changing every four months. While teamwork is essential, the position also requires the ability to work independently for long periods while maintaining focus and attention to detail. The successful candidate must be comfortable in a monitoring role, able to identify system irregularities before they escalate, and committed to following through on established procedures.
Essential Functions
Work requires knowledge of technical, vocational, or mechanical systems obtained through one year of advanced study or training beyond high school equivalency.
Required
If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.
The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.
Non-City
Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.
01
The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.
If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A."
03
Please select the highest level of education you have completed.
Do you have at least two (2) years of experience operating or maintaining plant equipment such as boilers, chillers, or building automation systems?
Which DDC systems have you worked with? (Select all that apply)
How comfortable are you working alone in a control room environment for extended periods?
Are you able to work a rotating 10-hour shift schedule that includes nights, weekends, and holidays?
Which best describes your ability to identify plant issues before they escalate?
Have you ever been responsible for responding to alarms and taking corrective action in a plant or building system?
How would you describe your familiarity with standard operating procedures (SOPs) in a plant environment?
Which best describes your experience documenting plant operations or maintenance in a computerized maintenance management system?
Do you hold or have you held any of the following certifications? (Select all that apply)
This position requires attention to detail and proactive problem solving. Which statement best matches your approach?
Do you have a valid driver's license?
Do you have the legal right to work in the United States and, upon employment, can you provide documentation to verify this?
Please provide an explanation of any periods of unemployment that are 30 days or longer. Indicate N/A if you have not experienced any periods of unemployment.
17
Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?
Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)
Norfolk, Virginia is America's most authentic and urban waterfront city. Home to the world's largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous publications. Working for the City of Norfolk is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. With our commitment to competitive pay and a strong retirement package, you can do good for your community and do well for yourself. Join a caring workplace that proudly celebrates uniqueness, authenticity, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of our residents.
The Facilities Maintenance Division of the Department of General Services is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of City-owned buildings and critical infrastructure systems. Within this division, the Central Energy Plant (CEP) provides heating, cooling, and energy management services for major city facilities, including City Hall, the School Administration Building, the City Jail, and Slover Library, along with other connected facilities throughout Norfolk. The CEP is staffed by Operating Engineers who monitor and maintain boilers, chillers, pumps, and building automation systems to ensure continuous, safe, and efficient operations.
The City of Norfolk is seeking qualified applicants for Operating Engineer II in the Central Energy Plant. This is a fixed-position role in a control room setting where the Operating Engineer monitors building automation systems, identifies and troubleshoots plant issues, and follows established procedures to ensure uninterrupted service to critical city facilities.
The role requires flexibility and reliability: engineers work 10-hour shifts on a rotating schedule, changing every four months. While teamwork is essential, the position also requires the ability to work independently for long periods while maintaining focus and attention to detail. The successful candidate must be comfortable in a monitoring role, able to identify system irregularities before they escalate, and committed to following through on established procedures.
Essential Functions
- Operates and monitors building automation systems (DDC systems such as Siemens, Johnson Controls, or equivalent) to manage boilers, chillers, pumps, and auxiliary equipment.
- Identifies plant irregularities and takes corrective action using established operating procedures to ensure reliable service.
- Performs preventive and corrective maintenance on plant systems as assigned, documenting all work performed.
- Responds to alarms and system issues by troubleshooting, communicating with supervisors, and initiating corrective steps.
- Works rotating 10-hour shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to maintain 24/7 coverage of the CEP.
- Collaborates with other Operating Engineers and Facility Maintenance staff while also working independently to maintain plant reliability.
- Monitors emergency phone line and responds by connecting with appropriate City staff or contractors.
- Provides information to contractors and vendors accessing plant systems and verifies work as directed.
- Completes work order documentation in the City’s computerized maintenance management system.
Work requires knowledge of technical, vocational, or mechanical systems obtained through one year of advanced study or training beyond high school equivalency.
Required
- Two (2) years of experience in the operation, repair, or maintenance of boilers, chillers, building automation systems, or related plant equipment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience with Direct Digital Control (DDC) systems such as Siemens, Johnson Controls, Trane, or Automated Logic is highly desirable.
- Strong attention to detail, ability to work independently, and flexibility to cover rotating shifts.
- Valid Driver’s License required.
- Starting/Training Schedule will be Monday-Friday from 7am-3:30pm
- Regular schedule will be 4 days per week at 10 hours per day on a 4-month rotating schedule.
- Required Shift Schedule that rotates will be required to cover 24/7/365 operation of plant to include weekends, evenings, overnight, and holidays.
- Occasional overtime work will be required due to facility emergencies and/or contractor work scheduling.
- This position is eligible for a $5,000 signing bonus.
- Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.
- Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.
- Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.
- Retirement
If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.
- The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant’s school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.
The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.
Non-City
Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.
01
The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.
- I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.
If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A."
03
Please select the highest level of education you have completed.
- High School Diploma/GED
- Some College/Vocational Courses/Apprenticeship Training
- Associate degree
- Other educational experience
Do you have at least two (2) years of experience operating or maintaining plant equipment such as boilers, chillers, or building automation systems?
- Yes
- No
Which DDC systems have you worked with? (Select all that apply)
- Siemens
- Johnson Controls
- Trane
- Automated Logic
- Other
- No experience with DDC systems
How comfortable are you working alone in a control room environment for extended periods?
- Not comfortable
- Somewhat comfortable with training
- Comfortable and experienced
- Very comfortable, with strong independent decision-making skills
Are you able to work a rotating 10-hour shift schedule that includes nights, weekends, and holidays?
- Yes
- No
Which best describes your ability to identify plant issues before they escalate?
- No experience
- Basic awareness; rely on alarms and direct instructions
- Moderate ability; can recognize common system issues
- Strong ability; can anticipate and act proactively to prevent problems
Have you ever been responsible for responding to alarms and taking corrective action in a plant or building system?
- Yes, independently
- Yes, with supervision
- No
How would you describe your familiarity with standard operating procedures (SOPs) in a plant environment?
- Not familiar
- Basic understanding
- Regularly followed SOPs in past roles
- Experienced in developing or training others on SOPs
Which best describes your experience documenting plant operations or maintenance in a computerized maintenance management system?
- No experience
- Limited experience
- Regular use in past positions
- Expert user
Do you hold or have you held any of the following certifications? (Select all that apply)
- 2nd Class or higher Operating Engineer License
- Boiler Operator Certification
- EPA Refrigerant Certification
- None of the above
This position requires attention to detail and proactive problem solving. Which statement best matches your approach?
- I wait for direction before acting
- I handle issues as they occur
- I look for early signs of problems and act quickly to address them
- I anticipate potential issues and take preventive steps to avoid them
Do you have a valid driver's license?
- Yes
- No
Do you have the legal right to work in the United States and, upon employment, can you provide documentation to verify this?
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation of any periods of unemployment that are 30 days or longer. Indicate N/A if you have not experienced any periods of unemployment.
17
Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?
- Yes - I am a current City of Norfolk Employee
- Yes - I am a previous City of Norfolk Employee
- No - I am not a previous or current City of Norfolk employee
Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)
- I am not a Veteran
- I am a Veteran
- I am a Disabled Veteran
- Required Question