UTILITY SYSTEMS REPAIR OPERATOR

Position Summary:
This position performs a variety of duties as a shift operator associated with the operation of high-pressure hot water boilers, HVAC, medical gas systems, electrical, plumbing and grounds work. 

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
•    Observes instruments and checks records of pressures and temperatures located throughout the plant and hospital visually checks equipment/systems to see that it is operating properly. Studies and evaluate readings on a continuing basis to detect malfunctions in the flow process. Manipulates appropriate controls to maintain temperature, pressure, flow rates and process liquid levels; performs scheduled maintenance and routine or emergency minor repairs on mechanical equipment including cleaning, oiling and lubrication of components, repairing of pumps, valves, heat exchangers and other components of the various systems; monitors pH, alkalinity, hardness, and conductivity by periodic testing and adjusting the components parts to control the system. Procedures include establishing testing conditions, removing and cleaning electrodes, comparing instrument readings with electrodes immersed in standard buffer solutions, balancing instruments after observing testing reactions, replacing malfunctioning electrodes. Prepares effluent samples employing standard laboratory techniques and prepares chemical mixtures for introduction into process fluids; carries out the maintenance function of chemical cleaning of process piping and heat exchangers and on closed loop systems.
•    Installs, trouble-shoots, and repairs heating units/systems in boilers which transfer high temperature water to provide heat for buildings and power for the operation of facilities. The systems include natural gas/propane fired boilers, a variety of complex auxiliary components, automatic controls, circulating systems, super heaters, pre-heaters, converters, pumps, piping, etc. Inspects, adjusts, and replaces/repairs thermostats, switches, fuel cut-off apparatus, burners, stockers, fuel feed, etc. Removes assemblies and reassembles after cleaning filters, strainers, ignition electrodes, adjusting dampers, etc. Reads and interprets blueprints and technical manuals to understand the functions of parts/systems, plan and layout work, and aid in finding faulty parts/systems. Determines the order of assembling parts, repair techniques, adjustment/calibration techniques, and what tools/equipment is needed. 
•    Operates, maintains, modifies, repairs, and troubleshoots refrigeration and air conditioning equipment for the hospital. Attends pneumatic, electric, and electronic controls including 

microcomputer control equipment that operates standard electric driven compressors, centrifugal absorption chillers, cooling towers, circulating pumps, steam humidifiers, emergency power generators and auxiliary equipment. Records hourly readings from a variety of gauges and meters. Water tests for chemical and physical parameters such as acidity, alkalinity, causticity, dissolved solids. Adjust chemical treatment to maintain operating limits and draws samples for special analysis. 
•    Installs, repairs, maintains, and/or replaces regular and high-pressure piping systems for power boilers, major air conditioning systems, and medical gas systems. Checks systems for leaks and defects in equipment. Troubleshoots and analyzes defects. Plans and lays out work utilizing blueprints or lay-out sketches when provided; determines tools required and estimates necessary material such as pipe, fittings, etc., in the sizes, types, or lengths needed. Works on hot water and gas/propane lines, valves, radiators, storage and condensate tanks, steam traps, control valves, fittings, expansion joints, etc. 
•    Operates Control Engineering Building Management System, the environmental monitoring and control system console, and its major components including devices such as a digital computer/monitor, printers, and computer-generated graphics, and provides the monitoring, and surveillance; high- and low-pressure hot water boilers and distribution systems; chilled water plants; and facility environmental systems including heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and lighting systems, emergency generator and medical gas systems.
•    Maintains surveillance of computerized system control to detect off-normal conditions and alarms. Using knowledge of utility systems, engineering designs and specifications, and system generated graphics, interprets the information produced by the system to determine the point or points in alarm/nature of the problem, and takes necessary actions to correct or neutralize the alarm conditions. Checks parameter readouts to determine if overall system or individual equipment components are operating properly. Using technical data and special test equipment, performs tests on components to ensure correct operation. 
•    Collects and maintains utility system outage and performance data from connected systems and assists in data analysis and interpretation such as energy profiles and usage, equipment usage and failures, and maintenance and economic data. Initiates maintenance, repair, modification and equipment replacement based on system operational analysis of data received in the alarms, system readouts and logging trends. 
•    Performs standard preventive operator and operational maintenance on boiler equipment and machinery. Performs scheduled and emergency maintenance and repairs of limited to moderate complexity on mechanical parts and systems and performs basic electrical repairs. Makes manual and mechanical checks. Following safety instructions and codes, repairs, replaces, and maintains bearings, oil and water seals, pilots, burners, valves, seals, belts, controls and other items of similar complexity. Submits orders/requisitions for repair parts. Cleans and paints machinery and equipment as needed/assigned. 
•    Able to work rotating shifts; Days, Evening, Nights, weekends, holidays and be on call.
•    Perform other duties as assigned and required.

Minimum Qualifications:
•    Two (2) years of direct work experience 
•    Post-secondary education from a trade or technical school in HVAC systems, electrician or boiler operator apprenticeship programs.

•    Must be able to successfully pass the Employee Health Program requirements and background investigation.

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills, and Qualifications:
•    Excellent customer service skills. 
•    Ability to speak the Navajo language and/or familiarity with the Navajo Way.
•    Knowledge of the theories and principles of the refrigeration cycle of a variety of air conditioning systems, to explore possible reasons for equipment failure by visual and audible examination of components and by applying prescribed test procedures. Knowledge of different types of refrigerants. Ability to locate trouble before dismantling and making repairs, changing of filters on air handler units and roof top units. 
•    From observation of gauges, meters, and charts, must be able to determine when adjustments or complex controls and auxiliary equipment are necessary and to make the required adjustments.
•    Ability to understand the function of and be able to monitor, use, control, and/or regulate equipment such as: networks, feedwater pumps; condensate pumps; heating coils and electric powered fuel oil pumps: water softeners; brine tanks: air compressors: fuel oil heaters: exhaust fans. 
•    Knowledge of how to adjust firing controls and test for the correct air/fuel mixture to get maximum combustion ability to run tests of water samples, and from test results and observations, determine the amount of chemicals to be added to the boiler feedwater for proper care and treatment of equipment and lines. Familiar with and have the skill needed to operate complex equipment used on hot water boilers. 
•    Ability to understand the many meters, gauges, site glasses, consoles, and know how and when to adjust such as increasing or decreasing the fuel or airflow. 
•    Knowledge of principles of various methods of combustion and heat distribution, construction, operation, installation, and repairs on complex heating systems and equipment that have a wide variety of components, controls, and other auxiliary equipment. Knowledge of proper usage of tools and equipment, the order of assembling parts, and what tools and equipment are needed. 
•    Knowledge and skills to analyze system deficiencies; diagnose various types of problems; troubleshoot a variety of system components using information received from the automated system, engineer drawings, mechanical blueprints and specifications; and make various decisions on operating capacities and efficiencies such as load shedding, and other highly technical decisions. 
•    Ability to read and accurately apply information from blueprints as well as policies, procedures, and operation and maintenance manuals. 
•    Knowledge of the make-up and operation of a utility system involving heating and air conditioning evaporation systems and a peripheral knowledge in others, e.g., electrical systems.
•    Comprehensive knowledge of electrical control theory as it relates to utility systems (from millivolts DC to high voltage 3-phase AC) in order to monitor program trend data, modify, schedule, reset, and analyze problems for variable frequency drive motors, air quality sensors, pneumatic functions modules, network controllers, variable air volume controls, dampers, valve actuators, and digital input controller for temperature, flow status, configuration, and staging of HVAC systems. 

•    Thorough knowledge of advanced Direct Digital Controls (DDC) with binary and digital inputs and outputs, Variable Air Volume (VAV) control boxes, and a working knowledge of many operating systems, such as, but not limited to controls engineering software.

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to: walk, sit, crawl, use hands and fingers, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear. May be required to stand for long periods. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds or more. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:
This position requires to work inside and outside in all weather conditions and with potential hazards including exposure to sun, wind, rain, snow, dust, and traffic. Possibility of physical risk. Possible exposure to harmful fumes, toxic or caustic chemicals. Overnight travel may be required. Work is generally performed in an office with a moderate noise level. Extended hours and irregular shifts may be required.