Operating Engineer Level 4

Job Summary

Detroit, MI

This position is responsible for operating, monitoring, and performing routine maintenance, in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, on all equipment located within a Central Utilities plant. 
Engineers will operate and maintain chillers, hot water generators and associated equipment which consist of the following.
Hot water generators with 30 MM Btuh total heating capacity, supported by magnetic bearing chillers providing 2,800 tons of refrigeration. The chilled water system uses 1,200 GPM pumps per chiller and supported by forced draft Tower Tech cooling towers. Monitoring power distribution 13.2 kV paralleling double ended switchgear, and system monitoring via a Metasys BMS. Backup power is supplied by two 2,000 kW generators ensuring full emergency capability. HVAC equipment for the utility plant, and all other equipment associated with the facility operation as directed.[JC1.1]
Work is performed under direct supervision with results reviewed through the achievement of set goals and adherence to policies, procedures, and industry best practices. 

Key Accountabilities

• Identify unsafe acts or conditions; eliminate/mitigate hazards immediately where possible and notify affected personnel and supervisor
• Safely operate plant equipment to meet the day to day demands of the customer’s facility
• Record and analyze plant operational data and operation of facility systems to maximize equipment efficiency and reliability
• Understand plant systems as a whole and the interdependencies of equipment and operator input on function and performance
• Respond to abnormal and emergency operating situations in a safe and reasonable manner
• Perform routine housekeeping duties and general clean-up of the facility and immediate surrounding area
• Perform maintenance on all facility equipment including predictive, preventative, corrective, and emergency maintenance. These activities include lubrication, filter replacement, tube brushing, equipment cleaning, painting, equipment tear down, inspection and re-build, etc.
• Record and document all maintenance activities that are performed on facility equipment. This may include utilizing a computer-based maintenance management program to electronically document information and historical data
• Follows all Company safety/environmental rules and regulations including LOTO, confined space, fall protection, electrical safety, chemical safety, and fire safety
• Provide on-call support for emergency and contingency situations
• Shift work is required, and employees will be required to perform both operation and routine maintenance of the facility equipment

Qualifications

• A high school diploma or GED, City of Detroit 1st Class Refrigeration Operator license and at least a 3rd Class Steam license are required
• Four years’ experience in plant operations, including two years’ operating a centralized chilled water system preferred
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisor, coworkers, management, and the general public preferred
• Knowledge of basic water chemistry is desired
• Knowledge of power plant mechanical and electrical equipment, including chillers, motors, pumps, water treatment systems, electrical distribution, control systems, etc., and associated maintenance functions preferred
• Ability to operate valves, switches, controls, keyboards, and other devices associated with power plants preferred
• Knowledge of and ability to understand fundamental principles related to physics, mathematics, electrical theory, heat transfer and fluid flow, thermal dynamics, and chemistry preferred
• Ability to use basic hand tools, portable electric and pneumatic tools, and basic lifting equipment such as chain hoists, davits, slings, and hydraulic cranes preferred
• Ability to learn and become proficient in all site-specific systems and sub-systems preferred

Additional Qualifications

The physical demands characterized here epitomize those that must be met by an employee to properly perform the integral functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In order to properly perform the integral functions of this job, the employee is required to:

• Frequently sit, stand, walk or climb and occasionally stoop, kneel or crawl.
• Reach with hands or arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, taste and smell.
• Talk and hear; use hands and fingers to handle or feel.
• Occasionally lift objects of up to 50 pounds in weight.
• Frequently lift objects of up to 10 pounds in weight.
• Possess the following vision requirements: close, color, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work both in a business office setting and at a plant site.
• Occasionally be exposed to outside weather conditions, including wet and/or humid conditions, and extreme heat.
• Be near moving mechanical parts and/or machinery.
• Occasionally be exposed to fumes or airborne particles and vibration.
• Be in a work environment that is usually quiet to moderate in the office but may become loud at the plant site.

Incumbents may engage in all or some combination of the activities and accountabilities, and utilize a variety of the competencies cited in this description depending upon the organization and role to which they are assigned. This description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents in this job. It is not intended as an all-inclusive list of accountabilities or responsibilities, nor is it intended to limit the rights of supervisors or management representatives to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.