Plant Operations Technician

Position Details

Position Information

Requisition Number S3979P Home Org Name Utility Plant Operations Division Name VP, Facilities Management Position Title Plant Operations Technician Job Class Code ND13, ND14 Appointment Status Full-time Part-time FTE Limited Term No Limited Term Length Job Summary

Facilities Management at Auburn University is excited to begin the search for a Plant Operations Technician!

Level I

Maintains boiler and hot-loop water chemistry and performs routine repairs and preventative maintenance to a variety of district energy chilled water and heating plant equipment.

Level II

Responsible for performing the routine installation, replacement, or repair to a variety of district energy plant and distribution system equipment.

Why Should YOU Choose Auburn University?

• Auburn University was named a "Best in Alabama" employer by Forbes! Our employee longevity speaks for itself, with employees staying an average of ten years.
• Competitive state benefits including retirement plan vesting at 10 years of service, generous leave accrual, and parental leave opportunity.
• Auburn University tuition assistance for yourself and your dependents. Employees can take 15 hours of classes for free, and dependents receive a 50% tuition waiver.

It's a Lifestyle: The Auburn/Opelika area is a page right out of Southern Living magazine with an idyllic small-town feel, perfecting a unique balance between a close-knit community and driving consistent growth and development. Paralleling the exponential growth of Auburn University, the Auburn/Opelika area boasts services and amenities that cater to any interest. We're proud of our top school systems, city services, award-winning restaurants, and the infectious spirit of life in a college town. You can find us nestled halfway between the beach and the mountains in a lower-cost-of-living area, two hours outside of Atlanta or Birmingham. If you're new to Auburn, we'd love to introduce you. If you're already acquainted with Auburn, we'll keep it simple: it's time to come home!

Essential Functions

Level I

• Performs preventative maintenance on motors, pumps, boilers, cooling towers, pneumatic and digital controls, valve actuators and operators, and flow meters.
• Performs seasonal transitions of systems to and from heating and cooling. Performs basic repairs of district energy chilled water and heating plant equipment including: motors, pumps, boilers, cooling towers, pneumatic and digital controls, valve actuators and operators, and flow meters.
• Maintains boiler (steam and condensate) and secondary hot-loop water chemistry. Assists contracted water treatment specialist with installation and maintenance of primary hot water, chilled water, and condensing water energy plant systems.
• Will be responsible for meeting and maintaining training and certification requirements as outlined by the Auburn University Facilities Management Policy: "Training, Education, and Certification Requirements for Mechanical and Electrical Trades Personnel".
• May be required to serve in an on-call status and remain work-ready when scheduled for an on-call period or rotation. Work-ready status requires an employee to return to the worksite within forty-five minutes while being physically and mentally unimpaired and fit for duty, able to safely perform all essential job functions with no risk to self, coworkers, students, public, or property.

Level II

• Performs routine installation, replacement, or repair of district energy plant and distribution system equipment including chillers, boilers, pumps, motors, valves, valve actuators, variable frequency drives, air compressors, air dryers, cooling tower fans, gear boxes, steam manifolds, steam traps, refrigeration monitoring units, air handling units, water filtration systems, and fuel oil systems.
• Performs routine and moderately complex maintenance of energy plant electrical equipment and power systems to include electrical service panels, interior electrical distribution systems, lighting systems, motors, pumps, fans, air conditioning equipment, and heating equipment. Work involves voltages up to 480 volts and three phase power.
• Inspects and troubleshoots district energy systems and their components (e.g. chillers, boilers, valves, valve actuators, flow meters, etc.) for the purpose of evaluating operating status and material condition, identifying necessary repairs, and recommending a proper course of action.
• Oversees and plans assigned work orders using the Facilities Management AIM work order system to prioritize and schedule work to best meet the needs of Auburn University and its customers. Identifies options, develops solutions, and takes action when responding to customer requests.
• Will be responsible for meeting and maintaining training and certification requirements as outlined by the Auburn University Facilities Management Policy: "Training, Education, and Certification Requirements for Mechanical and Electrical Trades Personnel".
• May be required to serve in an on-call status and remain work-ready when scheduled for an on-call period or rotation. Work-ready status requires an employee to return to the worksite within forty-five minutes while being physically and mentally unimpaired and fit for duty, able to safely perform all essential job functions with no risk to self, coworkers, students, public, or property.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Level I

High school diploma or equivalent plus 2 years experience in installation, maintenance, repair, and operation of a wide array of common plant system components

Level II

Vocational or Associate's Degree in Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning systems, refrigeration, building control systems, electrical technology, electrical construction, or other related fields plus 5 years experience in installation, maintenance, repair, and operation of a wide array of common plant system components

OR

High school diploma or equivalent plus 4 years of experience in the installation, maintenance, repair, and operation of a wide array of common plant system components.

Internal candidates may be required to provide training and certification requirements as outlined by the Auburn University Facilities Management Policy for some positions: https://fm.auburn.edu/facilities-workforce-development/

Minimum Skills, License, and Certifications

Minimum Skills and Abilities

Level I

• Knowledge of HVAC and refrigeration theory and principles.
• Knowledge of HVAC and refrigeration system operations.
• Knowledge and understanding of major HVAC system components (i.e. what they do, how they work, and how to install or replace them).
• Knowledge of preventative maintenance practices for district energy systems.
• Basic knowledge of pumps, motors, and related system flow characteristics.
• Basic knowledge of electrical systems.
• Basic knowledge of single phase and three phase electrical systems including wire sizing.
• Basic knowledge of water chemistry standards for steam, condensate, chilled water, condensing water, and heating water systems.
• Knowledge of workplace safety and safe work practices.
• Understanding of industrial safety procedures and practices pertaining to working around operating equipment.
• Ability to perform preventative maintenance on district energy equipment such as chiller (evaporator and condensor), water tubes, boiler fire tubes, distribution system pumps and motors, valves, valve actuators, and flow meters.
• Ability to maintain and troubleshoot district energy system operations:
• Properly maintain set points for automated chilled water system staging.
• Operate system to maintain adequate differential pressure across all plants and buildings.
• Operate system to maintain required temperatures across all plants and buildings.
• Ability to assist in the installation, repair, and/or replacement of district energy system components such as pumps, motors, valves, flow meters, variable frequency drives, heat exchangers, and water softeners.
• Ability to wire circuits and components.
• Ability to read blueprints.
• Ability to read electrical and mechanical system drawings.

Level II

• Journeyman level knowledge regarding the installation, maintenance, repair, and proper operation of a wide array of complex district energy systems.
• Journeyman level knowledge regarding a wide array of complex district energy systems components, such as chillers, boilers, variable frequency drives, valves, valve actuators, and flow meters.
• Journeyman level knowledge regarding troubleshooting, assessment, and diagnostic techniques for complex district energy heating and cooling systems problems.
• Journeyman level knowledge regarding project management and the planning, scheduling, and overseeing of district energy system repair projects.
• Journeyman level knowledge of HVAC and BAS control systems and the ability to install, repair, and replace control components.
• Knowledge of motor or equipment control systems and the ability to install, repair, and replace control components. Knowledge regarding troubleshooting, assessment, and diagnostic techniques for routine energy plant electric systems problems.
• Knowledge regarding the use of building automation systems, such as Johnson Controls Metasys system, to find and troubleshoot issues.
• Knowledge of fire alarm and refrigerant alarm systems and how they interact with both district energy plant electrical systems and automated heating and cooling system operations and controls.
• Supervisory skills along with the ability to communicate tasks and direction to subordinates in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to install, repair, and/or replace a wide array of district energy system components such as chillers, boilers, variable frequency drives, valves, valve actuators, and flow meters.
• Ability to troubleshoot, assess, and diagnose routine district energy heating and cooling systems problems.
• Ability to assist in planning and executing district energy system repair projects.
• Ability to install, repair, and replace district energy system control components.
• Ability to install, maintain, and repair a wide array of common electrical systems.
• Ability to troubleshoot, assess, and diagnose heating and cooling plant electric systems problems. Ability to install, repair, and replace heating and cooling plant equipment control components. Ability to install, repair, and replace digital control components.
• Ability to use building automation systems, such as Johnson Controls Metasys systems, to find and troubleshoot issues.

Minimum Technology Skills Minimum License and Certifications

Level I

• Valid Driver's License
• Universal Refrigerant Card (within 180 days of employment)

Level II

• Valid Driver's License
• Universal Refrigerant Card (within 180 days of employment)
• National Institute for the Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers (NIUPE) 5th Class Power Engineer Certification

Desired Qualifications

Desired Qualifications

Posting Detail Information

Salary Range $38,200 - $64,600 Job Category Building/Grounds Maintenance Working Hours if Non-Traditional City position is located in: Auburn State position is located: AL List any hazardous conditions or physical demands required by this position Posting Date 09/26/2024 Closing Date EEO Statement

AUBURN UNIVERSITY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. The Office of Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) strives to ensure an inclusive and equitable working, living, and learning environment for members of the Auburn University community. Please visit their website to learn more.

Special Instructions to Applicants Quick Link for Internal Postings https://www.auemployment.com/postings/48728

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Resume

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Please select how you first became aware of this opportunity. Your response helps us determine how we can more effectively reach our candidates.

• LinkedIn

• AcademicKeys

• The Chronicle of Higher Education

• DiversityJobs

• HigherEdJobs

• HERC (Higher Education Recruitment Consortium)

• Indeed

• RecruitMilitary

• The Tuskegee News

• Professional organization or journal

• Veterans Assistance Services

• Disability Assistance Services

• State Employment Service

• Social Media

• AU Job Bulletin

• Notified by an Auburn employee

• College or university Career Services

• I went to the AU Employment Website directly (www.auemployment.com)

• Other

• • Please select the answer that best describes your current employment relationship with Auburn University:

• Current full-time Auburn or AUM employee within probationary period

• Current full-time Auburn or AUM employee outside of probationary period

• Current part-time Auburn or AUM employee

• Not an Auburn or AUM employee

• • Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent?

• Yes

• No

• • Do you have 2 years of experience in installation, maintenance, repair, and operation of a wide array of common plant system components?

• Yes

• No

• • Do you have a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain one prior to selection?

• Yes

• No