Data Center Operator

Data Center Operator (DCO)

The Data Center Operator (DCO) is a facilities-focused role that is responsible for the operational integrity, commissioning, and regulatory compliance of the electrical power, mechanical, monitoring and control systems, and the processes that maximize customer uptime in the most cost-effective way for highly available, concurrently maintainable, fault tolerant mission-critical data center environments.

The DCO is responsible for ensuring that all electrical, mechanical, and fire/life safety equipment within the data center are operating at peak efficiency and the utmost levels of reliability. This involves both planned preventative maintenance of equipment, daily corrective work, and response to emergency issues. The DCO is our front line when it comes to hands-on electrical and mechanical equipment troubleshooting. The DCO serves as an expert, highly capable technical resource, reporting to the Site Manager and interacting with On-Site Multi-Skilled Operators [MSO] and any third-party vendors. They are expected to be a singular focal point for all facility operations within a given data center. Data center equipment that supports mission-critical servers must maintain better than 99.999% uptime. This equipment includes, but is not limited to standby diesel generators, related fuel systems, electrical switchgear, UPSs, PDUs, AHUs, related thermal management equipment and systems, chemical treatment systems (where applicable), pumps, motors, VFDs, and building automation systems.

Salute Benefits That Put You First

We know life doesn't stop when work begins, that's why we offer perks designed to support your well-being, your family, and your future:

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy 8 company-paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, and PTO so you can rest, celebrate, and take care of what matters most.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Including Medical, Dental, and Vision that you can enroll in starting on Day 1. Coverage begins the first of the month following 30-days of employment.
• Peace of Mind: The Employee Assistance Program is available to all employees, even if you do not participate in the benefits package.
• Your financial future matters: Enjoy our employer-supported 401(K) with immediate 100% vesting, plus a 3% employer match and a 50% match on the next 2%.
• Wellness Support: Access to HSA, mental health resources, and gym discounts —because your health matters.
• Extra Protection & Perks: Through discounted group programs, such as legal services, home & auto insurance, pet insurance, and ID theft protection for life's unexpected moments.

Responsibilities:

• Place SAFETY at the top of anything and everything that they do – without fail.
• Focus on the tasks and activities given to them and remain consistently focused on SAFETY.
• Operate, monitor, maintain, and respond to abnormal conditions of facility systems.
• Complete planned and ad-hoc preventive maintenance work assignments, requiring the skill and direction of several electrical, mechanical, maintenance trades and engineering disciplines.
• Conduct periodic inspections of building systems, i.e., HVAC, electrical distribution, maintain mechanical equipment rooms/enclosures to ensure clean, functional and safe conditions.
• Rapid response, investigation and management of indoor emergency situations and air quality complaints, including humidity.
• Have a complete working knowledge on creating, closing and tracking "work requests" (WR). Initiate or respond to work orders, follow-up and verify completion of work.
• Monitor performance/note deficiencies of service contractors and recommend changes as necessary.
• Provide applied electrical, mechanical, integrated control and water chemistry technical expertise for the entire data center.
• Directly interface with management team, contractors and consultants for all phased data center construction commissioning, including integration and testing of new systems while maintaining critical systems online.
• Work with the Site Manager and other stakeholders to track and complete a preventive and predicative maintenance schedule for critical maintenance and system commissioning.
• Ensure data center operates at maximum operational efficiency, including:
• analyzing existing operating conditions,
• recommending new technologies and improving overall efficiency and cost reduction.
• Responsible for data center white space and back-of-house electrical loading and capacity, including client installations and systems.
• This position may require unusual hours of work approximately once every other week to meet critical maintenance windows and scheduling.
• Directly manage contractors and consultants for daily operations and critical maintenance (UPS systems, generators, switchgear, and chiller maintenance).
• Provide applied electrical, mechanical, integrated control and technical expertise for the entire data center.
• Directly manage and supervise Multi-Skilled Operators in all aspects of day-to-day operations and maintenance of all electrical and mechanical critical facility equipment.
• On-call to respond to emergency situations at the data center.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.

The Data Center Operator interacts across all internal departments, including executives and will interact with clients and vendors.

Desired Skills & Experience:

• Strong background in operating mechanical and electrical critical systems, design review, layout, installation, including the ability to read and interpret electrical and mechanical one lines.
• Ability to conduct power- and thermal system capacity, safety and code compliance assessments.
• Hands-on experience installing, maintaining and troubleshooting large commercial and industrial electrical systems including:
• Medium-voltage switchgear
• 480/277 Volt and 208/120-volt electrical generation and distribution systems
• Diesel powered AC generators.
• Static UPS systems (where applicable)
• Dynamic Rotary UPS Systems (where applicable)
• Multi-string flooded cell batteries and monitoring systems
• Static switches
• PLC and relay logic controls
• Power monitoring systems
• Data center power distribution and management systems
• Current knowledge of NFPA Electrical, Fire and Life Safety and building codes, or local regulatory equivalent within the location of the data center.
• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA 70E, NFPA 72, NFPA 25 and compliance issues
• Expert knowledge in industrial safety best practices (i.e. lockout/tag out, arc flash protection, OSHA and state regulations)
• An excellent understanding of the electrical and mechanical systems involved in critical data center operations, including systems such as feeders, transformers, generators, switchgear, UPS systems, ATS units, PDU units, chillers, pumps, air handling units, and CRAC units.
• Work directly with customers, internal teams, installation engineers, technical consultants, and other implementation personnel to coordinate customer turn-ups, process flow, to ensure smooth transition from installation to operation.

Qualifications

• 4-year degree in an engineering discipline from an accredited university
• Full use of sight, hearing and voice are required as well as full motor skills
• The ability to lift up to 23kgs (50lbs), bend, stoop, reach overhead and stand for long time periods
• A minimum of 5 years of directly related experience in the operation, installation, and maintenance of data center critical equipment, building systems with in-depth technical understanding and knowledge of all HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire/life safety, and control systems
• Knowledge of the electrical and mechanical systems used in a data center environment, including: Feeders, Transformers, Generators, Switchgear, UPS systems, ATS/STS units, PDU/PMM units, Chillers, Air handling units and CRAC units
• Good observation skills and problem-solving ability
• Military experience would be an advantage
• As a condition of employment, the employee must successfully complete a background investigation