Stationary Engineer

Job Title

Under supervision, to operate, repair, and maintain building systems, including making general repairs to a variety of plumbing, refrigeration, air conditioning, and other equipment.

Typical Tasks

The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

• Watches boiler room to regulate boilers; observes meters and gauges to determine operating condition of equipment; checks for water, gas, and combustible air leaks;
• Cleans, paints, lubricates, services, and performs minor adjustments/repairs and preventative maintenance on equipment;
• Uses blueprints, diagrams, schematic drawings, and maintenance manuals to locate and eliminate sources of electrical, plumbing, and mechanical problems;
• Inspects and checks sterilizers, oxygen equipment, and other hospital equipment;
• Repairs other equipment, such as HVAC, electrical, or plumbing;
• Monitors air conditioning, heating, ventilation, airflow, and pneumatic tube systems and initiates corrective action, as necessary;
• Cleans boiler rooms, boilers, and other equipment;
• Checks, maintains, repairs, and operates emergency generators;
• Services and operates water softeners;
• Monitors service call/work order systems, prioritizes work, and dispatches appropriate service personnel;
• Maintains appropriate records accurately and makes reports;
• Keeps lead or supervisor informed as to status of assignments, emergency and safety situations, and other matters that may affect operation of boilers;
• Operates, maintains, and assists with overhauls of cooling systems and water towers;
• Overhauls and repairs pumps;
• Performs safety checks on boilers and other equipment;
• Conducts tests of water, analyzes water samples, and applies treatment as tests indicate;
• Notifies department heads, nursing supervisors, and other staff of power interruptions;
• Recommends more complex repairs be performed by other appropriate County staff or contractors;
• Assists in training less experienced workers;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*;
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Employment Standards

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through training and experience equivalent to high school graduation,

and

Four (4) years of experience in performing maintenance, troubleshooting, service, and repair of hot water and low and high pressure steam boilers and other equipment.

Special Requirements

• Obtain and maintain a Universal Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) certificate issued by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency within six (6) months of appointment as long as certifications are available to obtain or vacate the position.
• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.
• *As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge of:

• Various boiler manufacturers, models, styles, and operation of high and low pressure steam boilers and applicable regulations;
• Safety precautions and hazards of pressure vessels and lines;
• When assigned to the County Health System, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards relating to hospital equipment;
• Appropriate Federal and State requirements for handling hazardous chemicals, including asbestos;
• Emergency power systems;
• Electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning systems for large buildings and facilities;
• Methods and techniques of operating and maintaining close-loop heating and cooling systems;
• Methods of repairing and maintaining various mechanical and electrical equipment;
• Common computer systems and applications;
• Proper and safe use of tools and equipment used in electrical, plumbing, and mechanical repairs.

Ability to:

• Operate, inspect, maintain, and make repairs to high and low pressure steam boilers, HVAC systems, water treatment equipment, plumbing fixtures, electrical motors, and other ancillary equipment;
• Learn and recall requirements of regulations affecting the activities, procedures, and policies surrounding the work;
• Interpret blueprints, diagrams, schematic drawings, and maintenance manuals;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies;
• Respond quickly and appropriately in an emergency;
• Manage and operate generator units during power outages;
• Keep accurate records and make simple reports;
• Work independently and under minimal supervision;
• Follow written and oral instructions.

Physical Requirements

• Lift and/or move moderately heavy and/or bulky equipment and objects up to 50 lbs. without assistance;
• Work in small and confined spaces;
• Climb ladders;
• Push, pull, grasp, and perform manual tasks, as necessary;
• Work on weekends, holidays, and at odd or irregular hours.