AE Operations & Maintenance Specialist - Austin Energy

City of Austin•San Antonio, TX

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, the AE Operations & Maintenance Specialist operates equipment and performs mechanical work in power, steam, or chiller operations. The position installs, tests, debugs, repairs, services, and maintains utility equipment and systems, including boiler, turbine, generator, HVAC, electrical, uninterruptible power supply, and auxiliary systems. Work includes monitoring equipment, reading instruments, performing preventive maintenance, troubleshooting and repairing mechanical systems, and operating equipment such as generators, turbines, centrifuges, and pumps. The position supports Austin Energy’s electrical, steam, and chilled-water equipment and systems at district cooling plants. It is designated as Essential Personnel and may require work during emergencies and bad weather, at multiple locations, and outside the normal schedule. The work environment can involve high stress, extreme hot or cold temperatures, confined spaces, elevated structures, and noisy conditions. The employee may need to wear a respirator. Shift assignments may change according to business needs; this posting is for third (night) shift or another shift as required.

Requirements

High school graduation or equivalent.
At least four years of experience in a field related to installation, operation, and/or maintenance of a utility facility power, steam, or chiller operation.
Valid Texas Class C driver license, or ability to obtain one within 90 days of employment.
Ability to produce and maintain an acceptable driving record and meet City of Austin Driver Safety Program eligibility standards.
Knowledge of methods, equipment, tools, and materials used to maintain and repair large equipment.
Knowledge of safety rules, codes, and regulations for work on or near energized electrical systems, steam systems, and high-pressure water systems.
Knowledge of lockout/tagout procedures for removing equipment from service for maintenance.
Knowledge of cleaning methods and procedures for work areas and equipment.
Knowledge of operating procedures for firing and maintaining pressure on high-pressure steam boilers and operating and maintaining auxiliary equipment.
Knowledge of boiler feed-water chemical treatment and control.
Knowledge of pressure, temperature, water-level, and other indicating instruments used in high-pressure boiler operations.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective communication and working relationships with City employees and the public.
Skill in performing basic mathematical calculations and applying control procedures for auxiliary equipment.
Ability to make accurate gauge readings and interpret manuals sufficiently to perform job tasks.
Ability to work a varying shift schedule, in confined areas and on elevated structures, and under emergency and all-weather conditions.
Ability to perform moderate bending, lifting, walking, carrying, and ladder climbing, and to exert force equivalent to lifting up to 50 pounds.
Ability to work in extreme hot or cold temperatures and noisy environments, and to wear a respirator when required.

Nice To Haves

Experience operating and maintaining a district energy and cooling plant.
Experience operating and maintaining industrial chillers.
Experience operating and maintaining industrial boilers.
Experience operating and maintaining gas turbines.
Experience performing electrical or electronics maintenance.
Experience operating and maintaining industrial PLCs.
Completion of, or participation in, advanced, high-rigor technical training, such as the U.S. Navy Nuclear Program, or comparable structured technical training or programs.

Responsibilities

Install, test, debug, and repair complex utility equipment.
Calibrate sensors, controllers, and meters.
Enter data into computerized or manual maintenance systems and record information on forms and logs.
Start up and shut down diesel generator units; operate mechanical screens and utility equipment.
Monitor equipment and machinery, read gauges and meters, and check equipment for proper operation, safety, and maintenance needs.
Clean, service, and maintain equipment, pumps, and power tools; operate valves using a valve wrench.
Operate centrifuges, generators, turbines, auxiliary equipment, sump pumps, and other pumps.
Clean tanks and feed chemicals as needed.
Repair, service, and install components of utility facility boiler, turbine, generator, HVAC, electrical, uninterruptible power supply, and auxiliary systems.
Perform preventive maintenance on utility equipment according to specifications.
Plan work and identify necessary tools, equipment, parts, and labor.
Perform mechanical alignments for rotating equipment and drivers.
Troubleshoot mechanical systems and equipment, including systems in critical infrastructure.
Disassemble and reassemble complex mechanical components and determine close-tolerance fit of associated parts.
Drive, inspect, and maintain various electric utility vehicles.
Report to work during emergencies and bad weather as an Essential Employee, and support operations and recovery as assigned.
Work varying shifts, multiple locations, and additional hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, on-call assignments, and call-backs, as required by business needs.