Steamfitter]

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

UW Facilities manages the University’s buildings, infrastructure and land, with more than 1,100 employees in a variety of fields. The Asset Management group includes Capital & Space Management, Real Estate, Sustainability and other teams responsible for planning and workload management. The Operations group includes Project Delivery, Maintenance & Construction, Campus Energy, Utilities & Operations, Building Services, Transportation Services and Safety. Supporting these groups are the Business Intelligence & Information Technology group and the Finance & Administration group. We have an outstanding opportunity for a Campus Utilities Pipefitter / Steamfitter. Under the direction of the supervisor and lead, perform journey-level pipefitting and steam fitting in support of the safe and continuous operations, maintenance, and repair of high energy thermal distribution utility systems including: High pressure steam (185 PSIG/380 Deg F), low pressure steam (10 PSIG/240 Deg F), and associated condensate return systems to provide heat to the campus; High pressure Campus Chilled Water (CCW) distribution system, providing cooling to the campus; High pressure compressed air distribution system that serves much of the campus’s building controls systems; UW Natural Gas Distribution System; and other campus utility piping systems at the University of Washington Seattle Campus.

Requirements

Completion of a recognized apprenticeship as a plumber/pipefitter/steamfitter, OR full journey status as a plumber/pipefitter/steamfitter in a union, OR four years' applicable work experience. Vocational training may be substituted for work experience on a year-for-year basis.
Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license may be required.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except where there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
Have knowledge and understanding of safe work practices and policies
Must be able to follow written and/or verbal instructions and communicate effectively regarding the use of chemicals, supplies, and equipment; comply with safety policies and procedures
Basic PC and mobile tablet computer skills or willingness to learn/use computers and related software
Ability to use a smart phone
Must be able to work in a diverse workforce
Must be able to work in a tobacco-free and non-smoking environment
Must be able to work outdoors under all weather conditions
Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license
Must be able to communicate effectively with staff on portable hand-held radios
Must be able to follow all Washington State safety rules and regulations
Must be able to lift or carry heavy objects, work in confined spaces, restricted movement areas, mechanical/electrical spaces, and around operating equipment such as boilers, fans, pumps, and transformers, etc. for extended periods of time and be able to climb ladders and work at heights
Must be able to wear all proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required
The position requires working with and around asbestos containing equipment and following proper procedures
This position requires the wearing of a daily uniform and personal protective equipment appropriate to the job task and area. Additionally, approved safety shoes must be provided at the employee’s expense and worn on the job, but reimbursed by the employer
This position is subject to callback outside normal working hours (nights, weekends, and holidays) and mandatory scheduled and unscheduled overtime to respond to emergencies on an as-needed, scheduled on-call, or standby basis
Must be able to respond to system emergencies during regular business hours and outside of regular business hours
Must be able to work both independently and as a team member
Must be a strong team player. Not only able to work alone, but able to work closely with other trades on a highly complex University campus
Demonstrated successful ability in taking direction, working well with others and as a member of a team
Demonstrated effective communication skills with clients, peers, supervisors, and managers in normal and adverse conditions
Must maintain a professional appearance at all times
Must be able to communicate appropriately with clients, staff and students to present a professional image
Regular and predictable attendance is required

Nice To Haves

Five or more years of experience as a pipefitter/steamfitter working on complex and critical piping distribution systems, including an understanding of how to work safely on steam systems, complex and critical piping distribution systems, with a wide variety of systems and in the repair, service, maintenance, and operations of equipment, components and systems
Five or more years of experience working with thermal energy utility distribution systems including but not limited to companies regulated by WAC 480 – Utilities and Transportation Commission
Experience with identifying, repairing, and/or replacing Float and Thermostatic (F&T) and Bucket-style steam traps. Experience using a Sage UMT ultrasonic steam trap testing equipment or other similar equipment
Experience repairing or replacing steam expansion joints, and working with thermal energy distribution systems
Experience working with Washington State safety rules and regulations pursuant to WAC 296-803
Operator Qualification (OQ) in operations and maintenance of a Natural Gas Distribution System issued by Energy World Net or similar agency
Demonstrated experience welding piping. Pipe welding certifications are a plus, but not required
Certified for welding on natural gas piping systems per WAC 480-93-080. Desirable certifications include; qualification to API standard 1104 or section IX of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
Experience working with Washington State safety rules and regulations
Ability to work independently to improvise necessary system component repairs
Experience in applicable basic desktop computer skills, maintenance work request and work order programs and working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook as well as Adobe Acrobat or Bluebeam

Responsibilities

Troubleshoot, maintain, inspect, operate, and repair underground high energy thermal energy distribution systems, including pipelines, main service entrances/’headers’, meter-sets, pressure reducing stations or PRV’s, steam traps (F&T and Bucket), safety relief valves, isolation valves, condensate receivers and other related equipment and apparatus
Monitor and operate isolation valves and metering systems to control and regulate the flow of thermal energy; isolate and route low pressure and medium pressure steam, condensate, and chilled water distribution as necessary for maintenance and repair
Maintain and keep records of current and active Lock-Out/Tag-Out procedures
Prepare thermal energy distribution systems to be worked on by contractors, including de-energizing low pressure and high-pressure steam and condensate, venting and verifying zero-energy, issuing LOTO procedures, and monitoring procedures utilized by contractors
Repair and replace various types of steam expansion joints and steam and chilled water isolations valves. Troubleshoot ‘fail to hold’ situations to safely proceed with repairs
Cut, fit, fabricate, and assemble variety of pipe and piping systems, including large diameter pipe; and work with a variety of piping and system components
Construct various types of pipe joints for high or low-pressure systems, including threading, brazing, soldering, or welding. Install, connect, operate and maintain a variety of mechanical equipment including pumps, condensate receivers, expansion tanks, expansion joints, isolation valves.
Troubleshoot and repair mechanical system and thermal energy system failures relating to steam hammer caused by failed steam traps, failed condensate receivers, or failed heat exchangers
Safely operate ‘hot tap’ equipment on live systems including low pressure steam, condensate, and chilled water distribution systems
Repair and/or replace isolation valves, expansion joints, other mechanical equipment and appurtenances while under a mechanical line stop or line freeze. Coordinate safe work procedures with qualified line stop or line freeze operator at all times.
Troubleshoot, test, and repair pressure relief systems and other safety devices in the thermal energy distribution system; prepare and implement test plans
Maintain and update high pressure steam, low pressure steam, condensate, chilled water, and natural gas distribution system drawings and schematics
Perform duties in accordance with safety standards and procedures outlined in WAC 296-803
Research and coordinate technical issues related to requests for shutdowns of, campus steam distribution systems, building heating systems, and other systems to avoid or minimize disruptions of service to the campus.
Work collaboratively with other skilled trades’ leads, supervisors, managers and department heads, students and outside vendors in a courteous and professional manner with particular attention to customer service
Assist construction contractors with connection of new buildings and renovated buildings to the thermal energy distribution systems
Perform all work in accordance with applicable safety rules, environmental regulatory requirements, and SDS documents and maintain records as required according to environmental requirements
Plan and execute all work in a safe and efficient manner. Prepare and execute work using Activity Work Plans, Pre-Task Plans, Group Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO) procedures, and/or Job Hazard Assessments (JHA’s) to facilitate the safe completion of all work assigned
Use safe work practices working around and be knowledgeable of asbestos and lead containing materials
Inspect projects to ensure compliance with local standards and codes and maintain records of work performed and inspect contractors’ work to see that the work is performed to campus specifications
Review, initiate, and retrieve work orders using UW’s AiM Workdesk system and assigned tablet computer. Prepare service histories and fulfill other documentation requirements.
Field phone calls and e-mails to answer requests, questions, etc., of clients, and others
Monitor equipment and supply needs, coordinate with lead and supervisor, and requisition parts and materials to ensure that employees have what they require to perform job duties and for service and repair of equipment and recommend purchase of equipment and supplies for the shop operation, maintenance repairs, and for clients’ alteration projects
Follow and enforce adherence to safety rules, regulations, precautions, and good housekeeping practices. Comply with occupational health and safety regulations and environmental regulations that apply to work actions and conduct on the job, including the use of personal protective equipment whenever required; report safety infractions to the lead or supervisor
Follow and enforce adherence to all University and Facilities policies and procedures. Support all management directives and the vision and values
Safely and properly use and operate a variety of power tools, drill presses, grinders, band saws, hand drills, pneumatic tools, small hand tools, and specialized apparatus, and test equipment
Maintain service manuals, records, vehicle and tools as required
Operate machinery such as fork-lifts, scissor-lifts, and high rangers. Load and unload materials and supplies
Operate vehicles such as UW vans and trucks to transport tools, equipment and personnel to various job sites
Attend and actively participate in all required meetings and training and may provide intermittent training to other trade and craft workers
Perform other duties as assigned