Museum Maintainer – Engine Room

Brooklyn Museum•New York, NY

About The Position

The Museum Maintainer – Engine Room operates and maintains the museum’s central plant and building mechanical systems, including chillers, pumps, cooling towers, boilers, and associated refrigeration and HVAC equipment to ensure safe and reliable facility operations. The role performs preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs on building systems while monitoring environmental conditions that support gallery spaces, collections, and public areas. The position requires strong knowledge of air conditioning and refrigeration systems, the use of specialized tools such as soldering and brazing equipment, adherence to PPE requirements, and a valid FDNY Refrigeration Machine Operator Certificate of Fitness (Q-01/Q-99). New license holders with HVAC Mechanic experience are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

High school diploma or its equivalent plus three years of experience operating and maintaining electrical and centrifugal refrigeration equipment, pumps, cooling towers, HVAC systems, chiller plant control systems, steam and hot water systems, sprinkler and standpipe systems, and fire alarm systems
New York City Fire Department Refrigeration Machine Operator’s License (Q-01/Q-99)
Experience and training in pneumatic, electronic, and electric controls, as well as variable frequency drives
Capacity to receive Museum training on our computerized climate control system and any other equipment
Willingness to secure and maintain all necessary licenses and certificates as required by New York State, New York City, and the Museum
Ability and willingness to climb on, or work from, ladders or scaffolding
Ability to lift and transport heavy parts or equipment, up to 100 pounds

Nice To Haves

The following certifications are strongly recommended to support safe operations and regulatory compliance: FDNY Certificates of Fitness S-12, S-13, S-14, S-15, S-95, A-35, P-98, P-99, F-89, F-60, and G-60, along with completion of OSHA 30-Hour. If not already obtained, the museum will sponsor the required training.
Knowledge of electrical motors is a plus

Responsibilities

Operate, repair, test, and maintain all pumping and refrigeration engineering equipment (e.g. chillers, pumps, vacuum condensate pumps, condensate systems, and cooling towers), as well as low pressure boilers, heat exchangers, and domestic water heaters
Properly align motors, pumps, shafts, gearboxes, and couplings; repack pump seals; and replace mechanical seals
Perform responsible, independent work in all Museum mechanical and non-gallery areas (including fabrication, installation, and removal of HVAC and plumbing fixtures)
Prepare and update logs and documentation on a daily basis, including those related to shifts and equipment, HVAC and Museum environmental conditions. Document work performed, inspections, and equipment conditions using the institution’s work order or maintenance management system.
Order supplies and equipment, working with the Supervising Museum Maintainer, and maintain an adequate inventory of supplies for daily operations, preventive maintenance, and planned activities
Maintain an overall knowledge of facility operations and report status to management
Ensure that equipment functions according to a given schedule, and operate software associated with existing automation systems
Stay up to date on the Museum’s emergency procedures; coordinate information with other shops, staff, clients, and management during emergencies; and interact with outside municipal agencies, including the Fire Department
Make critical emergency repairs in all construction trade fields and take appropriate stopgap measures when complete repairs cannot be immediately made
Perform electrical repairs in emergency situations, after hours, and on weekends such as changing electric fuses, switches, light bulbs, and breakers
Take responsibility for the safety and protection of all related Museum buildings, collections, personnel, Museum visitors, and equipment
Carry out appropriate fire and safety team functions as deemed necessary by the Fire and Life Safety Director
Conduct daily work such as plumbing, roof weatherization, after-emergency cleanup, cleaning of mechanical equipment rooms, cleaning and repair of boilers/pumps and related equipment, painting, and repairs to the fire suppression systems.
Maintain mechanical equipment rooms (MERs) and electrical/mechanical rooms (EMRs) in a clean, orderly, and safe condition. Ensure equipment areas remain accessible, free of debris and unauthorized storage, and compliant with applicable safety and operational requirements.
Wear required safety equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate to the task being performed