Plant Operating Engineer

Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc.•Hazard, KY

About The Position

The Plant Operating Engineer completes primarily mechanical-oriented projects involved in plant operations. The role operates, inspects, repairs, and maintains boilers and other facility systems, supporting steam generation for hospital and related buildings, machinery, auxiliary equipment, and sterilization. The engineer monitors equipment conditions, pressures, temperatures, water levels, combustion, and chemical treatments; maintains operating logs and documentation; and performs safety inspections and preventive maintenance. Duties also include operating and testing emergency power systems, sewage and flood-control equipment, oxygen supply systems, heating and cooling controls, and facility security systems. The position may also involve minor repairs to patient-related equipment and other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Background in the electrical/mechanical or plant operations field, with either one year of technical-school training in that field plus one year of experience, or three years of documented experience performing electrical/mechanical or plant operator duties.
Six months to one year of on-the-job training to attain proficiency in assigned duties.
Knowledge of electrical and mechanical systems.
Knowledge of plant operations and maintenance procedures.
Ability to operate, inspect, troubleshoot, and maintain facility equipment.
Ability to read and follow written and verbal instructions.
Ability to safely use hand and power tools.
Ability to maintain accurate logs, records, and documentation.
Ability to recognize equipment malfunctions and respond appropriately.
Knowledge of fire and safety procedures and regulations.
Ability to work independently and respond to emergency situations when necessary.
Strong problem-solving and mechanical aptitude skills.

Responsibilities

Prepare, fire, repair, and operate gas-fired, oil-fired, coal-fired, and/or dual-fuel boilers in accordance with ASME and ANSI codes.
Control continuous steam generation for heating hospital and related buildings, supplying power to machinery and auxiliary equipment, and sterilizing equipment.
Tour boiler rooms and inspect boilers, appurtenances, and other operating equipment to ensure operation follows specified instructions.
Ensure boiler room and steam-generation equipment operate normally, with proper pressures, temperatures, water levels, and combustion conditions.
Maintain boiler room areas in a clean and orderly condition.
Inspect, repair, and maintain boiler area equipment, including pumps, coal conveyors, boilers, water heaters, valves, traps, and related equipment.
Record machinery operations and important daily activities accurately and legibly in boiler room and mechanical area logs.
Perform boiler, chiller, and heating-water chemical tests and adjust chemical feeding solutions based on the results.
Tour facility grounds and mechanical areas to conduct fire and safety inspections, observe operations, and record specified data.
Adjust heating and cooling controls as needed.
Adjust, clean, or replace belts, strainers, and related components to maintain normal equipment operation.
Inspect oxygen supply systems, record required data, notify approved sources when additional oxygen or repairs are needed, and connect oxygen cylinders to emergency supply systems when required.
Lock and unlock interior and exterior doors for security purposes and operate exterior lighting systems as programmed.
Inspect, operate, and record data for sewage lift stations, sewage plants, flood wall pumps, and related equipment.
Operate, test, and document emergency power systems according to established schedules; perform basic maintenance and adjustments; and start plant equipment following normal power failures.
Perform minor repairs, when needed, to patient-related equipment such as wheelchairs, beds, nursing call systems, oxygen and medical gas systems, and other patient room equipment.
Complete preventive maintenance assignments within the scope of training.
Monitor for indications of faulty operation or equipment malfunction and observe all safety precautions.
Maintain familiarity with the location and operation of fire detection systems.
Use hand and power tools to perform assigned tasks according to written or verbal instructions.
Complete service requests, work requests, and project forms, including start and completion times and materials used.
Select and store stock, tools, and supplies required for assigned tasks, and advise and monitor stock levels of materials needed for efficient plant and building equipment operation.
Maintain current knowledge of applicable fire, safety, and boiler operation codes.
Notify the supervisor when major repairs or additional assistance are required.
Perform other related duties as assigned.