Plant Operating Engineer

Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc.•Hazard, KY

About The Position

The Plant Operating Engineer completes primarily mechanical projects involved in plant operations. The role operates and maintains boilers and related steam-generation equipment; monitors facility mechanical systems and safety; performs inspections, testing, logging, and basic maintenance; and carries out assigned repairs and preventive maintenance within the scope of training. This position is designated for the night shift. The engineer maintains operating logs and work records, monitors supply levels, follows applicable fire, safety, and boiler-operation codes, and informs a supervisor when major repairs or assistance are required. Six months to one year of on-the-job training is required to attain proficiency in assigned duties.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Background in the electrical/mechanical or plant-operator field, demonstrated by 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 is required to attain proficiency in assigned duties.

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 the generation of a continuous steam supply for heating hospital and related buildings, powering machinery and auxiliary equipment, and sterilizing equipment.
Tour the boiler room and observe boilers, appurtenances, and other operating equipment to verify operation follows specified instructions.
Ensure boiler-room and steam-generation equipment operates normally; maintain proper pressures, temperatures, and boiler water levels; meet combustion requirements for efficient and economical operation; and keep the boiler-room area clean and orderly.
Inspect, repair, and maintain boiler-area equipment, including pumps, coal conveyors, boilers, water heaters, valves, traps, and related equipment.
Make accurate, neat, legible, complete entries in boiler-room and mechanical-area logs documenting machinery operations and significant daily activities.
Prepare boiler, chill, and heating-water chemical tests and adjust feeding solutions based on test results.
Tour facility grounds and mechanical areas for fire and safety checks, observe operations, record specified data, and adjust heating or cooling controls or related components as needed.
Inspect the oxygen supply system, record specified data, notify an approved source of malfunctions or additional oxygen needs, and connect an oxygen cylinder to the emergency supply system.
Lock and unlock interior and exterior doors for security and operate exterior lighting as programmed.
Inspect and record specified operating data for sewage lift stations, sewage plants, flood-wall pumps, and related equipment.
Operate, test, and log emergency power systems on schedule; perform basic maintenance or adjustments and start up plant equipment following normal power failures.
Perform minor repairs to patient-related equipment and preventive maintenance assignments within the scope of specific training.
Watch for faulty operation or equipment malfunctions, observe safety precautions, and know the location and operation of fire detection systems.
Perform assigned tasks using hand or power tools and follow written or oral instructions.
Complete applicable sections of service requests, work requests, and project forms, including start and completion dates and times and materials used.
Select and store stock, tools, and supplies for assigned tasks in their designated locations.
Advise and monitor stock levels of materials needed for efficient operation of plant and building equipment.
Maintain knowledge of applicable fire, safety, and plant boiler-operation codes using available sources.
Notify the supervisor when major repairs or assistance are required and perform other related duties as assigned.