Plant Operating Engineer

Appalachian Regional Healthcare•Hazard, KY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Plant Operating Engineer is responsible for completing basically mechanical oriented projects involved in plant operations. This role involves the preparation, firing, repair, and operation of various types of boilers (gas, oil, coal, dual fuel) in compliance with ASME and ANSI codes. The engineer controls the continuous generation of steam for heating hospital and related buildings, powering machinery, auxiliary equipment, and sterilizing equipment. Daily duties include touring boiler rooms and mechanical areas to ensure normal operation, proper pressures and temperatures, correct water levels, efficient combustion, and maintaining a clean and orderly environment. The position also involves inspecting, repairing, and maintaining boiler area equipment, conducting chemical tests for boiler and water systems, performing fire and safety checks across the facility grounds, and making adjustments to heating/cooling controls. The engineer is also responsible for inspecting oxygen supply systems, operating and logging emergency power systems, and performing minor repairs on patient-related equipment. Constant vigilance for equipment malfunction and adherence to safety precautions, including familiarity with fire detection systems, are crucial. The role requires completing service requests, managing stock and supplies, and staying updated on relevant codes.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED equivalent
Background in the electrical/mechanical or plant operators field which includes either (A) one (1) year of training in a technical school in the electrical/mechanical or plant operators field and one (1) year of experience; or (B) three (3) years of documented experience from previous employer(s) performing electrical/mechanical or plant operators duties.
Six (6) months to one (1) year on-the-job training is required to attain proficiency of performance of assigned duties.

Responsibilities

Prepares, fires, repairs and operates gas fired, oil fired, coal fired and/or dual fuel boilers to meet ASME and ANSI codes.
Controls generation of a continuous supply of steam for heating hospital and related buildings, for supplying power to machinery and auxiliary equipment, and for sterilizing equipment.
Tours boiler room to observe boilers, their appurtenances and other operating equipment, to insure that operation is in accord with specified instruction.
Responsible for assuring that all boiler room and related steam generation equipment is operating normally, that proper pressures and temperatures are developed and maintained, that water in the boiler is at proper level, that combustion requirements for efficient and economic operation are being met, and that boiler room area is clean and maintained in an orderly state.
Inspects, repairs, and maintains boiler area equipment such as pumps, coal conveyors, boilers, water heaters, valves, traps and related equipment.
Makes entries in boiler room and mechanical area logs which are official journals of the operation of machinery and all related activities of importance that take place daily. Must be capable of making log entries accurately, neatly, legibly, and in complete statements.
Prepares boiler, chill, and heating water chemical tests and adjusts feeding solutions to proper amounts as result of tests.
Tours entire facility grounds as well as mechanical areas for fire and safety checks, observes operations and records specified data. May make adjustments to heating and/or cooling controls and adjust, clean, or replace such items as belts, strainers, or related items that would assure normal operations of equipment.
Inspects oxygen supply system, records data as specified and notified approved source in case of malfunction or need of additional oxygen. Must be capable of connecting oxygen cylinder to emergency supply system.
Locks and unlocks interior and exterior doors for security reasons and operates exterior lighting as programmed.
Must inspect operation and record specified data on items such as sewage lift stations, sewage plants, and flood wall pumps and related equipment.
Must operate, test, and log emergency power system(s) on schedule and perform basic maintenance or adjustment as required. Must be familiar with and perform start-up of plant equipment as a result of normal power failure.
May perform minor repairs to patient related equipment such as wheel chairs, beds, nursing call systems, oxygen and medical gas system and other patient room equipment, and completes preventive maintenance assignments within scope of specific training.
Must be constantly alert to indications of faulty operation or malfunction of equipment and that all safety precautions are observed, and familiar with location and operation of fire detection system(s).
Performs assigned tasks with hand or power tools and in accordance with written or oral instructions.
Completes sections of service requests, work requests, and/or project forms such as time and date started, time and date completed, and materials used.
Selects stock, tools, and supplies for assigned tasks. Stores stock, tools and supplies in assigned location.
Advises and monitors stock levels of materials for efficient operation of plant and building equipment.
Maintains an on-going knowledge of applicable fire, safety, and plant boiler operation's codes from source made available.
Notified supervisor when major repairs or assistance is required.
Performs other related duties as assigned.