Plant Utility Worker

City of Hamilton, Ohio•Hamilton, OH

About The Position

This is an internal posting open only to current City of Hamilton employees who are IUOE, Local 20 members. The Plant Utility Worker performs skilled and semi-skilled operating, inspection, repair, and maintenance work at Utility Operations facilities, including hydroelectric facilities, water plants, water reclamation facilities, the electric generation plant, and other City facilities. The position operates hydroelectric generation and auxiliary equipment at the Hamilton Hydroelectric Plant and gas turbine and auxiliary equipment at the Hamilton Power Plant. Work is assigned orally and in writing and is performed with or under the supervision of the Supervising Mechanical Engineer, Power Plant 1st Class Maintenance Mechanic, or a supervisor’s designee. Detailed assistance is provided initially or for difficult or complex tasks. The employee uses independent judgment, particularly in unusual or emergency conditions, and work is reviewed during and after completion. The position reports to the Supervising Mechanical Engineer or the Director’s designee. Duties include inspecting, operating, and maintaining plant equipment and systems; recording operating readings; performing scheduled and preventive maintenance; making repairs and adjustments; maintaining plant facilities; and supporting a variety of Utility Operations locations as needed. The employee may occasionally act as a crew leader and may work nights, weekends, and several consecutive weeks without time off to support urgent needs.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.).
One year of experience in power plant operations, water production operations, water reclamation operations, industrial maintenance, or utility maintenance.
Valid driver’s license.
Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions associated with the work.
Knowledge of the functions and mechanics of stationary equipment typically found in power plants, water plants, or water reclamation facilities, such as turbines, generators, pumps, motors, conveyors, and air compressors.
Knowledge of hydroelectric system operating methods and practices, including efficient water-supply operating levels.
Ability to read and interpret plans, blueprints, sketches, models, and oral and written instructions.
Knowledge of proper methods for oiling movable parts and ability to check mechanical and electrical equipment and detect operating defects or flaws.
Knowledge of mechanical-trade methods, materials, tools, and practices; general carpentry and plumbing repair methods; and standard machinist tools, materials, methods, and practices.
Understanding of relationships between plant machines and equipment and the effects of faulty operation on the system.
Skill in using bench tools, hand tools, machines, and equipment of the mechanical and related trades.
Ability to make minor adjustments and repairs to automotive equipment and hydroelectric systems.
Mechanical aptitude and good general intelligence.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and react quickly and calmly in an emergency.
Ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions and report malfunctions or irregularities in writing.
Mathematical ability to perform calculations needed to determine malfunctions or operational needs.
Some knowledge of electrical power-generation principles, drinking-water production principles, and water-reclamation principles.

Nice To Haves

Three to five years of experience in power plant operations, water production operations, water reclamation operations, industrial maintenance, or utility maintenance.

Responsibilities

Inspect the Hamilton Hydroelectric Plant and record readings from gauges and meters, including pressures, voltage, output, and temperatures.
Start up and shut down hydroelectric generators and operate mechanical and electrical controls to regulate electric production.
Check the hydroelectric plant water-level indicator and battery systems; perform and document scheduled regulatory inspections of the plant, equipment, waterways, and crack monitoring.
Clean and maintain the hydroelectric plant and equipment, make minor repairs or adjustments, and keep water intake screens free of debris.
Operate, inspect, monitor, and tend combustion turbine power-generating and auxiliary equipment; record readings, make adjustments, report abnormal conditions, and take corrective measures.
Respond to control-panel supervisory alarms and take immediate remedial action, including manual equipment control when automatic controls fail or operate improperly.
Install, operate, repair, and maintain mechanical and operating systems at the Third Street Power Plant, including internal plumbing, heating, and other mechanical systems.
Prepare, implement, and maintain a maintenance schedule for the Third Street Power Plant; oversee, inspect, perform, or assign maintenance and upkeep tasks.
Visit designated locations to observe equipment and conditions and report unusual conditions to a supervisor.
Assist with dismantling, replacing parts in, reassembling, and testing turbines and generators; perform preventive maintenance on plant auxiliaries and hydroelectric systems.
Repair, overhaul, and reassemble pumps and other plant machinery and equipment using hand tools; lubricate equipment and make running adjustments and repairs.
Conduct rounds and inspections of turbine, auxiliary, and other operating equipment; check oil levels, packing glands, and bearing temperatures, and report abnormal conditions.
Perform scheduled maintenance and assist with repairing malfunctioning equipment and installing new equipment.
Maintain packing glands on wash-water, high-service, and sludge pumps in water reclamation facilities.
Assist with deep-well reconditioning, maintenance, and cleaning, including pulling, cleaning, painting, replacing worn parts, rigging, and repairing well houses and pumps.
Wash, clean, and remove settled solids from tanks; clean assigned machinery, equipment, and building floors.
Perform machine work, piping work, and repairs; install piping for liquids or compressed air; fabricate, maintain, and repair metal objects using machine tools and precision tools.
Perform electric welding, cutting-torch work, burning, brazing, and miscellaneous blacksmithing; use power bench tools in equipment repair and maintenance.
Sandblast, clean, and paint motors, piping, valves, and other equipment; assess used parts with micrometers, calipers, and specifications.
Record maintenance and repair services and track materials and parts used.
Use outdoor maintenance equipment to maintain City properties.
Study manufacturer manuals and blueprints and follow directions when operating or setting up newly acquired machinery.
Receive, review, use, and follow tasks from the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS); record, correct, add to, and provide feedback on CMMS information.
Travel as necessary to support Utility Operations facilities, including Greenup, Meldahl, and Hamilton Hydroelectric facilities, water plants, water reclamation facilities, the Third Street Power Plant, and other City facilities.
Occasionally act as crew leader over Plant Utility Workers, Plant Maintenance, and Laborers.
Perform related work as required.