Power Plant Mechanic

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

2d•$100,812 - $134,580•Onsite

About The Position

Campus Energy, Utilities and Operations has an outstanding opportunity for a Power Plant Mechanic to join our team. Reporting to the WCUP Mechanic Lead, the WCUP Mechanic will work in the University of Washington West Campus Utility Plant, a highly complex chilling and emergency power plant that provides chilled water, future hot water and emergency power to a large campus with a combined teaching, research, and healthcare mission. Inspect, repair and maintain multiple chillers (1,500 ton or greater), and large cooling towers and pumps. Inspect, repair and maintain a diesel generator power station which provides emergency power for critical life-safety and other emergency power loads on campus. The Power Plant Mechanic is responsible for inspecting, maintaining and repairing mechanical systems in the University of Washington West Campus Utility Plant. This class requires journey-level ability in machinery repair, pipefitting, steamfitting, welding, rigging, carpentry, machining, plumbing, and a working knowledge of power plant operations and electrical distribution systems. May respond to emergency calls.

Requirements

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.
Full journey status as a Machinery Mechanic by work experience, vocational or trade school, apprenticeship programs, or any combination of the above; or four years of applied work experience. Vocational training may substitute for work experience on a year-for-year basis.
Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.
Have knowledge and understand of safe work practices and policies
Must be able to wear all proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required
Must be able to follow written and/or verbal instructions and communicate regarding the use of chemicals, supplies, and equipment; comply with safety policies and procedures
Must be able to get a EPA 608 certification within 6 months
Must be able to work in a diverse workforce
Must be able to work in a tobacco free and non-smoking environment
Must be able to work outdoors under all weather conditions
Must be able to be fitted for and wear a respirator on the job.
Have possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license recognized by the State of Washington and have a good driving record
Must be able to communicate effectively with staff on portable hand-held radios with the Seattle Fire Department, University Police Department, and other Facilities Services staff.
Must be able to follow all Washington State safety rules and regulations
Must be able to lift or carry heavy objects, work in confined spaces, restricted movement areas, mechanical/electrical spaces, and around operating equipment such as boilers, fans, pumps, and transformers, etc. for extended periods of time and be able to climb ladders and work at heights
Must be able to work both independently and as a team member
Must maintain a professional appearance at all times
Regular and predictable attendance is required
Approved footwear must be provided by the employee and worn on the job (footwear expense may be reimbursed per allowance guidelines).

Nice To Haves

Five or more years of experience as a Power Plant Mechanic working on complex and critical systems, and with a complete understanding on how to work safely on steam systems
EPA 608 certification
Experience developing and testing Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and/or Emergency Operating Procedures (EOP) in similar facilities
Experience participating in operational ‘drills’ to validate and improve crew response and understanding of procedures.
Experience and training in the operations and maintenance of large chillers and/or diesel generators in similar facilities
Experience as a Machinery Mechanic working on complex and critical systems in a power plant or comparable facility, must have a thorough understanding on how to work safely around live systems
Experience with Lean implementation
Experience in applicable basic desktop computer skills, maintenance work request and work order programs and working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook as well as Adobe Acrobat or Bluebeam.
Trade experience should including welding, pipefitting, and steam fitting
Demonstrated ability for metal fabrication using the appropriate metal working tools

Responsibilities

Perform journey-level mechanical work supporting operation, maintenance, repair, and alteration of power plant systems
Maintain and repair Chillers, cooling towers, fans, pumps, valves, air compressors, Media filters, pumps, tanks, piping, heat exchangers and valves
Perform Lockout Tagout of plant systems to establish safe working conditions
Maintain auxiliary systems such as pressure-reducing valves, hydraulic cylinders, electric motors, and cooling tower equipment
Conduct shaft alignment checks on rotating machinery
Install, maintain, and repair piping systems for steam, chilled water, condensate, fuel, chemicals, and compressed air
Write/test/Perform operational procedures to perform system or component maintenance
Perform operational duties of an operator in support of the continuous operations of the West Campus Utility Plant, including but not limited to, monitoring and operating equipment required to meet the service expectations of our customers using an Allen Bradley Rockwell PLC-based automated control system and Factory Talk HMI
Perform work in confined spaces (e.g., cooling towers, tanks, ductwork, ect)
Respond to emergency situations such as critical plant alarms and system failures requiring human intervention
Operate machine shop equipment (lathes, milling machines, presses, welding and cutting tools) to fabricate parts and use a wide range of hand tools and perform routine maintenance
Operate vehicles and equipment such as service vans and forklifts; handle materials and supplies
Provide guidance to helpers, support other trades or vendors as needed, and perform additional assigned duties