Thermal Distribution Mechanic III

Cordia•San Francisco, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Thermal Distribution Mechanic supports the safe, reliable, and efficient maintenance of Cordia’s district steam distribution system in San Francisco, California. The system includes two downtown steam plants and approximately 71,540 feet of distribution infrastructure serving about 175 customers across a two-square-mile area. Steam is used for space heating, domestic hot water, air conditioning, and industrial processes. This position helps maintain uninterrupted customer service by inspecting, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing distribution vaults, customer premises equipment, valves, traps, piping systems, and related components. Welding is a regular part of the role, used to maintain and repair distribution piping and related equipment. The mechanic is expected to demonstrate safe work practices, environmental stewardship, teamwork, and ethics, while applying sound mechanical judgment in field and shop assignments. The role requires working around hazardous materials, chemicals, and waste, and following applicable safety and environmental procedures. Employees must use appropriate personal protective equipment and remain familiar with hazard-response procedures. The position also involves routine cleaning and maintaining orderly work areas, tools, vehicles, and equipment, as well as using corporate software systems such as SAP for work orders, time, materials, expenses, and training.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
Three years of experience in mechanical maintenance, utility distribution, industrial facilities, or a similar position providing equivalent experience and skills; three years of experience in a related technical trade; or three years of qualifying military experience.
Demonstrated mechanical aptitude gained through work, education, military service, or personal experience.
Hands-on welding experience using SMAW or GMAW processes, including experience performing welds or repairs on industrial piping or steam distribution components where permitted by applicable work rules.
Valid driver’s license and ability to operate company vehicles and equipment.
Ability to communicate information clearly in English, both orally and in writing.
Understanding of plumbing and industrial piping-system design and operation, including valves, vessels, heat exchangers, pumps, and turbines.
Working knowledge of mechanical principles, including thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and the strength and properties of materials.
Knowledge of maintenance tasks such as equipment isolation, disassembly, inspection, reassembly, and testing.
Ability to manage multiple tasks or assignments simultaneously and perform arithmetic calculations involving flow, pressure, meters, and related operating measurements.
Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematic diagrams, procedures, and technical manuals.
Ability to communicate plant-system and equipment conditions clearly to others.
Ability to discern and respond to verbal and auditory signals, distinguish assorted colors, and record and analyze readings from electrical and mechanical meters.
Ability to work independently without direct supervision and successfully in a team environment.
Ability to operate company vehicles and equipment, including forklifts and plant vehicles.
Ability to use a personal computer and associated software, including corporate maintenance and work-order systems.
Ability to safely use, handle, and inspect equipment containing or near hazardous materials, hazardous chemicals, and hazardous waste, and to follow applicable safety and environmental procedures.
Ability to meet the physical requirements of the position, including frequent sitting, standing, walking, climbing/balancing, and reaching; regular stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling; and lifting up to 50 pounds regularly or occasionally, including occasional lifting of more than 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience maintaining thermal distribution, steam distribution, district energy, utility, or comparable industrial mechanical systems.
Current welding certification or documented welder performance qualification in accordance with applicable AWS or ASME standards, or the ability to obtain required site- or procedure-specific qualifications after hire.
Oxy-acetylene cutting experience.
Experience with industrial piping systems, steam distribution equipment, or confined-space work.

Responsibilities

Maintain, inspect, and monitor the steam distribution system, including vaults, piping systems, valves, traps, and customer premises equipment.
Perform system maintenance and repairs and troubleshoot distribution equipment to resolve operational problems and help maintain uninterrupted customer service.
Use applicable welding processes to fabricate, maintain, and repair distribution piping, steam-system components, and related equipment in accordance with approved procedures and safety requirements.
Inspect distribution assets, identify deficiencies, and assist with repairs or coordinated specialty work within the scope of the position and applicable work rules.
Recognize safety hazards and follow established guidelines to protect oneself, coworkers, and the public.
Work collaboratively with operators, maintenance personnel, contractors, and other team members.
Perform routine and preventive maintenance on distribution vault equipment, traps, valves, piping systems, and related components.
Comply with required safety procedures, including lockout/tagout (LOTO), confined-space entry, and fall protection.
Perform routine cleaning and maintain orderly work areas, tools, vehicles, and equipment.
Use corporate software systems, including SAP, to record daily time, code labor and materials for work orders, order and receive materials, complete expense reports, and satisfy online training requirements.
Maintain reliable transportation to and from the workplace and respond to assignments as required.
Assist operators and maintenance personnel with performance testing.
Perform required safety and environmental inspections and preventive-maintenance checks on operating and idle equipment.