Plant Utility Worker

Essential Job Functions

• Makes scheduled inspections of the Hamilton hydroelectric plant to ensure that all equipment is functioning properly and to read, and record on log sheets, the readings from gauges and meters with respect to pressures, voltage, output, temperatures, etc.
• Starts up and shuts down hydroelectric generators at the Hamilton Hydroelectric Plant according to the supply and flow of water; operates various mechanical and electrical controls in regulating the electric production.
• Checks to determine that the Hamilton Hydroelectric plant water level indicator and battery systems are functioning properly.
• Performs and documents all regularly scheduled regulatory inspections of the Hamilton hydroelectric plant and associated equipment and waterways, including crack monitoring and weekly inspections.
• Keeps the Hamilton Hydroelectric Plant building and equipment clean and make minor repairs or adjustments. Keeps water intake screens free of debris.
• Operates, inspects and tends combustion turbine power generating and auxiliary equipment
• Monitors the operation and condition of combustion turbine power generating and auxiliary equipment for proper operation, in accordance with established policies and procedures, takes and records a variety of readings, makes adjustments to turbine and auxiliary equipment and operating corrections as required; reports abnormal conditions; takes corrective measures.
• Reads turbine operating metering devices and records readings in plant log.
• Responds to supervisory alarms from the control panel and takes immediate remedial action including manual control of equipment in case of failure or faulty operation of automatic controls.
• Installs, operates and repairs mechanical and operating systems within the Third Street Power plant.
• Prepares, implements and maintains a schedule of maintenance for the up-keep of the City of Hamilton Third Street Power Plant.
• Oversees, inspects and performs maintenance at the Third Street Power plant and internal systems, including plumbing, heating, and other mechanical systems
• Knowledge of controls on building mechanical systems to ensure efficient and proper functioning of equipment
• Performs or assigns tasks involving the maintenance and up-keep of the Third Street Power plant.
• Visits designated locations, as directed, to observe equipment and conditions.
• Assists in taking down, replacing parts in, reassembling and testing turbine and generators.
• Performs preventive maintenance such as checking, lubricating, or inspecting plant auxiliaries and hydroelectric systems as directed. Reports any unusual conditions to their supervisor.
• Removes, tins, pours, grooves, scrapes and fits babbitted journal bearings; sets brass bushings; realigns crankshafts through adjustment of pedestal bearings; grinds valves and valve seats.
• Assists in repairing, overhauling and reassembling operating parts of pumps; uses hand tools in repairing and maintaining pumps, motors, air compressors, valves and other plant machinery and equipment.
• Takes and records various readings; changes charts on graphic instruments.
• Lubricates all plant equipment including turbine generators; inspects machines for hot bearings, sticking valves and other trouble, makes running adjustments and repairs.
• Assists in operating and tending auxiliary and other equipment, as assigned.
• Assists in rounds and inspection of turbine and auxiliary equipment and other equipment in operation; checks and maintains proper oil level; checks packing glands; checks bearing temperatures; reports abnormal conditions.
• Performs scheduled maintenance on equipment and facilities.
• Repairs, and assists with repair of, malfunctioning equipment and assists with installation of new equipment.
• Lubricates, cleans and maintains packing glands on wash water, high service pumps, and sludge pumps in a water reclamation plant.
• Assists in the reconditioning, maintenance and cleaning of deep wells; assists in pulling from ground, cleaning and painting and replacing of worn parts; and in setting up and tearing down rigging in the well fields; repairs well houses and pumps.
• Wash, clean and remove settled solids material from various tanks.
• Cleans machinery, equipment and floors of buildings as assigned.
• Performs skilled machine work, piping and repair.
• Installs piping to carry liquids or compressed air.
• Fabricates, maintains and repairs metal objects through the operation of lathes, shapers, planers, milling machines, drill presses and similar equipment; and gauges work carefully by using precision tools.
• Operates traveling screens in pump house as assigned.
• Performs electric welding; uses cutting torch; does burning, brazing and miscellaneous blacksmithing.
• Uses power bench tools (saws, pipe threader, welders, drill press, etc.) in repair and maintenance of equipment.
• Sand blasts, cleans, and paints motors, piping, valves and other equipment.
• Assess the condition of used parts using micrometers, calipers and specifications.
• Record all maintenance and repair services performed and keep track of all materials and parts used during the repair process.
• Uses outdoor maintenance equipment such as mowers, weed whackers, trimmers, sprayers to maintain various city properties.
• Studies manufacturer manuals and blueprints and carefully follow directions when operating or setting up newly acquired machinery.
• Receives, reviews, utilizes, and follows tasks from the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• Records, corrects, adds to, and provides feedback to information received from the CMMS system.
• Travels as necessary to support a variety of Utility Operations facilities, including the Greenup, Meldahl, and Hamilton Hydroelectric facilities, Water Plants, Water Reclamation Facilities, Third Street Power Plant, and other City facilities.
• Occasionally acts as crew leaders over Plant Utility Worker, Plant Maintenance, and Laborers.
• Occasionally works nights, weekends, and several weeks straight without time off to support urgent needs.
• Performs related work as required.

Skills/Knowledges/Abilities

• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the work.
• Knowledge of the functions and mechanics of the stationary equipment typically found in power plants, water plant, or water reclamation such as turbines, generators, pumps, motors, conveyors, air compressors and related equipment.
• Knowledge of the methods and practices used in operating a hydroelectric system including knowledge of efficient operating levels of water supply.
• Ability to read and interpret plans, blueprints, sketches, models and oral and written instructions.
• Knowledge of proper methods of oiling movable parts.
• Ability to check a wide variety of mechanical and electrical equipment and to detect defects or flaws in operation.
• Knowledge of the methods, materials, tools and practices of the mechanical trades.
• Knowledge of the general methods of carpentry and plumbing repairs, and skill in making general maintenance repairs.
• Some knowledge of the tools, materials, methods and standard practices of the machinist trade.
• Some knowledge of the inter-relationships between the various plant machines and equipment and the effect that faulty operation of one has on the system.
• Skill in the use of bench and hand tools, machines and equipment of the mechanical and related trades.
• Ability to make minor adjustments and repairs of automotive equipment and hydroelectric systems.
• Mechanical aptitude and good general intelligence.
• Ability to use independent judgment and to react quickly and calmly in an emergency.
• Ability to understand and carry out both oral and written directions.
• Ability to report malfunctions or irregularities in writing.
• Mathematical ability to perform necessary calculations to determine malfunctions or operational needs.
• Some knowledge of the principles of electrical power generation.
• Some knowledge of the principles of drinking water production.
• Some knowledge of the principles of water reclamation.

Training/Education/Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) [will be verified for finalists]; and
• One (1) year experience in power plant operations, water production operations, water reclamation operations, industrial maintenance, or utility maintenance; and
• Possession of a valid driver's license [will be verified for finalists].

• Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in power plant operations, water production operations, water reclamation operations, industrial maintenance, or utility maintenance.

The below information is solely intended as a summary of the benefits available and is subject to change. Not all benefits listed are available for every position. Benefits can vary depending on applicable labor agreements and/or salary plan.
Temporary and part-time positions are not eligible for the benefits listed below.
For specific questions, contact the HR Contact indicated on the Job Posting.

Health Insurance
The city offers medical, dental, and vision plans. The medical plan is a high deductible health plan (HDHP) with a health savings account (HSA).If you're hired on or before the 15th of a month, your healthcare begins on the first of the next month. When you're hired after the 15th of a month, your health coverage will start on the first of the second month following.

Holidays
For many employee groups, the City provides 17 days (136 hours/year) of paid holiday leave. These include: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.

Life Insurance
After six months of employment, employees are eligible for $10,000 coverage under our group life insurance policy. Additional coverage up to the employee's annual salary ($40,000 maximum) may be purchased. Upon retirement this coverage will be reduced to $4,000. The premiums will be paid by the City.

Voluntary Supplemental Benefits
Life insurance (term and whole life), critical illness/cancer, accident, short / long term disability insurance

Deferred Compensation Plan
This plan allows employees to build a financial reserve for retirement by using pre-tax, payroll deducted contributions. This money is held and invested by the plan's trustees in options selected by the employee. Risk levels vary depending on the options chosen. Participation is voluntary.

Retirement Plans
The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) and the Police and Fire Disability and Pension Fund (PFDPF) are the two plans available to City employees. Both are established by Ohio law and participation is required. Both the employee and the City of Hamilton contribute a percentage (pre-tax) into the system. Members do not pay into the Federal Social Security System. Employees and the City also contribute to Medicare.

EMPLOYEES WHO ARE COVERED BY A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT (CBA) MAY HAVE BENEFITS THAT DIFFER FROM THOSE NOTED ABOVE. IN THOSE INSTANCES, YOU MUST REFER TO THE CBA FOR SPECIFIC BENEFIT DETAILS. THIS LISTING IS NOT ALL-INCLUSIVE, BUT IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE A BRIEF OVERVIEW.