Skilled Maintenance Worker - Facilities

Receives general supervision from the Facilities Maintenance Supervisor. Exercises no direct supervision over staff. May provide technical and functional direction to lower-level staff.

This is the full journey-level class in the facilities maintenance class series that performs mechanical and electrical maintenance duties at City buildings and facilities required to ensure that all are maintained in a safe and effective working condition and provide the highest level of safety for City and public use. Incumbents are responsible for performing maintenance and alterations on City buildings and facilities, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) and other electrical and mechanical systems; identifying and evaluating construction-related problems; and performing installation and repairs on plumbing systems. Incumbents are expected to work independently and exercise judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from Public Works Maintenance Lead Worker in that the latter is responsible for technical and functional supervision of lower-level maintenance staff and is capable of performing the most complex duties assigned to the function.

Examples of Duties

• Maintains and repairs City facilities, equipment, and buildings by performing a wide variety of carpentry, electrical, painting, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, and mechanical repair work.

• Installs, adjusts, repairs, inspects, tests, calibrates, troubleshoots, maintains, and services a wide variety of HVAC, and refrigeration equipment, including forced air furnaces, boilers, water pumps, chillers, air conditioning units, exhaust fans, air filters, compressors, cooling towers, heat exchangers, valves, and controllers.

• Installs, replaces, repairs, and adjusts valves, thermostats, filters, belts, fuses, and controls; insulates pipes of refrigeration and HVAC systems; cleans, lubricates, and adjusts systems.

• Checks computerized HVAC controls systems onsite or remotely to ensure proper functioning of all HVAC units and systems; oversees HVAC controls upgrades; troubleshoots Variable Frequency Drives.

• Diagnoses problems in the distribution of air to individual rooms and buildings; makes necessary adjustments to improve ventilation and circulation.

• Repairs and replaces plumbing fixtures, including sinks, toilets, faucets, and pipes.

• Performs journey-level carpentry work, including the construction, installation, remodeling, and repair of cabinets, partitions, walls, windows, doors, roofs, foundations, and other carpentry work.

• Operates, maintains, and repairs a variety of mechanical and power tools, equipment, and testing instruments, such as power saws, power sanders, drills, air compressors, paint sprayers, sewer augers, and various hand tools required for carpentry, plumbing, and maintenance, as well as electrical, air, water, and natural gas testing equipment, thermometers, voltmeters, ohmmeters, and pressure and vacuum gauges to locate and diagnose malfunctions of assigned systems and equipment.

• Performs electrical repair, installation, and troubleshooting of faulty outlets, light ballasts, switches, light fixtures, and transformers on parking lot light poles; installs electrical, conduit, and wiring; installs hardware and wiring for computers; puts connectors on cabling; moves phone lines.

• Prepares surfaces for painting or repainting; appropriately applies paint, varnish, shellac, enamel, lacquer, and other protective or decorative finishes to various interior and exterior surfaces using and operating the appropriate equipment.

• Performs the full range of masonry duties; installs and repairs drywall.

• Inspects facilities and buildings for damage and maintenance needs; recommends repairs.

• Assists other maintenance and mechanical personnel in the performance of complex or emergency duties as necessary.

• Maintains and vacuums City swimming pools, drinking fountain plumbing systems, and City decorative fountains; tests chemical balance and adds chemicals such as chlorine and acids as required; maintains accurate records; orders supplies, parts, and materials; picks up parts.

• Plans assigned work projects; prepares estimates of time and materials needed to perform assigned repairs and maintenance; ensures adequate materials and supplies are available for proper performance of maintenance work; assists in requisitioning and maintaining inventory of equipment, tools, parts, and supplies used in the maintenance and repair duties.

• Reads and interprets technical manuals, sketches, diagrams, and blueprints to facilitate installation, servicing, repair, and replacement services and activities.

• Monitors contractors working in and around buildings and facilities to ensure the work is appropriately performed to City standards.

• Responds to customer complaints and inquiries regarding facilities and buildings.

• Observes safe work methods and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment.

• Maintains public facilities, shop areas, storage sites, and other work areas in a clean and orderly condition, including securing equipment at the close of the workday.

• Maintains accurate manual and computerized logs and records of work performed and materials and equipment used; prepares reports as required.

• Responds to after-hours emergencies.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, methods, equipment, materials, and tools used in maintenance and repair of City buildings and facilities, including carpentry, plumbing, painting, and masonry, and mechanical and electrical work.

• Principles, theories, and standard practices of several maintenance trades as they apply to maintenance and repair of structures, machinery, and equipment.

• Operation and care of internal combustion engines and hydraulic equipment.

• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

• Occupational hazards and safety equipment and practices related to the work.

• Modern office practices, methods, computer equipment and basic computer software.

• Principles and procedures of record keeping and reporting.

• Safe driving rules and practices.

• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.

• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors and City staff.

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of complex technical tasks in the construction, maintenance, renovation, and repair of City buildings and facilities.

• Perform skilled work in carpentry, plumbing, roofing, painting, mechanical, heating, air conditioning, and electrical trades.

• Troubleshoot mechanical and electrical problems.

• Identify building maintenance needs and take corrective actions.

• Perform duties in a manner to maximize public safety in the area of building maintenance and construction.

• Operate a variety of vehicular and stationary mechanical equipment in a safe and effective manner.

• Safely and effectively use and operate hand tools, mechanical equipment, power tools, and light to medium equipment required for the work.

• Maintain tools and equipment in a clean working condition providing for proper security.

• Accurately determine project material needs and recommend purchases.

• Correctly interpret and apply the policies, procedures, laws, and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions.

• Read, interpret, and apply a wide variety of technical information from manuals, drawings, specifications, layouts, blueprints, and schematics.

• Maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of work performed.

• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

• Follow department policies and procedures related to assigned duties.

• Make accurate arithmetic calculations.

• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software.

• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.

• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.

• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.

• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade and three (3) years of experience in a skilled building and/or construction trade.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid California class C driver's license with satisfactory driving record and automobile insurance.

Supplemental Information

Employees work in and around buildings and facilities and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives, and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Working Conditions

May be required to be on-call and to work various shifts or emergencies on evenings, weekends, and holidays.