Plant Utilities Assistant (SG-09)

S365P

Plant Utilities Assistant (SG-09)

04/18/2025

Facilities Management

Full Time

$41,399 ( $3,400 location pay)

$41,399 ( $3,400 location pay)

Plant Utilities Assistants perform semiskilled tasks in the operation, maintenance, and repair of mechanical and electrical equipment providing heat, hot water, ventilation, air-conditioning, and electrical distribution under direction of Plant Utilities Engineers.

Illustrative Tasks
May perform all of the same duties and functions as a Facility Operations Assistant 1 (Utilities).
Monitors equipment consoles.

• Reads, analyzes, and follows up on all console readings, charts, and trouble calls.
• Adjusts equipment controls to correct malfunction when indicated by observation or in response to a signal.
• Reads and records gas, steam, water, and electrical meter readings.
• Fills out plant logs, incident and Quality Assurance Reports.
• Advises supervisor when repairs are required.
• Receives and distributes fuel supplies required for all program locations.
• Performs preventive maintenance on heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems.
• As instructed, and under the guidance and supervision of qualified personnel,

uses specific chemicals to treat water used in heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems.

• Cleans strainers and coils.
• Maintains steam traps.
• Changes filters.
• Regenerates water softeners.
• Installs, removes, washes, and stores window air conditioners.
• May determine if refrigeration system is low on refrigerant; if so, identifies type and amount of refrigerant needed, and prepares system for charge.
• Performs minor repairs such as replacing worn gaskets, changing belts and tightening joints, and assisting Plant Utilities Engineers 1 in the maintenance and overhaul of boilers and in the repair of stationary equipment.
• Performs semiskilled plumbing, electrical, and refrigeration work, and skilled work in these areas under supervision, or after receiving detailed instructions.
• Determines if water regulator valves need rebuilding or repair.
• Threads, solders or glues and installs pipe.
• Re-packs pumps and valves.
• Assists in the repair, maintenance, and operation of plant alarm and signal systems.
• Assists in the monitoring and operation of building management or automation systems, and energy management systems related to the control of clocks, lighting, filtering systems, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and boiler energy management systems.
• Cleans mechanical rooms.
• As assigned, during night shifts, weekends or on holidays, responds to calls concerning mechanical, electrical, or plumbing breakdowns outside of the plant, troubleshoots the problem, and makes necessary repairs or advises the appropriate authority regarding the problem.
• Provides instruction to Facility Operations Assistants 1 (Utilities) and other labor class

positions on routine jobs and equipment inspections.

Minimum Qualifications

Either 1. Graduate of heating, HVAC, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration apprenticeship program from the U.S. Air Force;
Or 2. Must have been an enlisted machinery technician (MK) with the U.S. Coast Guard OR possession of a certificate as a Marine Engineer issued by the U.S. Coast Guard;
Or 3. Must have been an enlisted power generation equipment repairer with the U.S. Army;
Or 4. Must have been an enlisted gas turbine systems technician, submarine nuclear propulsion plant operator reactor control, utilities man, machinist mate, or engineman with the U.S. Navy; Or 5. Must have a Merchant Mariner’s Document (MMD) and have been a qualified member of the engine department (QMED) as an oiler, fireman/water tender, refrigerating engineer or engineman with the U.S. Merchant Marine;
Or 6. Completion of a New York State Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program for stationary engineers, plant maintenance (plumber/steamfitter), HVAC Mechanic or plant maintenance (refrigeration/AC);
Or 7. Possession of a High-Pressure Boiler Operating Engineer License or Stationary Engineer License;
Or 8. A bachelor’s degree in Facilities Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Marine Engineering;
Or 9. An associate’s degree in HVAC;
Or 10. One (1) year of full-time hands on experience in the maintenance and operation of commercial, industrial, institutional facility, computer applications of digital energy platforms and building analytics and/or performing diagnosis, repair of HVAC systems or boilers or auxiliary equipment;
Or 11. One (1) year of full-time hands on experience in a residential setting performing diagnosis, operation, maintenance repair of HVAC systems or boilers or auxiliary equipment;
Or 12. Completion of an HVAC certificate or diploma from a BOCES program (440 hours) OR completion of an approved certificate in HVAC, electrical, refrigeration, boiler operations and maintenance, or plumbing from an accredited technical school or technology college.

Valid driver’s license required. Candidates may be required to work overtime.

The Heating Plant is a twenty-four (24) hour operation with rotating shifts. Position works a 5 day work schedule with 2 pass days (may include working Saturday and Sunday, holidays and providing coverage {including emergencies} on the following shifts: 7:00 am to 3:00pm, 3:00 pm to 11:00pm and 11:00 pm to 7:00 am). Work schedule to be determined by management.

Candidates must take and pass a NYS Department of Civil Service exam for a Plant Utilities Assistant, SG-9

Note: all classified employees assigned to Grounds, Custodial, Heating/Plumbing, Electrical, Automotive, Residential Facilities and Maintenance Trades Departments are deemed to be essential employees. In the event of an emergency, essential employees are required to report to work as scheduled and remain at work, if needed, based upon the operational needs of Purchase College.

Benefits -

• Health, dental, and vision benefits are available to eligible employees after a 28-day waiting period. More information regarding other benefits such as generous paid time off, tuition assistance, and retirement systems can be found on SUNY’s Benefit Summaries website.

• Purchase College is a qualifying government employer allowing eligible employees to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

• Access to the NAEYC-accredited, on-campus child care at The Children’s Center.

• Discounted access to the world-class Performing Arts Center, free admission to the Neuberger Museum of Art, and free access to the athletic facilities.

• Other benefits include business-casual dress and an opportunity to telecommute (dependent on job function and operational need). For detailed information on some of the College’s employee benefits, visit the College’s Human Resources/Benefits website.

Nondiscrimination Policy – Purchase College is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to service, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual’s race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, or criminal conviction. Employees, students, applicants, or other members of the Purchase community (including vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic. To view the entire policy, please visit the following website: Purchase College Human Resources Policies and Procedures website.

Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Purchase College is an AA/EEO employer. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, without exception, prepare, publish, and distribute an Annual Security Report. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three years; and the availability regarding the University’s current campus security policies. Purchase College’s Annual Security Report is available at Purchase College NYS University Police Website.

06/02/2025