BUILDING EQUIPMENT MECHANIC

SENIOR BUILDING EQUIPMENT MECHANIC

Job Specifications

Class Code:	MH3/MH6
Analyst:	JF /TC / SC

Date Originated:	8/79
Date Revised:	1/82,  4/95, 11/11, 06/20

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, maintain, service, troubleshoot and repair heating, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigeration and related systems; and perform other duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Building Equipment Mechanic is the journey level mechanic classification. These employees perform the full range of maintenance and repair activities for the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems in a variety of buildings and structures throughout the County.

Senior Building Equipment Mechanic is the advanced journey level mechanic classification. These employees perform maintenance and repair of the more difficult and complex equipment/systems and perform higher level duties including: diagnose operating problems and system malfunctions; determine parts and equipment needs and prepare job estimates; calibrate, adjust, troubleshoot, replace and repair pneumatic, electronic and electrical control systems; modify the programming of automated control systems as directed; develop and revise operating procedures and instructions; provide information to engineers and contractors regarding the location and characteristics of heating and air conditioning equipment and ducts. Incumbents in this class may be assigned to train and review the work of Building Equipment Mechanics, provide direction on the more difficult assignments, and provide supervision in the absence of the supervisor.

TYPICAL TASKS

Maintain, service, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and related systems including reciprocating and centrifugal compressors; remove components such as evaporators, condensers or compressors for repair or replacement; exchange power-heads on thermostatic expansion valves or replace the complete valve; evacuate or pump down a system for repair work or to exchange parts and components using EPA approved equipment and procedures; prepare the system for recharging and recharge with refrigerant; change or add oil to compressors; pressure test centrifugal compressors using EPA approved methods to find and stop leaks; repair purge compressors on centrifugal chillers; check settings on pressure controls and re-calibrate; replace inoperative or defective controls; maintain and repair hot water boilers and make adjustments to the air-fuel mixture; service boiler controls to assure automatic operation and flame control; test for, adjust and maintain water treatment chemical levels in heating and cooling water systems and cooling towers; change seals on centrifugal water pumps; calibrate and service control devices for boilers, chillers, heating, air conditioning and refrigeration units; cut and fit various types of piping and tubing; change bearings and motor mounts on electric motors; adjust, service and repair dampers; maintain and repair fans, air handlers, bearings, sheaves, v-belts, and pulleys; check and maintain air distribution systems consisting of ducts, plenums, mixing boxes, dampers and diffusers; maintain gasoline, natural gas and diesel generators; change filters; grease motors; recover refrigerants; replace or repair blower shafts and bearings; use a computer terminal to input and access data; drive light vehicles; may direct and supervise maintenance workers and temporary, volunteer and other laborers as needed.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

Building Equipment Mechanic

Working knowledge of:

• The Uniform Mechanical Code.
• Pipe fitting and centrifugal pumping equipment repair.
• Electrical circuitry including multiple function timers, multiple step temperature controllers and related troubleshooting procedures.
• Energy conservation concepts.
• Preventative maintenance concepts and procedures.
• The principles and practices of maintaining, repairing and installing air conditioning, refrigeration, heating and ventilating systems.
• The principles of combustion, heat transfer and automatic combustion control system operation.
• Standard safety devices used on boiler and refrigeration equipment and safety factors to observe.
• The effects of standard water treatment chemicals.
• The tools and equipment used in heating, air conditioning, refrigeration and general maintenance work.
• The fundamentals of air conditioning air distribution and refrigeration.

Senior Building Equipment Mechanic

Thorough knowledge of the above, plus:

Some knowledge of:

• The basic principles of supervision and training.

Ability to:

Building Equipment Mechanic

• Learn and understand State and local laws, ordinances and regulations pertaining to air conditioning, refrigeration, heating and ventilating equipment.
• Read and understand equipment specifications and repair manuals.
• Read, interpret and work from blueprints, drawings and construction and engineering specifications.
• Understand and apply written, oral and diagrammatic instructions.
• Learn to use a computer terminal to input and access data.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare routine reports.
• Diagnose operating problems and repair equipment such as refrigeration pumps, valves, connections, condensers, auxiliary equipment and pneumatic or related electronic instruments.
• Independently operate and maintain medium and small-capacity boiler air conditioning, heating and related equipment.
• Install heating, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment and ducts.
• Perform preventive maintenance on all types of machinery associated with the production and distribution of steam and heated and chilled water.
• Perform standard chemical tests of water and adjust chemical mixtures to desired values.
• Skillfully use standard hand and power tools.
• Provide direction to others assigned to assist on various projects.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Lift items weighing up to 80 pounds, such as containers of refrigerant, barrels of treatment chemicals, refrigerant recovery equipment, motors, ladders and tool boxes.
• Perform tasks requiring strength, such as lifting equipment into trucks and working overhead with heavy tools and materials.
• Perform tasks that require coordination and balance, such as standing on a ladder to make overhead installations, repairs, and equipment adjustments.
• Perform tasks requiring manual dexterity, such as troubleshooting a "hot" electrical panel and assembling machinery.
• Fit through a standard access opening 18 inches in diameter.
• Drive light vehicles, such as pick-up trucks.
• Distinguish colors, such as color-coded electrical wires and chemical test results.
• Hear and distinguish various sounds, such as the sounds of operating equipment to detect malfunctions and the voices of coworkers in noisy work settings.
• Put on, wear and use a respirator and other safety equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses, safety shoes and ear protection.

Senior Building Equipment Mechanic

The above, plus:

• Independently maintain and repair a variety of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and control systems.
• Diagnose operating problems and malfunctions of mechanical systems and controls and restore to specified operating standards.
• Modify heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems to improve efficiency and economy.
• Develop and prepare revisions to operating procedures and instructions.
• Train and review the work of staff.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Building Equipment Mechanic: Two years of experience maintaining, servicing and repairing heating, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigeration and related systems.

Senior Building Equipment Mechanic: Three years of experience maintaining, servicing and repairing heating, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigeration and related systems, at least one year of which must be equivalent in scope and breadth to the Building Equipment Mechanic classification in the County of Santa Cruz.

Special Requirements, Conditions:

License, Certificate: Possession of a valid California class C driver license.

Upon 6 months of employment, must maintain and secure Certification as a Universal Technician by a certifying organization approved by the Environmental Protection Agency as required by section 608 of the Clean Air Act, 1990, as amended, including final regulations, 1993.

Special Working Conditions: Exposure to: variable temperatures and weather conditions; cramped work spaces, such as ventilation ducts and crawl spaces; heights, such as working on roofs and ladders; high noise levels such as the sound of diesel engines and other machinery; dust; the possibility of experiencing burns, electrical hazards, contact with toxic substances and chemical irritants, infections from exhaust streams in correctional/medical settings, bodily injury from moving objects, such as machinery, fans and belts, and working alone in isolated areas.

Other Special Requirements: Availability to work irregular hours, including on-call duty to provide emergency repair of heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems and to repair and maintain County buildings and equipment.

PREVIOUS CLASS TITLES: None.

Bargaining Unit: 41

EEOC Job Category: 07

Occupational Grouping: 36

Workers' Comp Code: 1160