Chief Stationary Engineer

Modified: March 28, 2018 3:19pm

COUNTY OF ERIE - DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL
invites applications for the position of:

Chief Stationary Engineer

#60-083 - Open Competitive (open to the public)

Salary: $41,034 - $53,100 Annually
Opening Date: March 28, 2018
Closing Date: May 2, 2018
Application fee: $20.00

Residence Requirements:

CANDIDATES MUST HAVE BEEN LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY FOR AT LEAST ONE MONTH IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE WRITTEN TEST AND MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY AT THE TIME OF APPOINTMENT. The eligible list resulting from this examination will be used to fill future vacancies in the Erie County Department of Public Works.

A promotion examination will be held at the same time as this examination. The list resulting from the promotion examination will be used first but appointments from this open competitive examination are anticipated. Use of the list may be suspended after it is one year old for any position which it is practical to fill through a new promotion examination.

Examples of Duties:

Chief Stationary Engineer supervises the operation and repair of a heating and power plant of a County building or institution; 

Supervises the operation, maintenance and repair of heating, generating systems, refrigeration, hot water, laundry, fire fighting, and elevator equipment;

Supervises stationary engineers, maintenance mechanics, and other personnel;

Schedules shifts and heating operations; determines order in which repairs will be made and lays out repair programs and inspects results of such work;

Makes regular inspections of building and equipment to see that efficient operations are maintained and safety regulations are met;

Supervises the operation of heating plant; starting and stopping of equipment; observing meters and gauges; and manipulating valves and other controls to regulate flow of water and fuel to meet need for steam;

Supervises and operates Energy Management Systems;

Supervises the implementation of preventative maintenance programs for areas supervised;

Supervises the adjustment of fuel feeds; velocity, location and volume of air, and computes combustion efficiency, and chemically treats boiler feed water to prevent boiler deposits;

Directs operation of refrigeration, air conditioning, and generating equipment, and installations of equipment interpreting blueprints and specifications;

Assigns and supervises workers; makes out schedules; trains and instructs workers in procedures; maintains attendance records;

Maintains records of temperatures, operating log of fuel consumed, steam produced and evaporated and other related reports;

Confers with administrative officer on requisitions, supplies, and equipment;

Accompanies boiler safety, and insurance inspectors in the plant and buildings.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Candidates must meet one of the following requirements on or before the date of the written test:

A) Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and completion of a recognized training in engineering, supplemented by three (3) years of experience in energy management systems including the operation of a pressure vessel, steam, hot water heating system, which must have included the operation and maintenance of chiller plant, diesel generators, pumps, air-conditioning equipment and general building maintenance; one (1) year which included supervisory experience, or:

B) Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma, supplemented by four (4) years of experience in the operation of a pressure steam or electric plant; two (2) years of experience in energy management systems including the operation of a pressure vessel, steam, hot water heating system, which must have included the operation and maintenance of chiller plant, diesel generators, pumps, air-conditioning equipment and general building maintenance; one (1) year which included supervisory experience, or:

C) Elementary education, supplemented by six (6) years of experience in energy management systems including the operation of a pressure vessel, steam, hot water heating system, which must have included the operation and maintenance of chiller plant, diesel generators, pumps, air-conditioning equipment and general building maintenance; one (1) year which included supervisory experience, or:

D) An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A), (B) and (C).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possession of a Chief Stationary Engineer's License, issued by the Board of Engineer's Examiners of the City of Buffalo, at the time of permanent appointment; and

All applicants must possess a Universal C.F.C. Certification prior to completion of probationary term.

Notes:

1. Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting the experience requirements. 

Examination date:

June 9, 2018

Applications Must Be Postmarked or Hand Delivered By:

May 2, 2018

The New York State Department of Civil Service has not prepared a test guide for this examination. However,candidates may find information in the publication "How to take a written test" helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available on line at: www.cs.ny.gov/testing/localtestguides.cfm

 

Subjects of Examination:

Subjects of Examination: A written test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and /or abilities in the following areas:

1. Operation and maintenance of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems

These questions test for knowledge of basic principles, practices and techniques essential to the correct operation and maintenance of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, including such areas as air supply and exhaust systems, circulating fan capacities, building ventilation requirements, steam, hot water, and hot air heating systems; boiler operation; the refrigeration cycle, types and characteristics of refrigerants, troubleshooting air conditioning system problems, and proper maintenance of air conditioning systems.

2. Reading and interpreting plans and specifications

These questions test for the ability to read and understand technical written specifications, and plans and diagrams of building mechanical systems. All the information needed to answer the questions will be in the written material and/or diagrams provided.

3. Operation, maintenance and repair of steam-generating systems including related mechanical and electrical equipment

These questions test for knowledge of the operating principles involved in various types of steam boilers and their accessories; the proper operating practices used when working with steam generating systems; and the functions of the various types of auxiliary mechanical and electrical equipment found in steam generating systems.

4. Energy management, conservation and environmental and safety concerns

These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices involved in conducting building and facility energy management programs, including the application of appropriate energy efficiency and conservation methods, environmental controls, and safe operating practices.

5. Mechanical and electrical trades

These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices involved in installing, operating, maintaining, and repairing various types of electrical and mechanical equipment used in heating and ventilating systems.

6. Supervision

These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices employed in planning, organizing, and controlling the activities of a work unit toward predetermined objectives. The concepts covered, usually in a situational question format, include such topics as assigning and reviewing work; evaluating performance; maintaining work standards; motivating and developing subordinates; implementing procedural change; increasing efficiency; and dealing with problems of absenteeism, morale, and discipline.

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES:  It is recommended that candidates use a quiet, hand held, solar or battery powered calculator.  Devices with typewriter keyboards, "Spell Checkers", “Personal Digital Assistants", "Address Books", "Language Translators", "Dictionaries", or any similar devices are prohibited.  You may not bring books or other reference materials.

**IMPORTANT APPLICATION FEE - READ CAREFULLY**

A $20.00 filing fee is required for this exam. The required fee must accompany your application. Send or bring check or money order made payable to Erie County Personnel Department and write the examination number(s) on your check or money order. Do not send or bring cash, as the County cannot be responsible for cash payment. As no refund will be made, you are urged to compare your qualifications carefully with the requirements for admission and file only for those examinations for which you are clearly qualified.