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. There is one present vacancy and there are eight anticipated vacancies at the Erie County Department of Public Works.

Examples of Duties:

A Stationary Engineer supervises and participates in the operation, maintenance and repair of an H.V.A.C. and power plant and other mechanical equipment during an assigned shift in a County building or institution; 

Supervises and participates in the operation, maintenance and repair of heating, generating, refrigeration, hot water, laundry, and kitchen equipment when in charge of an assigned shift;

Operates one or more gas, or oil-fired boiler to generate steam and power for physical plant;

Operates Energy Management Systems;

Controls generation of continuous supply of steam by regulating amount of fuel fed to each fire governing volume of water supplied;

Operates equipment such as regulating starting devices, adjustment levers, and throttles to start, stop, and regulate speed of pumps, boiler injectors, blowers and auxiliary equipment;

Observes steam, vacuum, water, and other meters and gauges to determine operating condition of equipment and keeps steam generating at required pressure and temperature;

Inspects, repairs, lubricates equipment such as boilers, oil feed burners, pumps, generators, motor; checks zone controls; water content; fire fighting equipment;

Maintains a preventative maintenance program for assigned area;

Makes repairs and maintains auxiliary equipment such as refrigerators, sewage systems, laundry, kitchen, elevators, air conditioning, steam lines, plumbing, and electrical equipment, hot water heaters and water purifiers;

Analyzes feed water and combustion products and determines necessary treatments;

Maintains operating log, including fuel and water consumption, steam produced and fuel gas content;

Supervises maintenance on all types of air conditioning equipment.

Qualifications:

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

Possession of a First Class Stationary Engineer's License, issued by the Board of Engineer's Examiners of the City of Buffalo, at the time of appointment.

Notes:

1.) A criminal background investigation may be conducted on applicants prior to hire.

2.) Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements.

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. 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.

5. 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.