Plant Utilities Engineer 1 (NY HELPS) (Two vacancies)

Job Description

TITLE: Plant Utilities Engineer 1 (NY HELPS) (Two vacancies)
LOCATION: MOC Heating Plant
UNIT: CSEA, OSU
CLASS: Competitive
SALARY: $59,049. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
DATE VACATED: 4/24/2025 and 11/5/2025
DATE POSTED: 11/10/2026
POST UNTIL: 11/20/2026

DESCRIPTION

A Plant Utilities Engineer 1 is responsible for the overall operation and maintenance of the University's Central Heating Plant, which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In this role, the incumbent ensures the safe, efficient, and continuous operation of plant systems and equipment supporting campus facilities. Responsibilities include the operation, maintenance, monitoring, and repair of a wide range of mechanical, electrical, and HVAC systems.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Operating, maintaining, and repairing steam and hot water boilers, water supply and return systems, electronic and pneumatic combustion and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control systems.
• Operating forced or induced draft fan systems, chiller systems, and other refrigeration equipment.
• Operating computers that control boiler operations, auxiliary equipment, and HVAC systems.
• Conducting boiler, HVAC, and water systems testing, analyzing results, and adding chemicals to maintain proper system functions.
• Balancing air distribution systems and maintaining proper air temperature, humidity, freshness, and flow quality.
• Cleaning, inspecting, and maintaining boilers by performing chemical cleaning of equipment, repairing brickwork, replacing tubes, and maintaining combustion and emissions systems.
• Performing chiller maintenance, including cleaning condenser tubes and evaporators, and maintaining and repairing pumps, air compressors, steam systems, cooling towers, motors, and variable frequency drives.
• Performing maintenance and repair on various water and sewage pumping, filtration, and treatment equipment.
• Cleaning, maintaining, and repairing HVAC systems and equipment; calibrating controls; performing air testing and chemical treatment; and replacing air filters.
• Responding to mechanical, electrical, or plumbing calls; troubleshooting and coordinating necessary repairs.
• Maintaining computerized energy management systems; troubleshooting problems; and identifying and replacing faulty equipment and devices.
• Identifying, recommending, and assisting in developing energy conservation projects and initiatives.
• Handling various types of hazardous materials and responding to incidents with potential environmental or safety impacts (e.g., chemical spills, oil spills, blowouts); implementing evacuation plans in emergency situations.
• Maintaining right-to-know libraries, responding to inquiries, assessing problems, and providing guidance related to incidents.
• Operating electrical distribution systems and related equipment, including generators, transformers, switchgear, and emergency power systems.
• Supervising subordinate staff, including Plant Utilities Assistants, Facility Operations Assistants, contractors, and other trades staff.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Competitive:

The successful candidate must be reachable on the full-time, permanent Civil Service list for Plant Utilities Engineer 1, have held the permanent title of Plant Utilities Engineer 1 in the past or be eligible to transfer into the title.

OR

Non-Competitive NY HELPS Qualifications:

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, candidates must meet the non-competitive minimum qualifications for this position:

1. Graduate of heating, HVAC, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration apprenticeship program from the U.S. Air Force.
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.
3. Must have been an enlisted power generation equipment repairer with the U.S. Army.
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.
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.
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).
7. Possession of a High-Pressure Boiler Operating Engineer License or Stationary Engineer License.
8. A bachelor's degree in Facilities Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Marine Engineering.
9. Four years 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.
10. Four years of full-time hands-on experience in a residential setting performing diagnosis, operation, maintenance repair of HVAC systems or boilers or auxiliary equipment.
11. An associate degree in HVAC AND two years of qualifying experience as described in EITHER qualification #9 or #10 above.
12. Completion of an HVAC certificate or diploma from a BOCES program (900 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 AND two years of qualifying experience as described in EITHER qualification #9 or #10 above.

Additional Information

These are full-time, permanent positions. You will start out on first shift during your training (7:00 AM - 3:00 PM) and will move to second shift (3:00 PM - 11:00 PM) once training is complete. Your shift may change at a later date depending on the eligible shift bid.

These positions involve shift work, which includes nights, evenings, weekends, and holidays (overnight shift: 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM).

For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.

The application deadline is November 30, 2026 . To be fully considered, applicants should aim to submit their materials by this date. The application period may be extended if a sufficient number of applications is not received.

At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

SUNY Oneonta values a diverse university community. Please visit our website on diversity at: https://suny.oneonta.edu/diversity . Moreover, the University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Women, persons of color, persons with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. "At SUNY Oneonta, we believe that diversity is an asset and a source of strength that energizes our collective growth and innovation." - President Alberto Cardelle."

Application Instructions

To apply online go to: http://oneonta.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=206613 . Please upload a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references (required).

For other employment and regional opportunities, please visit our website at: https://suny.oneonta.edu/about-oneonta/employment .