Four years of progressively responsible experience operating, monitoring, or maintaining industrial central plant heating and cooling systems using high-temperature, high-pressure hot-water generators, industrial chillers, and chilled-water storage tanks in hot- and chilled-water production.
Two of the four years of experience must include safely servicing, troubleshooting, and operating central plant auxiliary equipment, including air compressors, pumps, cooling towers, and heat exchangers.
Knowledge of and ability to apply boiler and generator safety controls and troubleshoot them.
Ability to start and stop equipment using the Building Automated System (BAS).
Ability to make decisions, take action, or direct the actions of others to maintain or restore service.
Knowledge of the principles and operating characteristics of central plant heating and air-conditioning systems, and the skill to perform journey-level work.
Skill in using tools, technical manuals, schematics, blueprints, manufacturer materials, and other equipment and guides in journey-level HVAC work.
Ability to analyze data and information, including blueprints and schematics.
Ability to work safely and knowledge of applicable safety rules, regulations, and procedures.
Ability to speak and write effectively.
Skill in using a computer, computerized work-order system, and time-and-attendance system.
High school diploma or a Certificate of General Educational Development (GED).
A state driver's license in good standing.
Universal Certification (Section 608) to service HVAC/refrigeration equipment from the Environmental Protection Agency within 90 days of hire, promotion, or placement in the job; certification must be maintained.
Ability to operate a vehicle airside and landside, requiring an AOA permit.
Ability to perform moderate to heavy physical exertion, including lifting up to 75 pounds, bending, stooping, crouching, and working in cramped positions.
Ability to work around potential airport and HVAC hazards, including fumes, hazardous chemicals, jet-aircraft noise, high-pressure boilers and HVAC units, burns or scalds, falls, and moving equipment, using personal protective gear as necessary.
Availability for hold-over and recall on a 24-hour basis for essential services and emergencies, such as snow removal.
A background security investigation is required for new hires.
Responsibilities
Maintain the safe and efficient operation of industrial high-temperature, high-pressure hot-water boilers, chillers, thermal ice-making machines, rooftop units, heat pumps, electric or gas-fed heaters, and air handlers.
Receive after-business-hours trouble calls and take appropriate action on HVAC-related requests; refer non-HVAC requests to duty personnel in other disciplines.
Record meter and gauge readings on high-pressure boilers, chillers, thermal ice-storage machines, and control panels, and adjust controls as needed.
Operate and troubleshoot industrial boilers, high-temperature, high-pressure generators, and auxiliary equipment.
Advise the HVAC Operator in Charge and HVAC Supervisor of major malfunctions or improperly operating safety controls.
Advise the Interior Electrician of power-related issues and alarms affecting equipment.
Restart boilers and chillers following power outages.
Respond to miscellaneous alarm panels for electrical and water distribution systems.
Make rounds of machine rooms to verify HVAC equipment is operating properly and perform minor repairs or adjustments.
Respond to trouble calls and troubleshoot malfunctioning HVAC equipment.
Perform preventive maintenance on HVAC equipment, including during evening, night, or weekend shifts when not responding to emergencies or troubleshooting, as directed.
Complete work orders as an HVAC Operator on the day shift.
Apply trade theories, principles, requirements, and standards, using the full range of trade tools.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Desired Qualifications
Maryland Stationary Engineer — Grade 1 license.
District of Columbia Class 3 Steam and Hot Water Heating Boiler Engineer license.
Journey-level HVAC Mechanic license.
Compensation Grade:
T19
Salary Range:
$35.01-$45.50
Opening Date:
September 18, 2026
Closing Date:
Please Note: All job announcements close at 11:59 p.m. of the day before the posted closing date.
As an HVAC Utility Operator, you will maintain the safe and efficient operation of industrial boilers, chillers, heat pumps, and other HVAC equipment.
HVAC Utility Operator
This is a journey (full performance) level job in the HVAC series.
Works under the direction of the HVAC Operator in Charge when on duty evening, night, and weekend shifts. Works under the direct supervision of the HVAC Operator Group Supervisor. May take direction from the Air Conditioning Group Supervisor or the HVAC Mechanics and Controls Group Supervisor.
Serves in the Utilities Division in the Engineering and Maintenance Department at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Maintains the safe and efficient operation of industrial high-temperature and pressure hot-water boilers, chillers, and thermal ice-making machines, as well as roof-top units, heat pumps, electric or gas-fed heaters, and air handlers. When on evening, night, and weekend shifts, responds to emergency and trouble calls. Completes work orders as an HVAC Operator on the day shift. Performs preventive maintenance evenings, nights, or weekends if not responding to emergencies or troubleshooting, as directed. Performs related functions.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Receives after-business-hours work requests (trouble calls); takes appropriate action(s) for HVAC-related requests. Refers non-HVAC requests to duty personnel in other disciplines.
Records readings of meters and gauges on high-pressure boilers, chillers, thermo ice-storage machines, and control panels. Adjusts controls as needed. Operates and troubleshoots issues with industrial boilers and high temp high pressure generators and auxiliary equipment.
Advises the HVAC Operator in Charge and HVAC Supervisor when major malfunctions occur or when safety controls are not operating properly.
Advises the Interior Electrician of power-related issues and alarms affecting equipment.
Restarts boilers and chillers following power outages.
Responds to miscellaneous alarm panels for electrical and water distribution systems.
Makes rounds of various machine rooms to ensure that the HVAC equipment is operating properly and makes minor repairs or adjustments.
Responds to trouble calls and troubleshoots malfunctioning HVAC equipment.
Performs preventive maintenance on HVAC equipment.
Applies the theories, principles, requirements, and standards of the trade and uses the full range of tools of the trade.
Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Four years of progressively responsible experience in operating, monitoring, or maintaining industrial central plant (not domestic) heating and cooling systems using high temperature-high pressure hot water generators, industrial chillers, and chilled water storage tanks in hot and chilled water production.
Two of the four years of experience must be in safely servicing, troubleshooting, and operating all central plant auxiliary equipment, including air compressors, pumps, cooling towers, and heat exchanges.
Knowledge of and ability to apply boiler and generator safety controls, and troubleshooting.
Ability to start and stop equipment using the Building Automated System (BAS).
Ability to make decisions, take action, or direct the actions of others to maintain or restore service.
Knowledge of the principles and operating characteristics of central plant heating and air-conditioning systems and the skill to perform journey-level work.
Skill in using tools, technical manuals, schematics, blueprints, manufacturer’s materials, and other equipment and guides in journey-level HVAC work.
Ability to analyze data and information (including blueprints and schematics).
Ability to work safely and knowledge of the safety rules, regulations, and procedures to do so.
Ability to speak and write effectively.
Skill in using a computer, computerized work order, and time and attendance system.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Licensed as a Maryland Stationary Engineer - Grade 1.
Licensed as a District of Columbia Class 3 - Steam and Hot Water Heating Boiler Engineer.
Licensed as a Journey-level HVAC Mechanic.
Universal Certification (Section 608) to service HVAC/refrigeration equipment from the Environmental Protection Agency.
EDUCATION
A high school diploma or a Certificate of General Educational Development (GED).
CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES REQUIRED
A state driver’s license in good standing.
Universal Certification (Section 608) to service HVAC/refrigeration equipment from the Environmental Protection Agency within 90 days of hire, promotion, or placement in the job.
NECESSARY SPECIAL FACTORS
Must maintain certification.
Operates vehicle airside and landside (requires AOA permit).
Work is typically reviewed in progress and upon completion for quantity, quality, timeliness, teamwork, customer service, and other factors.
Work requires moderate to heavy physical exertion (lifting objects up to 75 pounds). May bend, stoop, crouch, and work in a cramped position.
May be subject to potential hazards common to the airport environment and HVAC systems, such as fumes, hazardous chemicals, noise from jet aircraft, high-pressure boilers and HVAC units, burns or scalds, falls, and danger of moving equipment. Wears personal protective gear, as necessary.
Is subject to hold-over and recall on a 24-hour basis for essential services and emergencies, such as snow removal.
WHAT WE OFFER
A career with the Airports Authority comes with more than just a paycheck it offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family’s health, financial security, and professional growth. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; well-being resources; health savings and flexible spending accounts; pension and retirement plans; and ongoing training and development opportunities. Discover more about our benefits package here.
A background security investigation will be required for all new hires.
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer.| Follow us on Twitter @MWAAcareers.