Utility Mechanic

Seasonal Contract position supporting the National Science Foundation managed United States Antarctic Program as part of the Antarctic Support Contract (ASC). Utility Mechanics perform maintenance and repair workon construction and maintenanceprojects, or any combination thereof. Tasking is based on ASC schedule requirements.

Position Responsibilities (not all inclusive):

• Diagnose, repair, and perform scheduled Preventative Maintenance on existing buildings, systems, equipment, and infrastructure.

• Perform overhauls to include dismantling, replacing parts and making repairs to all facilities-related equipment including heating, ventilating, cooling, refrigeration, Overhead doors, hoists, compressors, hydronic systems, pumps, kitchen/galley equipment, shop tools and a wide variety of other types of equipment and their component parts including some non-facility capital assets such as exercise, medical and lab equipment.

• Perform preventive maintenance in accordance with the Preventive Maintenance Program.

• Diagnose and repair failures as they occur in support components including kitchen equipment.

• Assist Facilities Maintenance Supervisor and PM Foreman in determining materials for inventory re-supply. 

• Timely response to emergency service calls during and outside of normal working hours.

• Act as first responder to trouble calls on facilities and utilities systems.

• Perform plumbing, electrical and carpentry repairs to support systems and structures as necessary.

• Submit reports as required by supervisor, including the quality assurance self-inspections.

• Timely response to emergency service calls during and outside of normal working hours.

• Accurate and thorough documentation of hours worked, tasking performed, materials used, and processes involved

• Advise immediate Supervisor of job progress and material/labor requirements.

• Accomplish tasking working from Job Plans, verbal information, schematics, blueprints, wiring diagrams, documents, vendor/manufacturer manuals, and applicable specifications and codes.

• Follow established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and create or revise SOPs as needed. 

• Perform tasking outdoors in environmentally challenging conditions including wind and extreme cold weather

• Use solid decision-making ability and sound judgment to safely and effectively solve problems.

• Proactively identify any unsafe conditions or hazards and communicate them effectively

• Work directly with other departments to plan and complete tasking.

• Learn and use computer-based labor, material, and maintenance tracking applications.

• May deploy to remote research support facilities for day trips or extended periods (McMurdo only)

• Occasionally utilize the assistance of other station personnel to complete tasking, or assist other trades or departments with their tasking

• Comply with all ASC Environmental, Safety and Health (ESH), Waste Management and Quality Assurance requirements

• Participate in Work Center Safety Program and ASC safety objectives

• Participate in community programs such as “house-mouse” (chores), “daisy-picking” (station clean-up), “GASH” (galley clean-up at Palmer), and recycling efforts

• Perform other duties as required

Required Education, Experience, Certificates, and Licenses:

• High School diploma or GED

• Four years of experience in facilities maintenance to include all phases of preventive and corrective maintenance, including industrial and/or commercial facilities maintenance is required

• Work history must include the demonstrated ability to work independently 

• Minimum intermediate level computer skills with MS Office Suite experience to include Word, Excel and Outlook

• Ability to read and interpret design drawings, specifications, and diagrams

• Be able and willing to learn and effectively utilize computer-based labor, inventory, and maintenance tracking applications

• Possess the competencies, willingness, and ability to perform the duties of position

Expected Skills and Competencies:

• Ability to read and interpret design drawings, specifications, diagrams, maintenance manuals and manufacturer’s troubleshooting guides to accomplish tasking.

• Experience in writing up work plans, job hazard analysis, and job safety analysis related to the work activities under a permit to work system

• Skilled at troubleshooting using appropriate testing devices

• Experience in heating and ventilation system maintenance

• Experience in maintenance of commercial, government, industrial, and/or institutional building facilities

• Possess prior computer experience and be able and willing to learn and effectively utilizecomputer-based labor, inventory, and maintenance tracking applications  

• Competent in the appropriate use of personnel protective equipment (PPE) to include: safety glasses, toe protection shoes, and gloves

• Proficient in LOTO procedures for various tasking

• Proficient in confined space safety protocols 

• Knowledge of electrical safety procedures (NFPA 70E and OSHA)

• Proficient in risk assessment and determination of PPE appropriate to specific tasking

• Knowledgeable of limits of PPE and proper maintenance of PPE

• Familiar with use of respirators and fall protection equipment/devices

• Solid decision-making ability and sound judgment to safely and effectively solve problems

• Good organizational and planning skills

Preferred:

• Experience with Building Automation Systems

• Experience with installation and maintenance of fuel piping 

• Experience with maintenance of overhead garage doors 

• Experience in refrigeration, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and fuel oil burners

• Experience with Maximo or other Computerized Maintenance Management Systems

Physical and/or Other Requirements:

• Willingness and ability to deploy to Antarctica for extended periods 

• Successful completion of Medical and Dental examinations required by the NSF for deployment to Antarctica

• Successful completion of drug screening and background check required by employer

• Successful completion of Federal Background Check required by the NSF

• Must be willing and able to lift and move items, parts, assemblies, and equipment up to the safety regulation maximum as required by the position. 

• Must be willing and able to perform physical activities including heavy lifting, climbing in and out of equipment, crawling, and working outdoors in extreme cold as required by the position. 

• Must participate in community programs, such as “house-mouse” (chores), “daisy-picking” (cleaning-up around the station), recycling efforts & safety objectives. 

• Valid Driver’s License issued in the United States

• Must be able to obtain and maintain facility credentials/authorization. Note: US Citizenship is required for facility credentials/authorization at this work location.