Plant Operator 1st Class

Overview

The Plant Operator 1st Class ensures the effective operation and maintenance of all hospital utility systems, including boilers, chillers, medical gas systems, and emergency power systems. This senior position requires advanced technical knowledge and independent troubleshooting to address complex system issues and minimize disruptions to hospital operations.Key responsibilities include performing preventive maintenance, conducting chemical testing, and maintaining accurate documentation for all utility systems. The Plant Operator 1st Class also plays a critical role in emergency preparedness by participating in drills, responding to system failures, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.This position collaborates with team members and vendors to complete projects efficiently and maintain compliance with life safety and infection control standards. The Plant Operator 1st Class also mentors lower-level operators, providing guidance on technical tasks and safety protocols. With a strong focus on operational efficiency, this role ensures hospital systems remain reliable and compliant, supporting safe and effective patient care.

Responsibilities

Operations* Assists with inspection, testing, maintenance tasks on emergency power systems, including generators and transfer switches. Accurately documents assigned work order progress and completion in the work order management system, and ensures timely work completion to minimize disruptions to patient care.* Performs assigned preventive maintenance, installation, testing, and treatment tasks on HVAC, refrigeration, medical gas and vacuum systems, pneumatic tube systems, and hydronic equipment such as boilers, chillers, cooling towers, and pumps. Ensures accurate documentation of work order progress and completion in the work order management system, prioritizing timely completion to minimize disruptions to patient care.* Performs daily equipment rounding and chemical testing for boilers and cooling towers, ensuring operating parameters are compliant with hospital policies and manufacturer's recommendations. Adjusts chemical treatment as qualified to improve equipment performance. Accurately documents all rounding, testing, and treatment activities.* Reads and interprets building plans, schematics, equipment manuals, and the building management system to diagnose and repair heating water, steam, chilled water, and other central energy plant equipment issues.* Maintains effective communication with team members, supervisors, and customers, responding to requests and providing updates as needed, to ensure a clear understanding of tasks and address any complications that arise.* Demonstrates the ability to maintain a clean and organized worksite, adhering to departmental expectations for cleanliness and safety, ensuring that all tools, equipment, and vehicles are properly maintained and stored.  Leadership* Mentors lower-level technicians by guiding them through system repairs, developing troubleshooting skills, and supporting them in performing tasks independently. Provides ongoing guidance to technicians, fostering skill development, ensuring adherence to safety protocols, and maintaining work standards.  Project Management* Analyzes basic work order patterns and suggests improvements to preventive maintenance routines, contributing to reduced downtime and increased operational efficiency.* Recommends creative solutions for facility-related issues, collaborating with department heads to implement functional, long-term improvements to hospital equipment and infrastructure. Assists with initiatives to enhance the efficiency and reliability of facility systems, continuously assessing operations and recommending improvements to optimize performance and reduce risks.* Coordinates contracted services with vendors and contractors for specialized repairs and services, managing project timelines and scheduling.  Compliance/Safety* Responsible for reporting any safety related incident in a timely fashion through the Midas/RDE tool; attends all safety related training programs; performs work in a safe manner; monitors work environment for possible safety issues and ensures others are also performing work in a safe manner.* Stays current and complies with state and federal regulations/statutes and company policies that impact the employees area of responsibility.* If required for position, ensures all certifications and/or licenses are up-to-date and valid prior to expiration dates.* Completes all company mandatory modules and required job specific training in the specified time frame.

Qualifications

EducationHigh School Diploma or equivalent - RequiredTechnical or vocational training in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, construction, or general facilities maintenance - Preferred  Certification & Licensures

Employees hired on or before September 1, 2025, will have 24 months from that date to complete the required certifications.

• Required:
  • Valid AZ Driver’s License with no moving violations for the previous 39 months
  • Fire extinguisher training (PASS) and certificate within 90 days of hire
  • Fire alarm (code response) training and certificate within 90 days of hire
  • OSHA 10 Certification, General Workers (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) within 90 days of hire
  • NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace (National Fire Protection Association) training and certificate within 180 days of hire
  • NFPA 99: Health Care Facilities Code (National Fire Protection Association) training and certificate within 180 days of hire
  • Boiler Operator training and certificate within 180 days of hire
  • Water Treatment training and certificate within 180 days of hire
  • Manufacturer specific building management system training and certificate (Honeywell, Siemens, Trane, etc.) within 180 days
  • Variable Frequency Drive Training and Certificate within one year of hire
  • Hydronic System Training and Certificate within one year of hire
  • Translogic Tube system operations and maintenance training within one year of hire
  • EPA 608 Certification Type 1, 2, 3, or Universal (Environmental Protection Agency), Commercial/Industrial
  • Refrigeration Certification, or similar within two years of hire
  • Sr Mechanic Evaluation and Certification for Health Care (Sr MECH) (American Hospital Association) within 5 years of hire.
• Preferred:
  • ASSE 6040 – Medical Gas Systems Maintenance Personnel or ASSE 6010 – Medical Gas Systems Installer
  • (American Society of Sanitary Engineering)
  • Certified Control Systems Technician (ISA), or similar within one year of hire
  • OSHA 30 Certification, Supervisor and Safety Workers (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) within 90 days of hire
  • CNFPA 110: Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems (National Fire Protection Association) training and certificate

  Experience

• 6 years in HVAC, refrigeration, controls and instrumentation, and other mechanical systems - Required
• 1 year in a healthcare facility - PreferredHealthcare is a rapidly changing environment and technology is integrated into almost all aspects of patient care. Computers and other electronic devices are utilized across the organization and throughout each department. Colleagues must have an understanding of computers, and competence in using computers and basic software programs.