Steam Operating Engineer
Class Specifications – G.15
Chief Steam Operating Engineer – 8233
Assistant Chief Steam Operating Engineer – 8234
Lead Steam Operating Engineer – 8235
Steam Operating Engineer – 8239
Apprentice Steam Operating Engineer – 8240
July, 1986
Series Concept
Steam Operating Engineers operate, maintain and repair high pressure steam generating, heating,ventilating and air conditioning equipment; and perform other related duties as required.
Class Concepts
Chief Steam Operating Engineer
Under direction, incumbents supervise the operation, maintenance and repair of high pressure steam generating, heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment.
Incumbents typically assign Steam Operating and Service Engineers to shifts; schedule and coordinate work; conduct general inspection of maintenance; supervise the starting, feeding and regulating of fires, operation and adjustment of forced draft equipment, and testing and treating of boiler water; supervise the operation and maintenance of associated equipment; direct the servicing of boilers, water pumps, vacuum and oil pumps, valves and other equipment; order material, equipment and supplies for the plant; review log sheets and steam charts; maintain records of boiler operation and other operating records; and perform the duties of a Steam Operating or Service Engineer as required. This class is distinguished from the Assistant Chief Steam Operating Engineer in that incumbents plan, supervise and review the work in a steam plan.
Assistant Chief Steam Operating Engineer
Under general supervision, incumbents assist in the supervision of the operation, maintenance and repair of high pressure steam generating, heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment. Incumbents supervise Steam Operating and Service Engineers in the operation of boilers or hot water generators, the steam plant and associated equipment on a shift or weekend schedules when the Chief Steam Operating Engineer is not on duty; conduct general inspection of maintenance; handle emergencies occurring during their work schedule; determine whether repairs should be made by the regular staff or by craft workers; supervise craft workers·such as physical plant or maintenance craft workers in major repair and maintenance work such as the taking down of boilers; assist the Chief Steam Operating Engineer in ordering supplies, keeping records and preparing reports such as records of steam and gas flow; and assist in the assignment of personnel to shifts. This class is distinguished from Steam Operating Engineer in that incumbents supervise Steam Operating and Service Engineers and/or craft workers in the steam plant on alternate shifts and assume responsibility for the plant during the absence of the Chief Steam Operating Engineer.
Lead Steam Operating Engineer
Under genera supervision and in the absence of the Assistant Chief Steam Operating Engineer, incumbents serve as working leaders of a small crew of Steam Operating Engineers. Incumbents typically perform the work of Steam Operating Engineers in addition to transmitting orders and explaining tasks to co-workers and performing record keeping and ordering functions.
Steam Operating Engineer
Under supervision incumbents perform operational level duties in the operation, maintenance and repair of heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment; gas and oil-fired high pressure boilers; and compressors and auxiliary equipment used in the manufacture and distribution of steam, chilled water, compressed air and distilled water. Steam Operating Engineers stand boiler watch; feed and regulate fires; maintain proper pressures, temperature, water levels and concentrates; inspect, adjust and make normal and emergency repairs to boilers, burners, pressure regulators, piping and pumps; report breakdowns requiring outside repair; assist in making major repairs to steam lines; maintain and clean boilers regularly; clean fire tubes and fumes by the use of blowers and rods; service compressors; vacuum pumps and other equipment by oiling parts and packing valves; make boiler water chemical tests and treat water as tests indicate; keep log of steam plant operations; operate and/or maintain associated stationary equipment such as water chillers, pumps, cooling towers, water stills, and heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment. May perform minor plumbing such as cleaning strainers and changing filters.
Apprentice Steam Operating Engineer
Under close supervision, incumbents participate in a prescribed program of work experience and vocational education and upon completion progress to the level of Steam Operating Engineer.
Incumbents assist journey-level Steam Operating and Service Engineers in the performance of duties in areas of heating and ventilation and related controls; maintenance of mechanical equipment; steam plant operation; refrigeration and air conditioning; and related record keeping and ordering. As part of a bona fide apprentice program incumbents concurrently complete a prescribed sequence of vocational education courses such as mechanical drawing, steam plant operation, heating and ventilation, and refrigeration and air conditioning.
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants for positions in this series are expected to possess the skills, knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.