CAREER DESCRIPTION

OC PUBLIC WORKS
OC Public Works is a unique County department comprised of 10 service areas, each of which directly impacts the quality of life for Orange County residents and the private sector. OC Public Works provides services on a regional basis to unincorporated areas, cities, and other County agencies and departments. The primary mission of the department is to ensure quality of service today and quality of life tomorrow. In addition, our vision is to be a world class leader of innovative, professional and quality public works services.

For more information on OC Public Works click here.
For more information on the County of Orange click here.

OC FACILITIES MAINTENANCE & CUF
OC Facilities Maintenance and Central Utility Facility ensures the efficient and innovative operation of County facilities through maintenance management services, after-hours emergency support, building automation and utility management. A major component is the Central Utility Facility (CUF), a combined heat and power facility that provides cooling, heating and/or electricity to 23 buildings within the Santa Ana Civic Center area.

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Plant Operator works independently and with the facility team to follow appropriate safety procedures to operate, service, and render repairs to mechanical and electrical equipment in a CUF. Incumbents specialize in operating, servicing, and maintaining a cogeneration system in a microgrid environment. Mechanical and electrical equipment includes Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG), boilers, diesel and gas engines, natural gas turbines, cooling towers, boiler feed and condensate systems, water treatment systems, Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS), water softeners (various), and other mechanical auxiliary equipment typical in this type of environment.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will know the principles of chillers, absorbers operations, and water chemistry and also has experience in Utilities or Public Works trades such as electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or welding. Central Facility or Public Works trades experience is preferred but not required.

In addition, the ideal candidate will also possess the following core competencies:

Technical Experience & Knowledge

• Knowledge of high/low pressure HRSG and boilers, gas turbine engines, electrical generators, steam chilled water, electrical distribution and transfer equipment, transmitters, and auxiliary systems
• Experience using SCADA and PLC systems, computer-based management tracking systems, emission monitoring systems, and energy management systems
• Understanding of Heat Transfer & Combustion Principles
• Operate, maintain, diagnose problems, and repair all equipment associated with the production of electricity, steam, and chilled water, including boiler feed water equipment, electrical/electronic pneumatic and hydraulic controls systems, air quality control equipment, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
• Prepare, review, perform quality control, and file operation, maintenance, and data reports and logs, and various other plant documentation
• Functionally utilize typical office type software such as Microsoft Office, Word, and Excel

Industry | Safety Knowledge

• Safety and Environmental permits, policies, and procedures
• Understand Lock Out Tags and how to properly de-energize equipment
• Knowledge of best safety practices when working with high pressure steam and heavy mechanical equipment
• Takes a proactive approach to fostering a safe work environment
• Reports and corrects unsafe working conditions and/or equipment in an efficient and timely manner
• Responds quickly to emergency conditions with boilers and auxiliary equipment
• Follows emergency operating procedures during upset conditions

Problem Solving & Analytical Skills

• Ability to read, write, and interpret blueprint instructions and diagrams.
• Analyze and interpret CUF operating parameters
• Analyze situations accurately and take prompt controlling action during facility upset and emergency conditions
• Analyze, interpret, calculate, and adjust as needed electric power input/output, steam and chilled water output, and equipment efficiency

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience
Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.

One (1) year as an Assistant Plant Operating Engineer with the County of Orange.

Or

Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience operating and maintaining high-pressure boilers, chillers, and gas turbines.

License/Certification
Possession of a valid California Driver License (Class C or higher) may be required for some assignments.

Physical and Mental Requirements
Positions in this class typically require: body mobility to stand, sit, walk, stoop, twist, bend, climb ladders, crawl, balance, kneel, crouch, reach overhead, lift and carry up to 50 pounds, and perform other strenuous work. Incumbents must possess vision sufficient to read standard size text, distinguish colors, and at distances over 20 feet. Requires the ability to speak and hear well enough to communicate clearly and understandably in person to individuals and groups; possess manual dexterity sufficient to use hands, arms and shoulders repetitively and without limitation to range and motion to operate a keyboard, tools, and specialized equipment. Incumbents may be required to drive work vehicles.

Environmental and Working Conditions
Positions are assigned to CUF, which typically produces up to 10.4 megawatts of electricity, and where the steam pressure is greater than 260 pounds per square inch (PSI) or the hot water temperature is greater than 400° Fahrenheit. Work involves exposure to dangerous machinery, bio hazardous materials and chemicals, toxic chemicals and other contagious environments, confined spaces, and potential physical harm. Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts or vehicles, electrical currents, fumes, gases, oils, and intense noise levels. Requires the use and wear of safety equipment, including safety glasses and footwear, hard hats and face shields, protective clothing and gloves, respirator, safety harness, and hearing protection.

May be required to work day, swing, and/or grave shifts, which includes nights, weekends, and holidays. May be required to work overtime to cover relief.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services screens all application materials for minimum qualifications. After screening, applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.

Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%)
Candidates will be interviewed and rated by a qualification appraisal panel of job knowledge experts. Each candidate's rating will be based on responses to a series of questions designed to elicit the candidate's qualifications for the job. Only the most successful candidates will be placed on to the eligible list.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Eligible List
Once the assessments have been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference Policy
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19 related recommendations.

Effective April 3, 2023, it is strongly recommended that County employees working in health care settings and correctional facilities follow vaccination and booster guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please click here to see the latest guidance for more details.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

EEO INFORMATION

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays-we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.