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Plant Utilities Assistant

SUNY Buffalo State -
Buffalo, NY

Job Details

Full-time

Benefits

Paid holidays
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance
Retirement plan

Qualifications

Mechanical valves
Performance monitoring
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
Minor electrical repair
Refrigeration system troubleshooting
Staff supervision
HVAC control system operation
Fuel record maintenance
Quality records maintenance
Management
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
Bachelor's degree in marine engineering
Mechanical belt maintenance
Air conditioning unit repair
Plumbing fixture repair
Stationary Engineer's License
Lighting systems
Utility electrical systems
Power plant experience
Mechanical Engineering
Field engineering on-site equipment repair
Water treatment chemical handling
Electrical systems facility management
Facility energy management
Ventilation system maintenance
Quality reports
Belt drive repair
Corrective maintenance
Quality assurance
Bachelor's degree in engineering

Full Job Description

Position Information

About Buffalo State

Buffalo State is one of the largest comprehensive schools in the State University of New York system. As a civically minded, urban-engaged campus community located in the city’s cultural corridor, Buffalo State prides itself as having smaller learning environments coupled with larger university opportunities. Boasting a diverse and inclusive campus, Buffalo State is committed to the intellectual, personal, and professional growth of its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The school’s mission is to deliver a broad array of high-quality and distinctive academic programs infused with diversity, creativity, and hands-on learning opportunities for hardworking students who seek a personalized and affordable education that engages their minds and advances their careers. Buffalo State is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, service, scholarship, creative activity, and cultural enrichment. With degree programs in education, the arts, science, arts and humanities, and professional studies, each year over 6,000 students choose Buffalo State. Buffalo State welcomes applicants who are committed to helping us fulfill our mission.

Posting Date

06/13/2026

Department

Facilities Office

Line Number

TBD

Budget Title

Plant Utilities Assistant NY HELPS

Rank/Grade

SG-9

FTE

Full-Time

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Negotiating Unit

CSEA

Appointment Type

Contingent Permanent

Jurisdictional Class

n/a

Shift Hours

Wednesday – Sunday 3:00pm-11:00pm
Saturday – Wednesday 11:00pm-7:00am
(overtime, work on holidays, and non-scheduled days may be required, hours and shifts vary based on operational needs)

Department Operating Needs

This position has the designation of Essential-Critical Service, therefore the successful applicant is designated as an essential service employee. For a definition of essential service employees, please review the university’s Emergency Closings Policy.

The State University of New York offers a variety of fringe benefits including health insurance, free dental and vision, retirement plans, paid time off and holidays, and more. Click here for a summary of benefits for this position.

There are two vacancies available.

Brief Job Description

As a Plant Utilities Assistant, you would assist in the operation, maintenance, and repair of mechanical and electrical equipment providing heat, hot water, ventilation, air conditioning, and electrical distribution in a safe and efficient manner.

Under the general direction of a Plant Utilities Engineer 1 or higher level plant utilities position, Plant Utilities Assistants assist in the operation, maintenance and repair of mechanical and electrical equipment providing heat, hot water, ventilation, air-conditioning and electrical distribution.

Plant Utilities Assistants perform semiskilled tasks in a safe and efficient manner in operating stationary steam or high temperature hot water boilers rated at 15 pounds per square inch or more; maintain and repair boilers, pumps, other power plant auxiliary equipment, and electrical and mechanical stationary equipment; and may supervise Plant Utilities Helpers in performing routine manual labor. Experienced incumbents may be assigned a limited number of activities requiring the full performance level skills of a Plant Utilities Engineer 1.

Duties may include but are not limited to, monitors equipment consoles. Reads, analyzes and follows up on all console readings, charts, and trouble calls. Adjusts equipment controls to correct malfunction when indicated by observation or in response to a signal. Reads and records gas, steam, and water meter readings. Fills out incident and Quality Assurance Reports. Advises supervisor when repairs are required. Receives and distributes fuel supplies required for all program locations.

Performs preventive maintenance on heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems. As instructed, and under the guidance and supervision of qualified personnel, uses specific chemicals to treat water used in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. Cleans strainers and condenser coils. Maintains steam traps. Changes filters. Determines if refrigeration system is low on refrigerant; if so, identifies type and amount of refrigerant needed, and prepares system for charge. Regenerates water softeners. Installs, removes, washes and stores window air conditioners.

Performs minor repairs such as replacing worn gaskets, changing belts and tightening joints, and assisting the Plant Utilities Engineers 1 in the maintenance and overhaul of boilers and in the repair of stationary equipment.

Performs supervised plumbing, electrical and refrigeration work. Determines if water regulator valves need rebuilding or repair. Threads, solders or glues and installs pipe, using proper types of pipe and fittings. Re-packs pumps and valves. Assists in the repair, maintenance and operation of alarm and signal systems. Assists in the operation of energy management systems related to the control of clocks, lighting, filtering systems, HVAC and boiler energy management systems, etc. Cleans mechanical rooms. As assigned, during night shifts, weekends or on holidays, Plant Utilities Assistants respond to calls concerning mechanical, electrical or plumbing breakdowns outside of the plant, troubleshoot the problem, and if possible make necessary repairs, or advise the appropriate authority regarding the problem.

Provides instructions to Plant Utilities Helpers and Maintenance Helpers on routine jobs and equipment inspections.

Civil Service Classification Standards are available at https://www.cs.ny.gov/tsplan/tsp.html

Physical Demands:
Bending, twisting, ability to lift 50 pounds. Ability to work off ladders, scaffolding, in confined spaces and/or where air monitoring may be required. Work in loud/noisy dusty/dirty environments. Work with or around high-pressure steam, high-voltage electrical systems and rotating equipment.

Required Qualifications

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).

For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required, but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At this time, agencies may recruit and hire employees by making temporary appointments.

At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

NON-COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (NY HELPS):

On or before the date of filing your application, you must have one of the qualifications listed below:

Either 1. An associate’s degree in HVAC;

Or 2. Must have been an enlisted machinery technician (MK) with the U.S. Coast Guard OR possession of a certificate as a Marine Engineer issued by the U.S. Coast Guard;

Or 3. Must have been an enlisted power generation equipment repairer with the U.S. Army;

Or 4. Must have been an enlisted gas turbine systems technician, submarine nuclear propulsion plant operator reactor control, utilities man, machinist mate, or engineman with the U.S. Navy;

Or 5. Must have a Merchant Mariner’s Document (MMD) and have been a qualified member of the engine department (QMED) as an oiler, fireman/water tender, refrigerating engineer or engineman with the U.S. Merchant Marine;

Or 6. Completion of a New York State Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program for stationary engineers, plant maintenance (plumber/steamfitter), HVAC Mechanic or plant maintenance (refrigeration/AC). ();

Or 7. Possession of a High-Pressure Boiler Operating Engineer License or Stationary Engineer License;

Or 8. A bachelor’s degree in Facilities Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Marine Engineering;

Or 9. Graduate of heating, HVAC, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration apprenticeship program from the U.S. Air Force;

Or 10. One year of full-time hands on experience in the maintenance and operation of commercial, industrial, institutional facility, computer applications of digital energy platforms and building analytics and/or performing diagnosis, repair of HVAC systems or boilers or auxiliary equipment;

Or 11. One year of full-time hands on experience in a residential setting performing diagnosis, operation, maintenance repair of HVAC systems or boilers or auxiliary equipment;

Or 12. Completion of an HVAC certificate or diploma from a BOCES program (440 hours) OR completion of an approved certificate in HVAC, electrical, refrigeration, boiler operations and maintenance, or plumbing from an accredited technical school or technology college (See Note #2)

Note #1: For information regarding qualifying for NYS DOL recognized apprenticeship programs, please visit https://dol.ny.gov/apprentices.

Note #2: Certification programs must be accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) or recognized by the New York State Education Department Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (BPSS). Additional information on ACCSC can be found at https://www.accsc.org and BPSS can be found at https://www.acces.nysed.gov/bpss.

COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (NON-NY HELPS):

Candidates must meet one of the following three criteria:
Either 1. Candidates must have a reachable score on the Plant Utilities Assistant Exam List (See Instructions to Applicant)

OR 2. Be a current NYS employee and have a current permanent appointment with 1 year of service as a Plant Utilities Assistant, or in a title eligible to transfer to Plant Utilities Assistant

OR 3. Be a former NYS employee eligible for reinstatement to the title of Plant Utilities Assistant

Note: Visa Sponsorship is not available.

Preferred Qualifications

Application Deadline Date

06/25/2026

Open Until Filled

Special Instructions to Applicant

To be appointed competitively, applicants must complete the NYS Department of Civil Service Exam Application for a Plant Utilities Assistant. Please download the Civil Service Exam Application, complete it by hand, and upload the completed application. Incomplete applications cannot be considered.

Contact Person

Contact Email

Contact Fax

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting

https://jobs.buffalostate.edu/postings/8337

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Buffalo State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution that subscribes to all federal, state, and SUNY legal requirements and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or marital or veteran status (Nondiscrimination Notice). Any violation of this policy should be reported to the Equity and Diversity Office, Cleveland Hall 415, (716) 878-6210. Buffalo State is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Warnes at [email protected] or call (716) 878-4822.

Background Investigation Statement

All applicants are subject to a pre-employment background investigation. Our Pre-Employment Background Screening Policy is available at http://hr.buffalostate.edu/pre-employment-background-screening.

Clery Statement

Applicants interested in positions may access the Annual Security Report (ASR) for SUNY Buffalo State at http://police.buffalostate.edu. The ASR contains information on campus security policies and certain campus crime statistics. Crime statistics are reported in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. Applicants may request a hard copy of the ASR by contacting the SUNY Buffalo State University Police Department at (716) 878-6333.

New York State Executive Order 161

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at [email protected].

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