Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for Operating Engineer
An Operating Engineer is a professional who operates and maintains large industrial equipment, such as boilers, refrigeration systems, generators, and other mechanical systems used in commercial and industrial facilities. They ensure that electrical and mechanical systems run smoothly and efficiently and perform regular maintenance and repairs. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Operating Engineers.
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Main Responsibilities of Operating Engineer
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Operating Engineer:
Adhere to
Adhere, in strict accordance, to all applicable safety policies, procedures, and practices.
Adhere to all city, state, and federal regulatory statues.
Analyze
Analyze, plan, and perform preventive maintenance of HVAC systems.
Assist in
Assist in ordering necessary materials and supplies to complete all tasks.
Assist in the development of specifications for work generally outsourced to third party vendors.
Assist in the development of the property(s) operations budget.
Assist in the preparation of the Standards Operating procedures.
Assist in training new engineers.
Assist Property Management in the review and approval of construction documents.
Assist with analyzing and resolving work problems and achieving work goals.
Assure
Assure the CFCR notification and CFIR processes are administered to DCM standards.
Calculate
Calculate surfaces, volumes, weights and measures.
Carry out
Carry out preventative maintenance tasks as prescribed on equipment / systems.
Complete
Complete annual safety & technical training programs as required.
Complete Critical Area Program training as required.
Complete demand work orders with in priority code time frames.
Complete Individual Performance Measurement Plan (IPMP) within designated timelines.
Complete maintenance and repair records as required.
Complete tours and watches according to predetermined schedules and reports status.
Complete work order assignments within designated timelines.
Comply with
Comply with all company policies and procedures and performs other duties as assigned.
Comply with departmental policy for the safe storage, usage, and disposal of hazardous materials.
Compute
Compute mathematical equations on a chiller performance test.
Conduct
Conduct all activities in a businesslike, competent, and professional manner.
Conduct routine and on-going assessments of the building systems operations.
Coordinate
Coordinate maintenance efforts with outside contractors, tenant finish personnel and engineers.
Determine
Determine frequency of repair and / or P.M. for HVAC systems.
Develop
Develop alternative solutions.
Develop and maintain effective building-specific maintenance procedures.
Develop effective working relationship with both external / internal customers.
Direct
Direct the performance of contracted maintenance work.
Document
Document and report activities to supervisor.
Document and respond to all activities that occur during shift of responsibility.
Ensure
Ensure all work is performed timely and correctly and documented in the CMMS.
Ensure building standards are applied and adhered too accordingly.
Ensure GMP's and safe food handling practices are being followed.
Ensure that work is performed efficiently with a minimum amount of disruption and inconvenience.
Ensure the continuous operation of the facility.
Enter
Enter and complete work requests and procedural tasks in the CMMS.
Establish
Establish standard operating procedures for equipment.
Evaluate
Evaluate, train, teach and coach a work force of Maintenance Technicians as requested by supervisor.
Evaluate vendors and suppliers on a regular basis with regard to quality and safety.
Execute
Execute determinations and / or reports on events.
Follow
Follow and enforce safety rules.
Formulate
Formulate and implement the preventative maintenance program for the building.
Give
Give detail exchange of information to relieving operator.
Help
Help implement the OSH action plan.
Identify
Identify and resolve mechanical problems.
Identify and resolve problems in a timely manner.
Identify and assess safety hazards and risks.
Implement
Implement the preventative maintenance program for the building.
Install
Install and repair piping, valves, filters, hot water systems and associated controls.
Install, repair, and maintain mechanical / electrical operating equipment and machinery.
Interact with
Interact with external and internal customers with a positive demeanor.
Interpret
Interpret engineering drawings and equipment manuals.
Lead
Lead or directly operate and monitor critical and non-critical system equipment and components.
Log
Log specified information.
Maintain
Maintain a clean and safe workspace.
Maintain a high level of work order and asset maintenance documentation.
Maintain all engineering, electrical, mechanical spaces in a clean and neat manner always.
Maintain all HVACR and Chiller equipment with a professional and safe approach.
Maintain and inspect portable fire extinguishers.
Maintain and repair locks, locking mechanisms, closers, doors, controllers.
Maintain boiler water treatment and RO / softener systems.
Maintain compliance to Federal, State, County and City Ordinances Codes and Laws where applicable.
Maintain compliance to State, County, or City Ordinances, Codes, or Laws.
Maintain good housekeeping and safety of work areas.
Maintain lighting system bulbs and ballasts.
Maintain the integrity of all mechanical spaces.
Maintain time and production records and customer service requests.
Maintain tools and orders supplies.
Maintain up-to-date files of building plans, equipment specifications, and all maintenance logs.
Make
Make adjustments and changes on HVAC equipment and building environmental controls.
Make adjustments and changes to HVAC and related equipment to maintain established comfort zones.
Make necessary repairs or adjustments to maintain operation of equipment.
Manage
Manage relationship with client.
Manage the activities of engineering staff assigned to support the assigned facilities.
Manage the Engineering Compliance Program.
Monitor
Monitor operational expense performance throughout the year.
Monitor operation, repair, and maintain refrigeration, water cooling and air conditioning equipment.
Monitor operation and maintain refrigeration, water cooling and air conditioning equipment.
Monitor own work to ensure quality.
Monitor the quality and pricing of maintenance work performed by outside contractors.
Monitor the quality of maintenance work performed by outside contractors.
Monitor water chemistry in boilers, towers, closed loop systems and make adjustments as required.
Negotiate
Negotiate with vendors for fair prices.
Observe
Observe and report problems or unusual conditions in facilities.
Observe safety and security procedures.
Operate
Operate and monitor critical and non-critical system equipment and facility components.
Operate systems in a safe and efficient manner in accordance with government.
Operate the Power Plant at maximum efficiency at all times, resulting in minimum energy consumption.
Operate the facility in accordance with all applicable government and regulatory requirements.
Order
Order parts and materials required for repairs.
Participate in
Participate in company's Safe program.
Participate in emergency response procedures, technical and safety training.
Participate in ongoing technical, safety, and operational process training programs.
Participate in outage planning and scheduling.
Participate in safety training program.
Perform
Perform additional duties as requested.
Perform after hours support functions.
Perform all maintenance in a professional and safe manner.
Perform all maintenance in a safe manner.
Perform and direct various Housekeeping activities.
Perform and / or direct the performance of all service requests.
Perform assigned facility inspections and due diligence efforts.
Perform corrective action or minor repairs, as required.
Perform daily building inspections.
Perform DCS trending and analysis.
Perform final inspections, punch list exceptions, and expedite corrective action.
Perform general maintenance and operation of central plant, package units and HVAC equipment.
Perform housekeeping activities as assigned.
Perform maintenance in accordance with company Preventative Maintenance Program.
Perform minor building maintenance to enhance a safe work environment.
Perform minor maintenance as assigned.
Perform periodic analysis of boiler and cooling water.
Perform periodic checks of tool and instrument inventory.
Perform plumbing and HVAC requirements of the building(s).
Perform preventative maintenance program duties including record keeping.
Perform preventative maintenance tasks in a timely manner.
Perform repairs to plumbing fixtures (water closets, urinals, faucets, water heaters, etc.).
Perform tests, rounds and analyzes data to ensure the proper functioning of all assigned equipment.
Plan
Plan schedule of work in accordance with established priorities.
Prepare
Prepare and submit purchase order requests.
Prepare contract documents reflecting scope of work.
Prepare, prime and paint building interior and exterior surfaces.
Prepare safety and environmental supporting documentation.
Produce
Produce computerized spreadsheets.
Provide
Provide best-in-class customer services to all Tenants and Agencies.
Provide day-to-day maintenance support for equipment reliability issues.
Provide hands-on support to troubleshoot, identify, and resolve equipment issues.
Provide maintenance, preventative maintenance, and troubleshooting on multiple office buildings.
Provide occasional guidance to the primary function of others, including training.
Provide on-call response as required.
Provide training and mentoring to junior operating engineers.
Provide training and supervision.
Pull
Pull wiring to machinery, motors, operating parts, etc.
Read
Read / interpret blueprints and schematics.
Recognize
Recognize danger and safety hazards and propose methods to eliminate them.
Recommend
Recommend and estimate facility repairs and improvements for inclusion in the annual budget.
Record
Record readings and make adjustments where necessary to ensure proper operation of support equipment.
Remain
Remain open to others ideas and tries new things.
Repair
Repair doors, ceilings, hand railings, and floors.
Replace
Replace fire extinguishers when needed.
Report
Report any foreign material findings to your supervisor.
Report safety issues to supervisor.
Report to and collaborate with management of the facility related issues.
Respond to
Respond effectively to all emergencies.
Respond immediately to emergency situations and customer service requests as assigned.
Respond quickly to emergency situations, summoning additional assistance as needed.
Respond to all facility emergencies.
Respond to and perform special requests as designated from the building management.
Respond to plant problems in a safe and efficient manner.
Return
Return equipment to normal service.
Review
Review monthly service request summaries to pinpoint and correct reoccurring operational issues.
Schedule
Schedule, oversee and verify the quality and completion of vendor assigned maintenance and repairs.
Schedule preventative maintenance with minimum disruption of building services.
Set
Set and maintain a professional work environment with staff.
Support
Support and follows operational policies and standards.
Support Calibration Program.
Support growth opportunities and potential.
Support implementation of the preventative maintenance program for their assigned shift.
Support moves and other event setups as throughout the campus as assigned.
Support Senior Facility Manager, Engineering Operations Manager, and Project Managers as required.
Support the company's goals and objectives.
Support the Engineering Services staff to create a high performing team.
Support vendors on preventive and repair activities that cannot be performed in house.
Test
Test operations and capabilities of the central heating plant.
Track
Track electrical / mechanical loads for all critical systems.
Treat
Treat others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
Troubleshoot
Troubleshoot problems with building and facilities equipment by utilizing all means necessary.
Understand
Understand and ensure compliance with company policies and procedures.
Use
Use equipment and materials properly.
Utilize
Utilize CMMS systems such as 360 Facility for all work performed.
Utilize PEERs and Sharepoint.
Utilize several trade skills such as plumbing, electrical, fire alarm, roofing, heating and cooling.
Utilize the CMMS to generate and document work per written procedures.
Verify
Verify field conditions and perform any necessary repairs or adjustments.
Verify the accuracy of deliveries for count, pricing and description.
Wear
Wear appropriate safety equipment and follow established safety practices and procedures.
Work
Work from blueprints, diagrams, or specifications.
Work from heights and use fall protection.
Work in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Work well in group problem solving situations, able to reason through defects.
Work without direct supervision on daily assigned work.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Operating Engineer:
Maintenance
Pumps
Operation
Mechanical Systems
Disposal of Hazardous Materials
MS Outlook
Stoop
Stand
Climb
Boilers
Computer Applications
Plumbing Systems
Maintain a Valid Driver's License
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Operating Engineer:
Written and oral communication skills
Interpersonal skills
Speak clearly
Self-motivated
Work independently with little direction
Team player
Communicate well in both oral and written reports
Problem-solving attitude
Analytical ability
Positive team attitude
Decision-making
Handle multiple projects and daily activities
