Heating and Plumbing Mechanic Aide in NORFOLK, Virginia at Norfolk Redevelopment And Housing Authority

We Are Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority

NRHA’s Vision and Mission

We are proud to be the largest housing and redevelopment authority in Virginia and a leader in real estate development and property management across the country. Since 1940, we’ve been working to revitalize and improve neighborhoods in Norfolk.

As an award-winning public housing authority designated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the NRHA VISION is to provide quality housing choices in neighborhoods where people want to live. Our MISSION is to provide quality housing opportunities that create sustainable, mixed-income communities.

Today, our dedicated team continues focusing on our vision and mission by providing exceptional service to residents, vendors, development partners, and community stakeholders through programs that support the development and sustainability of affordable housing and offering programs that support the goal of self-sufficiency for all residents of Norfolk, Virginia.

Position Summary

Performs semi-skilled work in the operation, maintenance, and repair of industrial boiler plants and associated equipment to heating, hot and cold water, and plumbing services to public housing communities and recreational centers. Assists in the maintenance, repair, and inspection of non-boiler heating systems of public housing communities and authority-managed properties. Monitors industrial and commercial boiler plant systems. May respond and acts on routine boiler plant trouble calls. Repairs underground piping. Assists in the operation, maintenance, and repair of heating cogenerator systems. Participates on special assigned projects. Maintains current knowledge of heating system and boiler maintenance methods and techniques.

Essential Functions

Assists in the operation, maintenance, and repair of industrial boiler plants and associated equipment to provide heating, hot and cold water, and plumbing services to public housing communities and recreational centers. Operates, maintains, and repairs preheat, heat exchanger, fuel oil, and piping systems; operates, repairs and maintains pumps, burners, electrical controls, mechanical controls, and pneumatic controls; operates and maintains and safety devices; repairs and replaces boiler tubes, temperature/pressure sensors, blowers, motors, and solenoids; operates, maintains, and repairs air compressors and associated systems; and repairs and replaces couplings, seal/bearing assemblies in heat pumps.

Assists in the maintenance, repair, and inspection of non-boiler heating systems of public housing communities and authority-managed properties: examines, maintains, and repairs heat pumps (including horizontal and vertical water source heat pumps), commercial oil furnaces, gas furnaces, and gas tanks; troubleshoots heating system problems; and inspects finished work.

Monitors industrial and commercial boiler plant systems: checks and records pressures, temperatures, and water levels; responds to system alarms and resets boilers, pumps, and breakers; examines plant systems and identifies problems; troubleshoots plant system problems; and monitors operation of air compressors and troubleshoots system problems.

Responds and acts on routine boiler plant trouble calls: responds, investigates, evaluates, and implements corrective procedures to repair heating/plumbing piping and radiators.

Repairs underground piping: trenches around underground piping using blueprints and metal detector to locate pipe; pumps out water from pipe; breaks concrete; measures, cuts, and threads piping; brazes and welds piping; insulates piping; and restores trenched area to original condition.

Assists in the operation, maintenance, and repair of heating cogenerator systems.

Participates on special assigned projects, including but not limited to water conservation projects: replaces and installs new water saving fixtures and devices in housing units; fabricates and installs boilers systems support; maintenance, repairs, or installs equipment in scattered housing sites; works with various contractors to complete job.

Maintains current knowledge of heating system and boiler maintenance methods and techniques.

Performs other related work as required.

Performance Standards

• Operates and maintains systems with minimal downtime.
• Diagnoses and fixes heating issues accurately and promptly.
• Tracks system performance; responds to alarms quickly.
• Resolves service calls within 1 business day.
• Completes underground pipe repairs safely and restores area properly.
• Completes assigned project tasks on time and to standard.
• Maintains all required licenses and applies current techniques.
• Uses and maintains tools safely and effectively.
• Communicates clearly; works well with team and residents.

Minimum Qualifications

High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) required. One to two years of operation and maintenance in heat generation systems and related and equipment experience.

Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience necessary to obtain the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certification in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Heating, or Plumbing is required.

Gas Certification and Boilermaker title may be required for assignments.

Personal heating and plumbing tools are required.

Special Requirements

• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Subject to a background check, pre-employment health check, and reference verification prior to hire.
• Must maintain confidentiality and adhere to NRHA’s code of conduct and ethics policies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• General knowledge of installing, repairing, and maintaining heating boilers and domestic heating units and systems; includes knowledge of heating, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electrical principles, concepts, methods, and techniques related to heating system maintenance.
• Operational knowledge of maintenance of small electric motors, pumps, and valves including replacing mechanical seals, bearings, packing valves and pumps, and repairing underground utility piping such as sewers, gas lines, water lines and storm sewers.
• General knowledge of air compressors and its refrigeration components.
• General knowledge of HUD regulations related to public housing construction and maintenance.
• Considerable knowledge of safety standards and procedures associated with repair and maintenance.
• Ability to use technical manuals, manufacturer’s manuals, and special instructions to determine repair procedures.
• General knowledge of NRHA rules and regulations related to public housing construction.
• Considerable knowledge and skill in the use of standard heating and plumbing tools, including both hand and power tools; includes knowledge and skill in the operation of welding equipment; includes knowledge and skill in the use of precision measuring devices.
• Skill and ability to read blueprints, schematics, and drawings related to plumbing.
• Oral and written communications skills in order to give and receive complex information or instructions.
• Requires human relations skill to interact with supervisor, coworkers, and public housing residents to give and receive complex information or instructions, and to work with others in a team environment.
• Ability to exercise judgment in the performance of technical work duties.
• Ability to exercise initiative in the performance of technical work duties.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, smell, see, or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 60 pounds. Job requires depth, color, and texture perception.

NRHA will consider equivalent substitutes for education and/or experience, provided that the candidate can demonstrate that he/she has obtained the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the job.

NRHA offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. The compensation offer will be determined by the candidate's work history and skill set. Benefits include VRS retirement, medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; long-and short-term disability insurance; tuition reimbursement options; public service loan forgiveness, and much more.

Drug Free Workplace: NRHA maintains a drug free workplace.

VRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.

The Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law. We value diversity and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.