HVAC & Boiler Technician - Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium at Parks Tacoma – Tacoma, Washington

Work where you play!
Join our team at Parks Tacoma to put your skills to use serving your community and making Tacoma a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming place to live.

Who We Are
Parks Tacoma is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Parks Tacoma's mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70+ parks, 80+ miles of trails, 1,000+ acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more. Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.

Why You’ll Love it Here
Come work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Parks Tacoma, and you’ll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Parks Tacoma are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team. You’ll receive a competitive wage, along with an attractive benefits package, including medical, dental, retirement, vacation, holidays, and much more. On top of that, you’ll wake each day knowing that you’re helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.

Position Information
Under direction of the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium operations manager and maintenance lead, perform mechanical maintenance in the modification of design, installation, maintenance, diagnosis, repair and alteration of zoo and aquarium heating, ventilation, air conditioning, steam and hot water boilers, refrigeration systems, control devices and related equipment to assure maximum operation efficiency.

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
• Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
• Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
• Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
• Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.

Perform mechanical maintenance in the modification of design, installation, maintenance, diagnosis, repair and alteration of zoo and aquarium heating, ventilation, air conditioning, steam and hot water boilers, refrigeration systems, control devices and related equipment to assure maximum operation efficiency; assure appropriate seasonal maintenance requirements are maintained.

Control HVAC systems at building sites; operate automated building controls and energy management systems; program, troubleshoot and repair direct digital controls, air condensers, evaporators, reverting valves, compressors, high and low pressure controls, freon, thermostatic expansion and defrost controls; purge systems, reclaim and filter excess freon as necessary.

Draw sketches and prepare specifications; interpret schematics, wiring diagrams and other technical materials; estimate time, cost of labor and materials for work projects; obtain competitive prices for equipment and supplies according to established procedures; prepare and maintain related records and reports; drive a vehicle to pick up supplies and equipment.

Fabricate and modify existing HVAC and boiler systems, equipment and electrical controls; update schematics and drawing to assure current record keeping.

Inspect, install, repair and replace defective parts in units and equipment and their controls, including thermostats, automatic and log switches, damper motors, relays, chilled water loops and coils.

Operate a variety of specialized hand and power tools and testing equipment utilized in the trade and a motor vehicle.

Assure compliance with appropriate safety practices and procedures and with applicable federal, State and local codes, regulations and requirements; contact City inspectors for inspections and permit issuance according to established procedures.

Prepare and maintain a variety of records and reports related to the operation, work orders, upgrade and performance of HVAC and boiler systems according to established facility guidelines.

Diagnose and change computerized control boards as required; test for proper operation of HVAC and boiler system equipment; perform calculations to determine proper calibration and setting of pneumatic controllers, dials, temperature control valves and piping; inspect, troubleshoot and replace diagnosed malfunctions in sensor units.

Communicate with zoological departments and personnel concerning maintenance and repair needs.

Perform maintenance, repair and testing to gas systems, including gas controls and pressure reduction valves, flex tubing and others as necessary.

Perform related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
HVAC-R technical education and 3 years of experience in the trade or equivalent required. Front end controls education or comparable work experience required.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• EPA 608 certification required Osha 10 training preferred
• Valid Washington driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Obtain a valid First Aid and CPR Card within the probationary period.

This position is a represented position with the International Union of Operating Engineers.

ENVIRONMENT:
Indoor and outdoor environment. Driving to conduct work.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES:
Climbing ladders and working at heights. Walking and standing for extended periods of time. Heavy lifting and carrying of items weighing up to 50 pounds. Hearing and speaking to exchange information. Pushing and pulling equipment. Kneeling and crouching to conduct work on heat pumps and boilers. Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate specialized tools and equipment.

HAZARDS:
Working in a cramped or restrictive work chamber. Exposure to electrical power supply and high voltage. Exposure to chemical, chlorine and gas fumes.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
Standard practices of the HVAC and refrigeration trade.
Theory of HVAC and boiler systems.
Materials, methods and tools used in the operation and repair of HVAC and refrigeration systems.
Applicable building codes, ordinances and regulations of State and local authorities pertaining to HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing and heating systems.
Motor operation and repair.
Manual and electrical tools and equipment applicable to the HVAC and refrigeration trade.
Welding and soldering techniques.
Health and safety regulations.
Basic record-keeping techniques.
Proper methods of storing equipment, materials and supplies.

ABILITY TO:
Operate specialized machinery, equipment and tools utilized in the repair, installation and maintenance of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
Read and work from blueprints, shop drawings and sketches.
Estimate materials and supply needs.
Order parts and supplies according to established guidelines.
Prioritize and schedule work.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Understand and follow oral and written directions.
Work cooperatively with others.
Work independently with little direction.
Meet schedules and time lines.
Maintain routine records.
Observe legal and defensive driving practices.
Perform complex or varied tasks.

PARKS TACOMA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability or any other merit factor. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

Tacoma Parks employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Tacoma Parks is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource at hr@tacomaparks.com.

Employment is subject to a national background check.