Operating Engineer

DTE is one of the nation’s largest diversified energy companies. Our electric and gas companies have fueled our customer’s homes and Michigan’s progress for more than a century. And as Michigan’s largest source of renewable energy, we’re creating a cleaner, healthier environment to power our future. We’re also serving communities beyond Michigan, where our affiliated businesses offer renewable energy, emission control technologies, and energy services to industries in 19 states.  But we’re more than a leading energy company... and working at DTE is more than just a job. At DTE, we take great care of each other and our customers, and we use our energy to be a force for growth and prosperity in our communities.  When you join us, you’ll be part of a team that welcomes, recognizes, and celebrates differences, and values everyone’s health, safety, and wellbeing.  Are you ready to make that kind of difference? Bring your energy to DTE. Together, we can achieve great things. The hourly rate for this position is $42.32.

Job Summary

Location: Detroit, MI

Under indirect and intermittent supervision of a Facility Supervisor operates a 750 hp heat pump system and up to 500 hp gas or oil-fired low-pressure package boilers and their auxiliaries to maintain comfortable temperatures in adjacent building. Takes and tests chemical and water samples; takes instrument reading; lubricates equipment and performs operating maintenance and annual lay-up of boilers.

Key Accountabilities

• OPERATES a 750 hp heat pump system to supply both chilled and heated water to air handling units in adjacent buildings
• STARTS and STOPS refrigeration compressor up to and including 600 hp, cooling tower fans, central air handling and refrigerating purging unit brine and water circulating pumps; ADJUSTS various dampers and motor speed. SELECTS compressor combination. COORDINATES operating speeds and SWITCHES water and brine flow, etc., to gain maximum efficiency of heat pump and to maintain required temperature and lend out waters to accommodate various internal demands and external weather conditions
• OPERATES gas or oil-fired low pressure package boilers up to and Including 600 hp and auxiliaries to maintain proper water temperatures and steam pressures to heat adjacent building; ADJUSTS valves, STARTS and STOPS pumps, BLOWS DOWN boilers, CHECKS room temperature of adjacent buildings. SWITCHES boilers for gas to oil-fired end vice versa as necessary. OPERATES boilers and heating water systems according to a temperature chart. At times will DEVIATE from chart as unusual weather conditions dictate
• TAKES water sample and TESTS for hardness, alkalinity, and acidity. (Test results determine the amount of chemicals to be added to water to make suitable for system use.) Water samples are sent to research periodically for analysis
• PREPARES boilers for annual inspection by city and Insurance inspectors by: OPENING combustion chambers and REMOVING soot, scale end other products of combustion. REMOVES and REPLACES hand hole and manhole cover. OPENS blow down valves and FLUSHES sca1e from tube interiors
• CLEANS, INSPECTS, REPAIRS and/or TESTS steam, water and sediment traps, valves, filters, pumps, speed control resistors end contactors, fans, etc. OPERATES 44OV Breakers to cut specific boilers or heat pump equipment out of service
• READS and RECORDS various Indicating and recording instruments
• PERFORMS routine lubricating and minor maintenance of equipment such as replacing fuses, tightening pecking glands, cleaning chiller tubes, removing and/or plugging leaking fire sprinkler heads, replacing broken pipe fittings, performing valving, reconnecting broken lead wires, etc.  MAKES emergency report in order to restore service or prevent building damage. PROVIDES protective tagging of electrical (480V) and mechanical equipment per Facilities Management and Services' Red Tagging Procedure
• MAINTAINS a clean and orderly work area

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent
• First Class Refrigeration License
• At least 5 years’ experience in utility complex operations
• Shift work is required, and employees will be required to perform both operation and routine maintenance of the utility complex equipment

Additional Qualifications

The physical demands characterized here epitomize those that must be met by an employee to properly perform the