General Description of Class
The ELECTRICAL AND CONTROL SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN plans, designs, installs, and maintains pneumatic, electronic, and electrical control and distribution systems in a Facilities Services Department (Physical Plant).
Distinguishing Features
This is a single classification and not currently part of a series of classes.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Project Planning, Design, and Review. Typical tasks: plans, designs, and drafts wiring diagrams and pneumatic piping plans for lighting, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration controls used in buildings; determines best method for installation of electrical and control equipment as well as proper sizing of pipes, electrical conductors, short circuit and over current protection, magnetic starters and panelboards; reviews plans and specifications submitted by contractors and consulting engineers for new construction projects and remodeling of State-owned facilities; inspects completed work for compliance with plans and specifications; provides technical advice and estimates labor and material costs for electrical and control projects, consults with university staff and building tenants to identify problems in building electrical and mechanical systems, and recommends appropriate corrective action to be taken.
- Construction. Typical tasks: installs electrical conduit, panelboards, and wiring for new machinery and other electrical equipment, using pipe bending, cutting, and threading machines, roto-hammers, drills, hacksaws, knock-out punches, and other tools of the electrical and mechanical trades; builds and installs motor starter and relay panels to control lighting systems, pumps, compressors, boilers, and refrigeration and air-handling equipment; installs pneumatic piping and controls, and computerized electronic energy management equipment, to operate heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning equipment in large buildings.
- Maintenance. Typical tasks: troubleshoots and repairs electrical, pneumatic, and computerized electronic controls in building mechanical systems; troubleshoots and repairs pneumatic, electric and electronic controls on boilers, large refrigeration compressors, and climate control equipment in computer rooms; calibrates pneumatic and electronic thermostats, transmitters, and controllers; reprograms and operates computerized building energy management systems; troubleshoots and repairs all building electrical systems including electric motors up to 400 horsepower, using electric and electronic test equipment, recording meters, circuit tracers, multi-meters and megohmeters; uses manometers, psychrometers, electronic thermometers, and pneumatic pressure gauges to troubleshoot and repair mechanical control systems.
- Miscellaneous Activities. Typical tasks: plans and oversees electrical and control projects; maintains adequate inventory of material for jobs in progress and projected building maintenance needs; updates and maintains blueprints and other building maintenance records.
Employees in this class may oversee the work of other employees and/or student employees.
RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS
Employees in this class have regular contact in person, by telephone and in writing, with university staff and building tenants to troubleshoot and correct electrical and control problems. Employees in this class have regular in-person contact with members of other trades such as Refrigeration Mechanics, Boiler Operators, Electricians, HVAC Control Technicians, Plumbers and Pipe and Steam Fitters to coordinate and prioritize work. Employees in this class must be able to communicate technical information in layman's terms to university management and building tenants. There is occasional in-person, written, and telephone contact with vendors, contractors, or consultants.
Supervision Received
Employees in this class work independently and receive general supervision. Supervision is usually received through discussions with supervisor several times a week on project progress, adherence to time and cost estimates, and any problems encountered that may require managerial direction. Because of the need to work independently, employees in this class are often required to make important decisions in the field. Employees in this class must comply with relevant safety requirements in National, State and local electrical, mechanical, fire, and building codes.
General Information
Positions are found in facilities systems departments throughout the Oregon University System. Positions require the willingness to work outdoors in inclement weather, the willingness to walk, stand, and work while bending and stooping for extended periods; the willingness to work in an environment containing dust, odor, and varying levels of noise, ability to lift and carry heavy objects such as motors, pumps, and steel pipe, and the willingness and ability to work from ladders, scaffolds, and other above-ground locations such as on roofs of multi-story buildings.
Minimum Qualifications
Two years of journey-level experience planning, designing, installing, and maintaining building pneumatic electronic, and electrical control and distribution systems and possession of one of the following Oregon Electrician's Licenses appropriate to the work to be performed:
- General Supervising Electrician License
- General Journeyman Electrician License