Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Watch Engineer

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston$87K — $92K *
Energy & Utilities
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 2nd Class Fireman's License required with 5 years of relevant experience
  • Proficient in Windows computing, BMS systems, and CMMS software
  • Strong oral and written communication skills in English
  • Ability to work professionally under stress and with diverse individuals
  • Physically capable of meeting job demands including lifting and climbing
  • Valid US Driver's license required
  • Willingness to work in various conditions, including inclement weather

Responsibilities

  • Monitor and operate chillers, boilers, cooling towers, and related mechanical systems
  • Record and log temperatures, humidity, and utility metering data
  • Perform repairs and maintenance on hydronic pumps and mechanical equipment
  • Conduct scheduled preventive maintenance tasks
  • Respond to emergency situations and assist in damage mitigation
  • Coordinate with other departments to resolve climate and plumbing issues during emergencies
  • Maintain equipment records and ensure cleanliness and safety of work areas

Benefits

  • Supportive work environment with a focus on safety training
  • Opportunity for skill development in emergency response scenarios
  • Engagement with a team dedicated to maintaining museum facilities
  • Access to unique work experiences within a cultural institution
  • Participation in a union with collective bargaining advantages
Full Job Description
Position Overview:

Report to the Engineering and Maintenance Supervisor, The Watch Engineer is responsible for the monitor, operation, and maintenance of the building's mechanical systems, including low-pressure boiler plants, chiller water plants, cooling towers, air handlers, and all related equipment. This role ensures the continuous monitoring and adjustment of the building maintenance system to maintain the desired climate conditions across all areas of the museum.

Essential Functions:

Monitor and operate the chillers, hot water boilers, steam boilers, and cooling towers. Monitor and operate feed water pumps, chilled and hot water pumps, fans, air compressors and other auxiliary equipment. Operate the BMS to regulate temperature, relative humidity, and various equipment alarms.

Record temperatures and relative humidity in galleries, fuel consumption, maintain the boiler and chiller logs. Read and record utility (gas, water, electric and oil) meters.

Rebuild hydronic pumps and other mechanical equipment as necessary. Use machine tools, hand tools, and other equipment to perform repairs and maintenance tasks. Use toilet augers and plungers for routine maintenance of plumbing systems. Assist with plumbing, mechanical, and controls work as directed by the Engineering and Maintenance Supervisor.

Perform scheduled preventive maintenance as directed. Work from charts, specifications, manuals, written and verbal instruction. Use such tools and equipment such as staging, ladders, lifts, drill press, hand tools, hand power tools, and computers.

Respond promptly to emergency situations, including fire alarms, floods, leaks, temperature and humidity alarms, and other critical events. Assist in controlling emergency situations and mitigating any potential damage.

Respond to various calls from the Command Center, including issues related to doors, elevators, climate systems, plumbing backups, etc.

Communicate effectively with other departments during emergencies to coordinate and resolve issues.

Report all problems, deficiencies and shut downs to the Engineering and Maintenance Supervisor.

Secondary Functions:

Assist with various duties on all shifts as necessary. This includes but should not be limited to the following: replace lamps in fixtures; retrieve equipment for special events (extension cords, lighting, etc.). Respond to plumbing, electrical and safety issues. Respond to calls from SMFA at Tufts and the MFA Parking Garage as required.

Maintain necessary records. Move materials as necessary in performance of duties. Detect and report improper operation, faulty equipment, defective materials and unusual conditions to Supervisor. Maintain both East and West plants, Watch Office and equipment in clean, safe and orderly condition. Follow established MFA policies and regulations. Attend all required safety training sessions.

Requirements and Characteristics:
  • 2nd Class Fireman's License Required. Must have 5 years' experience
  • Must have working knowledge of computers in a Windows environment, BMS systems, Schneider and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), Facility Dude
  • Must have effective oral and written communications skills with the ability to read, write and comprehend the English language
  • Must be able to work professionally and tactfully with fellow employees, visitors and volunteers; deal with challenging people and / or stressful scenarios
  • Must be physically able to meet all job requirements; i.e.; standing long periods, climbing ladders and ability to lift and install equipment as needed
  • Valid US Driver's license
  • Required to work indoors and outdoors in potentially cramped spaces, during inclement weather year round
  • Good interpersonal / communication skills are required
  • Essential role that requires reporting to work during adverse weather conditions.
  • Required shift overtime coverage as directed
  • Perform other related duties as required or directed by the Supervisor


The Museum reserves the right to change job descriptions. While this job description is intended to include essential duties, it is conceivable that job duties my change before the job description is officially revised.

Hourly Rate and Shift Information

Full-Time hourly, 40 hours per week

Sat/Sun; 2pm-10pm (2nd shift)

Monday-Wednesday; 10pm-6am (3rd shift)

$42.05 - $44.25, commensurate with experience and excluding shift differential.

This position is a member of the Area Trades Council union

About Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is a museum that houses a collection of more than 70,000 works of art from around the world, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. The museum was founded in 1900 and is located in Houston, Texas. The museum's collection includes works by artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Jackson Pollock. The museum also hosts a variety of exhibitions, educational programs, and events throughout the year.
Learn more about Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Size
500 employees
Industry
Founded
1913

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