REFRIGERATION ENGINEER LOW PRESSURE LICENSE

Code: 07039 Local Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, operates, regulates and maintains stationary engines and mechanical equipment providing power for refrigeration and air conditioning systems; tends and maintains low pressure boilers; does other related work.

Examples of work

• Observes meters, gauges, thermometers or panel boards to adjust automatic controls, valves, and equipment that regulate volumes, pressures, temperatures, speeds and water levels.
• Stops and starts pumps to maintain proper ice and air temperatures.
• Removes scale from condensers using hammers, chisels, compressed air or other tools.
• Inspects refrigerant lines to detect leaks or breaks.
• Removes water samples and applies chemicals to determine water hardness or other characteristics.
• Adds chemicals or calcium to soften water; lower temperature to specified degree, or to prevent growth of bacteria.
• Measures density of brine using hydrometer to determine freezing point of solution.
• Records temperature, pressure and other readings.
• Turns valves on compressors, pumps, compressors and other equipment.
• Prepares system for operation or repair.
• Connects hose to compressor to replace refrigerant.
• Inspects condensers for scale deposits; performs other maintenance inspections according to established regulations.
• Maintains equipment, oils and greases moving parts, packs valves and pumps, and cleans strainers.
• Inspects refrigeration machinery including cooler and freezing units; uses testing techniques and tools to locate worn or broken parts.
• Reads thermometers and adjusts valves or controls on pipelines regulating flow of refrigerant to maintain required temperatures.
• Identifies malfunctions using audible, and visual inspections to detect noisy valves, loose connections, belts and gaskets, and faulty insulation.
• Uses meters and lamps, test thermostats.
• Adjusts controls to isolate and clear broken lines for repair of shuts down equipment.
• Re-packs pumps or compressors, cleans condensers and replaces worn or defective parts.
• May operate and maintain equipment used to create a skating surface at an ice rink.
• May operate and maintain ice-resurfacing equipment; instructs staff involved in this process.
• Tends low-pressure boilers used to produce hot water and heat.
• Cleans boiler, checks heat control valves and control panels.
• Turns valves and controls to regulate the flow of fuel.
• Reads gauges and moves controls to maintain specified steam pressure, temperature and water level in boiler.
• Prepares reports.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.

License

Applicants must possess a Boiler Operator, Black Seal (low-pressure) license issued by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Bureau of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Compliance.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the principles of refrigeration and air conditioning.
• Knowledge of the safety precautions to be followed in the operation and maintenance of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.
• Knowledge of the techniques used to tend and maintain low-pressure boilers.
• Knowledge of the materials and methods used to maintain refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.
• Ability to read, interpret and apply information from diagrams and specifications in the maintenance and operation of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.
• Ability to tend and maintain low-pressure boilers.
• Ability to follow established safety precautions in the maintenance and repair of equipment.
• Ability to inspect and identify malfunctions in equipment, diagnoses problems, and perform the necessary repairs.
• Ability to use measuring instruments and testing equipment.
• Ability to record readings, prepare reports and maintain records.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Boiler Operator licenses of a higher level (high-pressure, In-Charge, Special) will be accepted in lieu of the above license.

Applicants are required to possess a license as a Refrigeration Engineer of the appropriate level, issued by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Bureau of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Compliance, when the position involves working with a refrigeration system having over 24 tons of refrigeration capacity and using a highly toxic refrigerant such as ammonia.

Applicants are required to possess a valid Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician Certification of the appropriate level, commensurate with the type of equipment serviced, issued under the authority of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency.

The following experience is required when the position does not require a license as a Refrigeration Engineer.

One (1) year of experience in the operation, regulation and maintenance of air conditioning and/or refrigeration systems.

Successful completion of a one-year training program in air-conditioning and refrigeration from an accredited community college or vocational school may be substituted for the experience requirement.

A Refrigeration Engineer's License may be substituted for the above experience requirement.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.