
Chief Engineer
Job Description
Chief Engineer
Department: Facilities
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library
Reporting To: Stephen Vellon
Compensation: $100,000 - $110,000 / year
Description
- The maintenance and operation of the building’s physical plant.
- Management of the SNFL maintenance team and provide a positive team environment in which members participate, respect, and cooperate to achieve desired results.
- Team members safe and efficient operating procedures.
- Best practices in the maintenance of equipment and machinery to prolong useful life and achieve efficient output.
- How to manage building maintenance needs efficiently and sustainably, with limited resources.
- Stay up to date with BMS technologies and building code compliance.
- The ability of NYPL to provide patrons and staff with a safe and welcoming environment.
- Understand how the library is organized and physically laid out.
- Understand the specific goals and role of the Facilities Operations team.
- Perform inspections, troubleshoot issues, and operate building systems.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for critical conditions, emergencies, or escalations.
- Participate in department planning meetings and develop long term strategic goals.
- Oversee implementation of schedules for daily and periodic services.
- Resolve problems and create action plans within limited resources.
- Provide direction, motivation and set an example to staff through open communication and modeling best practices.
- Demonstrate their ability to motivate others to meet a common goal; recognize and effectively leverage employees’ skills and abilities.
- Develop cost estimates/ procure bids for repairs and renovations.
- Direct overall operation, maintenance, and reliability of all building systems and equipment, ensuring optimal performance and compliance with standards
- Oversee and validate work performed by outside vendors, ensuring technical accuracy, quality, and timely completion of contracted services
- Conduct and enforce routine inspections, rounds, and preventative maintenance programs; maintain detailed logs of equipment status, temperatures, flows, and consumption
- Operate, troubleshoot, and maintain critical systems, including chillers, cooling towers, generators, air compressors, motors, pumps, and associated controls to ensure peak efficiency
- Supervise, train, and coordinate engineering and maintenance staff, including refrigerating system operating engineers (Q-01), while managing schedules, shift coverage, and performance
- Manage building automation systems (BMS), adjusting controls and monitoring system performance to maintain optimal environmental and operational conditions
- Lead maintenance of HVAC components, including air filters, coils, fan coil units, dampers, fans, and ventilation systems, as well as pneumatic and electric controls
- Administer departmental operations, including budgeting (overtime), materials procurement, task prioritization, recordkeeping, and response to emergency situations, including off-hours coverage
- Serve as senior on-site authority during emergencies, including acting as an FDNY-certified Fire and Life Safety Director
- Manage approximately 6 staff members; onsite operating engineers and maintenance personnel
- Coach others to develop in-depth knowledge and expertise in all areas within their function
- Ensure compliance with safety procedures and local ordinances
Required Education, Experience & Skills
- High school diploma or equivalent; technical certifications or vocational training in relevant fields
- Must possess a valid Refrigerating System Operating Engineer (Q-01), issued by the NYC Fire Department
- Valid driver’s license and clear driving record
- Ability to qualify and obtain valid certificates of fitness for the following: Standpipe and Sprinkler systems; P-98 - Supervision of Fuel-Oil Piping and Storage Systems, A-35 - Certificate to Operate and Maintain Air Compressors, F-89 - High Rise Fire and Life Safety Director and Freon Handler (CFC)
- 7+ years of relevant technical experience
- 3+ years of substantial supervisory experience
- Experience in building trades in a collectively bargained environment
- Experience with the operation and maintenance of large-scale heating, air conditioning (Large Central Units and Package Units), elevator, electrical, and plumbing systems
- Experience reading blueprints, maintaining logs, writing reports, and preparing work schedules
- Strong technical background in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems
- Ability to manage a team and supervise building engineers
- Proficient with Microsoft Word and Google Suite
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to respond effectively to emergencies
- Must be familiar with all hand tools, specialty tools and equipment required to operate machinery throughout the facility
More...
- Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
- Be Resourceful in solving problems
- Be Curious in all aspects of your work
- Be Welcoming and Inclusive
- Public service library
- Mechanical rooms and roofs
- Office setting
- Outdoors
- Must be physically capable of making prescribed inspections and repairs of the plant, and be able to visually and audibly determine any discrepancies.
- Requires bending, stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting/moving 50 pounds and up
- Ability to ascend/descend, and work on ladders or manlift when required
- May require travel within NYC
- Yes
- 35 hours per week
- Tuesday to Saturday from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. Evenings and weekends as needed.
Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).