Heating and Cooling Plant Operator ($7,500 Sign-On Bonus)

Compensation Grade:

T19

Salary Range:

$35.01-$45.50

Opening Date:

January 21, 2026

Closing Date:

Please Note: All job announcements close at 11:59 p.m. of the day before the posted closing date.

As a Heating and Cooling Plant Operator, you will ensure safe and efficient operation and maintenance of the central boiler and chiller plant to provide heating and cooling for terminal buildings, hangars, parking structures and other facilities at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

Heating and Cooling

Serves in the Airport Utilities Division of the Engineering and Maintenance Department at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

Safely operates and maintains hot water generators, chillers, chilled water storage tank, equipment, and controls in accordance with procedures, instructions, and accepted trade practices during day, evening, night, and weekend shifts. Performs related functions.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Monitors and operates equipment through the Foxboro Distributed Control System (DCS) to ensure proper heating and cooling of Airport facilities.

Operates and maintains a central computer-based control system, high temperature hot water generators, 1150 ton centrifugal chillers, a million gallon chilled water storage tank, cooling tower cells, and auxiliary equipment and controls.

Operates and maintains satellite systems, including local boilers, chillers, conversion equipment, and heat exchangers.

Notifies the Operator in Charge (OIC) of major malfunctions and advises the Operations Division of the extent and urgency of the problems, as directed by the OIC.

Makes complete and accurate daily log entries and reports and resolves problems per established priorities/policies and technical procedures.

Records hourly readings from gauges and control panel displays for temperature, pressure, and flow for chillers, hot water generators, and chilled water storage tanks.

Adjusts controls to increase the temperature of hot water or open valves to add nitrogen or relieve excessive pressure.

Identifies abnormalities by various indicators; monitors bells and alarms to verify normal conditions and respond to malfunctions or deviations, including for sanitary and industrial lift stations and elevator and HVAC systems.

Assists A/C Mechanic by starting/stopping equipment as requested.

Responds to heating and cooling complaints, service calls, and emergencies; visits the problem area to further investigate the problem and take corrective action.

Responds to emergencies and outages by shutting off valves and restarting equipment; overrides automatic controls if malfunctioning.

Performs preventive maintenance on heating and cooling systems. Cleans, changes, checks, repacks, tightens, and tests equipment. Performs chemical tests on hot and cold water systems and cooling towers to monitor water quality.

Cuts, threads, and welds pipe and fabricates parts, such as valve parts and support brackets.

Assists in staffing the Division's after-hours work order desk on evening, night, and weekend shifts.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Four years of progressively responsible experience operating, monitoring, testing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing central plant heating and cooling systems using high temperature hot water generators (or similar equipment), industrial chillers, and chilled water storage, OR A License as a Journey Level HVAC Mechanic.

Two years of specialized experience in operating, monitoring, testing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing a range of high-capacity central plant HVAC equipment and systems.

Knowledge of cooling systems/equipment and ability to operate systems safely and efficiently by maintaining water levels, water pressure, cooling temperatures, refrigerant pressure-temperature relationship, refrigerant levels and temperatures, and refrigerant cycles.

Knowledge of the principles and operating characteristics of central plant heating and air conditioning systems to perform journey-level work and the ability to recognize operating deviations and make necessary corrections.

Knowledge of semi-automated computer-based instrumentation and distributed control systems (DCS) for heating/cooling systems and ability to use it to verify normal operating performance, adjust controls, and identify and isolate operational problems.

Ability to operate hot water generators by ensuring nitrogen pressurization system, maintaining proper temperature by making adjustments for weather, taking equipment on or off line, and inspecting/adjustingthe distribution network of pumps, tanks, and piping.

Ability to handle refrigerant (e.g., R-123) with required precautions, and use tools and equipment of the HVAC trade.

Ability to analyze data and information (diagrams, schematics) to perform work.

Ability to work safely and knowledge of the safety rules, regulations, and procedures needed to do so.

Ability to speak and write effectively.

Skill in using a computer and computerized work order, time, and attendance systems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Licensure as a Master HVAC Mechanic.

Experience with semi-automated computer-based instrumentation and distributed control systems, such as Foxboro DCS, for heating/cooling systems.

EDUCATION

A high school diploma or a Certificate of General Educational Development (GED).

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES REQUIRED

A state driver’s license in good standing.

Licensure as a Journey Level HVAC Mechanic in the Commonwealth of Virginia within 90 days of hire, promotion, or placement.

Certification (universal Section 608) to service HVAC/Refrigeration Equipment from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) within 90 days from the date of hire, promotion, or placement.

NECESSARY SPECIAL FACTORS

Must maintain licensure and certification.

Operates vehicle landside and airside (requires AOA permit).

Work is typically reviewed in progress and upon completion for quantity, quality, timeliness, teamwork, customer service, and other factors.

Is subject to hold-over and recall on a 24-hour basis for essential services and emergencies such as snow removal.

May bend, stoop, crouch, and work in cramped positions; carries/moves objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Is exposed to some adverse weather conditions and dust, grease, dirt, loud noise, high temperatures, possible burns, falls, or injuries. Wears personal protective equipment, as required.

A background security investigation will be required for all new hires.