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utility assistant

title: Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Utility Assistant
salary: $ - $
categories: [Facilities, Utilities, Maintenance]
description: A comprehensive overview of the key responsibilities, required technical skills and professional background for the role of a Utility Assistant.
High-impact, SEO-optimized summary: Utility Assistant — hands-on support role in facility and plant operations responsible for steam, water, HVAC, and electrical utility systems. Ideal for candidates with preventive maintenance, safety compliance, and mechanical troubleshooting experience. Strong focus on operational reliability, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement in industrial and commercial facilities.

🎯 Role Definition

A Utility Assistant provides essential operational and maintenance support for building and plant utility systems, including boilers and steam distribution, chilled water/HVAC, compressed air, water treatment, electrical distribution, and waste handling. This role performs routine inspections, preventive maintenance, minor repairs, lockout-tagout, emergency response, and accurate operational documentation to ensure continuous, safe, and compliant utility services across the site. The Utility Assistant works under the supervision of senior technicians or facility managers and partners with operations, safety, and engineering teams to improve uptime, energy efficiency, and regulatory performance.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Facilities/Custodial Technician
  • General Maintenance Helper
  • Building Engineer Apprentice

Advancement To:

  • Utility Technician / Plant Operator
  • Facilities Technician / HVAC Technician
  • Maintenance Specialist or Lead
  • Shift Supervisor or Facilities Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

  • HVAC Technician
  • Electrical Maintenance Technician
  • Instrumentation/Controls Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Operate, monitor, and perform routine duties on boiler, steam, and condensate systems including daily start-up/shutdown checks, water level and pressure monitoring, fuel system checks, and safety interlock verification to maintain reliable steam generation and distribution.
  • Conduct daily visual and instrument-based inspections of HVAC chillers, pumps, fans, air handlers, and cooling towers; document readings and immediately report abnormal vibrations, temperatures, or smells to the lead technician.
  • Perform preventive maintenance tasks such as filter changes, belt and coupling replacements, lubrication of bearings and motors, tightening of fittings, and calibration checks to reduce downtime and extend equipment life.
  • Respond to facility alarms and emergency utility outages (steam, chilled water, compressed air, electrical faults), execute emergency procedures, coordinate with operations and safety teams, and restore critical services following established incident response plans.
  • Execute basic electrical troubleshooting under supervision: replace fuses, reset breakers, check motor starters, and assist electricians with lockout-tagout procedures to safely isolate energy sources before maintenance.
  • Maintain and operate water treatment systems for boiler and cooling systems, including chemical dosing, conductivity testing, blowdown control, and recording of water quality parameters to prevent scaling and corrosion.
  • Operate and maintain compressed air systems: drain condensate traps, change filters, inspect hoses and connectors, monitor dew point and pressure gauges, and assist with compressor maintenance.
  • Perform routine plumbing and piping maintenance tasks such as repairing leaks, replacing valves and gaskets, flushing lines, and supporting pipe insulation and steam trap maintenance programs.
  • Conduct equipment rounds and document operational data in logbooks or a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS): record start/stop times, meter readings, corrective actions taken, and handover notes for next shift.
  • Assist with preventive maintenance planning by tagging equipment status, suggesting spare parts, and helping schedule downtime windows in coordination with production or building operations.
  • Support energy conservation initiatives by tracking utility consumption, reporting anomalies, and suggesting simple operational improvements (setback schedules, pump sequencing, VFD checks) to reduce energy costs.
  • Perform confined space entry support under supervision, including atmospherics testing, ventilation setup, attendant duties, and compliance with confined space permits when required.
  • Clean, service, and care for plant and utility areas: remove debris, ensure proper drainage, maintain access ways, and uphold housekeeping standards in mechanical rooms to reduce fire and safety hazards.
  • Assist in routine testing of life-safety and emergency backup systems including emergency generators, transfer switches, fuel systems, battery banks, and UPS units to ensure uninterrupted power for critical loads.
  • Execute basic HVAC controls checks, observe building automation trends, and report control anomalies or sensor failures; assist controls technicians with field verification and sensor replacement.
  • Support inventory management by counting and restocking frequently used parts (filters, belts, gaskets, lubricants), tagging items in inventory systems, and raising requisitions for low-stock parts.
  • Assist mechanics and supervisors with larger corrective maintenance jobs: prepare tools, lift and stage equipment, secure materials, and provide hands-on help during component swaps and rebuilds.
  • Follow hazardous materials handling procedures, properly label and store chemicals, and assist with spill response containment and cleanup under the direction of trained staff.
  • Complete required safety checklists and regulatory documentation for environmental compliance, such as fuel storage inspections, wastewater discharge logs, and emissions monitoring support data.
  • Participate in shift handovers and team briefings, clearly communicate outstanding issues, ongoing repairs, and safety concerns to maintain continuity between shifts and minimize operational risk.
  • Support contractor coordination and site access control for external vendors working on utility systems: verify permits, ensure contractor PPE and safety protocols, and act as facility point of contact for routine utility contractor activities.
  • Perform basic preventive electrical motor maintenance—visual checks, cleaning motor enclosures, verifying cooling paths, and assisting with motor bearing greasing and alignment under supervision.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with planned shutdowns and turnarounds by preparing temporary systems, supporting isolation and purge operations, and helping execute step-down and restart procedures to minimize downtime.
  • Support the facilities team in implementing continuous improvement projects: gather baseline utility data, help with pilot installations (e.g., VFDs, energy meters), and provide operator feedback on performance changes.
  • Help maintain and improve CMMS records by entering work orders, updating equipment histories, tagging incomplete tasks, and ensuring maintenance tasks have clear failure codes and descriptions.
  • Provide backup custodial and groundskeeping support during peak workload periods to preserve overall facility presentation and safety.
  • Contribute to on-the-job training by mentoring new Utility Assistants on routine rounds, basic repairs, and safe work practices to accelerate team competency.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Boiler and steam system operation and basic troubleshooting (pressure, water level, blowdown, steam traps).
  • HVAC equipment operation: chillers, air handlers, cooling towers, pumps, V-belts, and fans.
  • Basic electrical competency: reading single-line diagrams, replacing starters/fuses, breaker resets, and safe practices with low-voltage controls.
  • Water chemistry and water treatment fundamentals for boilers and closed-loop systems (conductivity, pH, hardness).
  • Pneumatic and compressed air system maintenance: filters, dryers, condensate management, and leak detection.
  • Preventive maintenance practices and workmanship (lubrication, alignment, filter replacement, belt tensioning).
  • Lockout-Tagout (LOTO), confined space entry support, and other regulatory safety programs like PPE, fall protection, and permit-to-work systems.
  • Proficiency using a CMMS to enter work orders, update equipment logs, and track inventory part numbers.
  • Basic plumbing and piping repairs: replacing valves, gaskets, pipe fittings, and performing leak isolation.
  • Generator and emergency power system operation and testing procedures.
  • Basic HVAC controls and building automation system (BAS) familiarity — trend reading and alarm acknowledgment.
  • Use of hand and power tools safely; ability to lift and move equipment and parts per site safety standards.
  • Knowledge of hazardous materials handling, SDS interpretation, and spill response basics.

Soft Skills

  • Strong safety mindset with the ability to identify hazards and stop work for unsafe conditions.
  • Clear verbal and written communication for effective shift handovers and inter-department coordination.
  • Attention to detail for accurate logbook entries, meter reading, and compliance documentation.
  • Problem-solving orientation and practical troubleshooting to isolate faults and propose corrective actions.
  • Team player who supports senior technicians, contractors, and operators during maintenance windows.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to balance preventive tasks, reactive repairs, and inspections.
  • Adaptability and willingness to learn new systems, tools, and procedures in a fast-paced facility environment.
  • Customer-service approach when interacting with building occupants, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
  • Dependability for on-call or shift work, punctuality, and consistent follow-through on assigned tasks.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED with relevant vocational training or trade school courses.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or technical certificate in HVAC, Industrial Maintenance, Mechanical Technology, or related field.
  • Coursework or certification in boiler operation, electrical fundamentals, or water treatment.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Mechanical or Industrial Technology
  • HVAC/Refrigeration
  • Electrical Technology
  • Environmental or Chemical Technology
  • Facilities Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years of hands-on experience in facility maintenance, utilities, or plant operations (entry-level candidates with vocational training often considered).

Preferred: 1–3+ years supporting industrial or commercial utility systems (boilers, chillers, pumps, compressors) with documented preventive maintenance and basic troubleshooting experience. Certifications such as OSHA 10/30, Confined Space, CPR/First Aid, Forklift, or Boiler Operator licensure are a strong plus.

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