any power engineers on the board?

[C5_Ryder]

We are looking for guys at the City of Vancouver

Job Posting Title
Maintenance Technician I
Company
Our employees help Vancouver consistently rank as one of the world's most livable cities. We are one of BC's Top 55
Employers, and Canada's Top 100 Employers.
Vancouver is striving to become the greenest city in the world by 2020. You too can make a difference by applying for
the following opportunity.
STOC-0248 Correction
Close Date
Open until filled
Reporting to the Chief Engineer, this position is responsible for maintaining, operating and troubleshooting physical
plant equipment used in heating, ventilation and air conditioning of our buildings.
The successful candidate inspects components, checks gauges and monitors fluid levels; maintains, repairs and/or
replaces filters, pulleys and belts; replaces gaskets, pumps and bearings; refits and packs valves; oils, greases and
cleans components and adds chemicals and conducts operational tests to ensure optimal equipment operation. Makes
set point adjustments to physical plant equipment and related systems, and other duties as required by the Chief
Engineer.
Requirements
Fourth Class Power Engineering Certificate with sound related experience in HVAC equipment maintenance including
testing, operation and servicing of electronic, pneumatic and computerized direct digital control systems as well as
proven ability to work independently and as part of a team. A valid BC Driver's license is required. Good working
knowledge of a Windows environment is an asset. Good working knowledge of DDC and good knowledge of WCB
indoor air quality regulations is an asset.
An Enhanced Reliability Check security clearance is a requirement of this position.
The City of Vancouver is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Employment Type
Auxiliary/Casual
Number of Positions
4
Affiliation
CUPE Local 15 Bargaining Unit (VMECW)
Salary Information
Pay Grade 19: $25.96 per hour plus a percentage in lieu of benefits (16%)

[DavidYeh]

Hey Ryder, you seem like you've been in the industry for a while now. I've got a couple questions.

Im currently working in a recreational facility as a building operations worker. To move up I'll need at least my class 4 power engineering. I currently work full time, and my company would be willing to pay for my education, but they dont really want me to take time off work.

With that being said, I would need to take distance education. How hard is the material to learn by distance education? Im not that strong in math but everything else I'm confident I can pick up releativly easily.

For your 4th class exam, is there any practicum time you are required to complete? to my understanding its just for the 3rd class?

Assuming that I finish my 4th class in a years time, I would have had 3 years in total of related work experience, what should I be expecting in terms of average wages?

Thanks in advance!

[nubb]

You need 6 months firing time with distance ed may i ask where you work at??
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[DavidYeh]

If i take the 1 year general program, it includes firing time? sorry for the noob questions. I checked the BCIT courses and it does not specifically mention a boiler lab or fire time or steam time. But it does mention that it will get me ready for the 4th class power engineer exam which I assume already includes the practicum part.

nubb, check pm.

[nubb]

Yes, general course will include the firing time.
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[C5_Ryder]

Originally Posted by YoungGunna

Hey Ryder, you seem like you've been in the industry for a while now. I've got a couple questions.

Im currently working in a recreational facility as a building operations worker. To move up I'll need at least my class 4 power engineering. I currently work full time, and my company would be willing to pay for my education, but they dont really want me to take time off work.

With that being said, I would need to take distance education. How hard is the material to learn by distance education? Im not that strong in math but everything else I'm confident I can pick up releativly easily.

For your 4th class exam, is there any practicum time you are required to complete? to my understanding its just for the 3rd class?

Assuming that I finish my 4th class in a years time, I would have had 3 years in total of related work experience, what should I be expecting in terms of average wages?

Thanks in advance!

You need firing time for fourth class, your work should be able to give you the firing time since you been working there for three years. However if its not a fourth class plant then you would be out of luck and need to find firing time.

Math was hard for the older guys because its been so long since theyve taking it. Most guys take the math refresher course before they enroll. If youve taken grade 12 math , this should not be a problem. The mechanical things are straight foward and yes you do need to be mechanically incline to understand it.

Wages are from 18-35 bucks an hour. Like i said before, 18 is for people right out of school, if you have 3 years and have DDC experience, your looking at 25-30. Wages are rising every year so this could change.

[DavidYeh]

Thanks, that gives me a good idea of what I need to be prepared for when I take it next year. I think I will end up going for the 10 month course since I rather be prepared. Math also isnt my strongest area so I'll need extra help and I dont think distance will cut it. Grade 11 principals was all I have and that was a long time ago. Im pretty mechanically inclined so I think I'll be okay for the rest of it.

[SpuGen]

If I take the General Program, then switch to Technical, would it be a big waste of time?

How long was the Waitlist for the Technical Course?

Course load for school? Hard/Easy Homework?

And for those of you with jobs already, how hard is the job when you first start out? Do you work alone, or in a team?

[Blinky]

Nobody's answered you Spugen, so I'll answer with the only thing I know about your Qs:

There is demand for power engineers, especially in Alberta. Are you willing to move? There are more modest-paying jobs in the city as well, though I would assume that there is more competition there.

As for working alone vs in a team, it depends on the work environment. There are some cases where you might be operating a small or medium office building with little interface with coworkers (but perhaps dealing with building tenants). On the other hand, you might be firing a recovery boiler at a pulp mill with a half-dozen other people at your side.