MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS

Maintenance and operations includes occupations that unload, inspect, install and repair equipment and machinery. Work includes maintenance of buildings and the operation of refineries, power plants, chemical plants, and mills.

CAREER DETAILS

Description:
Construct, assemble, maintain, and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries. Align structures or plate sections to assemble boiler frame tanks or vats, following blueprints. Work involves use of hand and power tools, plumb bobs, levels, wedges, dogs, or turnbuckles. Assist in testing assembled vessels. Direct cleaning of boilers and boiler furnaces. Inspect and repair boiler fittings, such as safety valves, regulators, automatic-control mechanisms, water columns, and auxiliary machines.

Tasks:

  • Attach rigging and signal crane or hoist operators to lift heavy frame and plate sections or other parts into place.
  • Study blueprints to determine locations, relationships, or dimensions of parts.
  • Repair or replace defective pressure vessel parts, such as safety valves or regulators, using torches, jacks, caulking hammers, power saws, threading dies, welding equipment, or metalworking machinery.
  • Locate and mark reference points for columns or plates on boiler foundations, following blueprints and using straightedges, squares, transits, or measuring instruments.
  • Bolt or arc weld pressure vessel structures and parts together, using wrenches or welding equipment.

*Additional tasks may be needed for this career.

Average Salary:
$41,970 – $76,180

Description:
Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.

Tasks:

  • Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
  • Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.
  • Discuss heating or cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify that repairs corrected malfunctions.
  • Connect heating or air conditioning equipment to fuel, water, or refrigerant source to form complete circuit.
  • Install, connect, or adjust thermostats, humidistats, or timers.

*Additional tasks may be needed for this career.

Average Salary:
$28,400 – $69,660

Description:
Install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings.

Tasks:

  • Insert shims, adjust tension on nuts and bolts, or position parts, using hand tools and measuring instruments, to set specified clearances between moving and stationary parts.
  • Level bedplate and establish centerline, using straightedge, levels, and transit.
  • Align machines or equipment, using hoists, jacks, hand tools, squares, rules, micrometers, lasers, or plumb bobs.
  • Assemble and install equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
  • Signal crane operator to lower basic assembly units to bedplate, and align unit to centerline.

*Additional tasks may be needed for this career.

Average Salary:
$33,980 – $76,870

VIRGINIA WIZARD

Learn more about the careers above and others in construction by visiting the Virginia Education Wizard.