Building Services Assistant 2

Occ. Code 3011002

BUILDING SERVICES ASSISTANT 2, GRADE 9

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

Positions in this class perform a variety of semiskilled manual tasks related to the operation and maintenance of State-owned buildings and facilities, the surrounding grounds and the vehicles and equipment used in maintaining these sites. These positions exist in the Office of General Services.

CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA

Positions in this class perform a combination of maintenance, repair, grounds and custodial operations. They operate motor vehicles as needed in conjunction with primary duties and perform parking services duties at various State-owned facilities managed by the Office of General Services.

A Building Services Assistant 2 working alone or as part of a work crew performs semiskilled maintenance and repair activities requiring light, medium and heavy physical effort in one or a combination of trades such as carpentry, electric, plumbing, masonry, and mechanical repair. Incumbents may also perform grounds maintenance, drive a variety of motor vehicles in order to transport material and equipment, perform tasks involving public contact in the administration of the daily operation of parking areas throughout the State, and provide general information regarding a particular site.

The Building Services Assistant 2 is a generalist class which performs a range of semiskilled maintenance tasks associated with such classes as Maintenance Assistant, Maintenance Assistant (Mechanic), and Senior Grounds Worker. The Building Services Assistant 2 class is distinguished from these others by the broader variety of semiskilled tasks performed.

Building Services Assistant 1, Grade 5 positions perform a variety of unskilled and manual tasks related to the operation, maintenance and custodial care of State-owned buildings and facilities, the surrounding grounds and the vehicles and equipment used in maintaining these sites.

Positions of Building Service Aide, NS perform a limited number of basic, unskilled, cleaning tasks in an office setting or in the halls and public areas of State-operated facilities. Positions are characterized by performance of these duties on a part-time basis, usually working only four to six hours a day, as needed, to supplement a custodial program.

ILLUSTRATIVE ACTIVITIES AND TASKS

This classification standard is intended to be illustrative of positions of Building Services Assistant 2 and the duties and tasks which can be assigned to incumbents. Specific duties of each individual position will be described on a posting/vacancy notice and in performance programs based on the operating need of the agency.

Activities

A Building Services Assistant 2 may be required on an occasional basis to perform any of the duties, tasks, and activities described in the standard for the Building Services Assistant 1 position. In addition, any combination of the following may be performed by an incumbent based on the assignment given.

Performs a variety of semiskilled tasks as a member of construction and maintenance crews.
Performs general grounds maintenance tasks such as raking, tilling soil, mowing lawns, applying fertilizers and pesticides, cutting brush and wood, trimming and removing trees and shrubs, maintaining roads and sidewalks and removing snow and trash.
Performs a variety of routine, repetitive, semiskilled tasks in one or a combination of motor equipment, mechanical, building or electrical trades at a site.
Operates a variety of motor vehicles including automobiles, trucks and vans, both on and off State property in connection with the loading and transporting of material and equipment as required.

Illustrative Tasks

Assists with the routine replacement and repair of plumbing and steamfitting equipment and installation of new equipment, according to layouts provided by the supervisor, by cutting, fitting, and threading pipe; removing existing pipes and fixtures; repairing, replacing or adjusting filters, pumps, water mixers, thermostats, and other fixtures; locating and unplugging stoppages; checking oil level in storage tanks; repairing leaks in steam and water lines; overhauling vacuum pumps; and insulating steam lines.
Assists with carpentry activities including repairing doors, windows, window sashes, storm windows, stairs, railings, furniture, locks, and door hardware; operating shop machinery to make and assemble bookcases, shelves, tables, benches, signs and modular furniture; erecting and moving partitions; building forms for concrete work; and under supervision, assisting in erecting and renovating buildings and structures.
Assists in repairing and maintaining locks by making keys, changing lock combinations, opening locks when keys are not available, installing locks, and cleaning and repairing locks.
Assists with masonry repairs and installation activities such as pointing up brick and stone work, patching plaster walls, setting tiles, laying brick and stone, finishing concrete work, replacing firebrick in boilers, and operating equipment including mixers and concrete block machines.
Assists in painting and decorating work by performing interior and exterior painting not requiring fine finish or decorative treatment, staining and finishing wood and furniture, painting equipment, installing wallpaper, and spray painting surfaces and equipment.
Assists with routine tasks of the electrical trade, including repairing electrical equipment such as overhead door motors, vacuum cleaners and other appliances; replacing brushes on large electric motors; laying and repairing electrical cables and wires; installing and maintaining lighting fixtures, outlets, and switches; and adjusting points and contacts on electrical equipment.
Performs routine semiskilled preventive maintenance on vehicles to insure safe and efficient operation. Monitors gauges and checks fluid levels, tire pressure, safety equipment and trailer hitches; replaces burned-out bulbs; pumps gas/fuel; adds water to radiator, oil to engine/crank case, and air to tires as required; and changes tires and oil.
Performs semiskilled routine tasks in the repair, maintenance and servicing of automotive and mechanical equipment such as the adjustment of hydraulic brakes; replacement of wheel bearings; the removal and replacement of such components as starters, fuel pumps, water pumps, gas tanks, carburetors, exhaust system components, shock absorbers, springs and radiators and minor body work.
Performs minor engine repairs as well as tune-ups including the installation of points, plugs, condensers, and sets dwell and timing according to manufacturers' specifications.
Performs preventive maintenance inspections of vehicles and equipment following preventive maintenance schedules to insure safe and trouble-free performance.
Following specific instructions, incumbents assist journey-level positions in making major mechanical repairs by performing such tasks as disassembling and assembling engines, engine components or mechanical equipment, cleaning parts and inspecting for wear, and performing routine machinist activities such as grinding valves and valve seals according to specifications and specific instructions.
Assists with cutting, welding, and brazing a variety of metal materials and equipment using electric or oxy-acetylene welding equipment not requiring complex planning and layout or the use of special procedures.
Operates machine tools, including lathes, shapers, milling machines, metal cutting saws, planers, and radial drill presses, to manufacture metal items, such as large bushings and special bolts, and performs the less difficult machine operations, such as threading bolts and cutting keyways.
Responds to equipment problems by solving minor ones and directing major ones to a supervisor.
May use and operate a variety of hand and power tools and motorized equipment including self-propelled and stationary machinery.
Maintains written records of work performed and labor and materials used; reports orally to the supervisor on the progress of projects under way.
May plan or assist in the planning of landscaping and other grounds projects by preparing rough sketches and schedules, and estimates of labor, materials and equipment.
Mixes and applies fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and insecticides.
Prunes and trims trees and shrubs using such equipment as climbing hooks and belts, ladders, ropes and tackles, chain and hand saws and other related tools.

INDEPENDENCE OF OPERATION

The incumbents in this class vary in the amounts of supervision received; they may be closely supervised or work with relative independence. Incumbents may set their own priorities for daily activities in achieving a given assignment or work schedule, or may receive direct supervision when more complicated activities are required.

Generally, the work priorities for a Building Services Assistant 2 will be set, the nature and extent of work to be performed described, parts and materials furnished, and technical repair/parts manuals provided. When necessary, the supervisor will assist in performing the more difficult tasks and inspect the job, while in progress and when completed, to insure that instructions have been followed and that the quality of the work meets established guidelines. Incumbents are expected to function with considerable independence on the more routine and repetitive activities and when supervision is not available.

The more difficult assignments which would suffer greater consequences of error and would require more than semiskilled work are generally performed by a General Mechanic or a person serving in a journey-level title.

COMPLEXITY

A Building Services Assistant 2 will generally be given more complex assignments than the Building Services Assistant 1. They usually are assigned to work in a crew where others are performing the same or similar tasks. Written directions are usually not necessary.

COMMUNICATION

This class encompasses many different jobs which vary in both the extent and level of the involvement and communication with people.

The activities performed by Building Services Assistant 2 generally restrict relationships to employees working within the same organizational unit. Such relationships are characterized by frequent oral and, on occasion, written communication in exchanging information, and assisting each other. Incumbents may be called on to answer routine questions regarding a tourist attraction or to handle non-complex complaints. While operating a motor vehicle, the incumbent may have oral communications with personnel at pick-up and drop-off points for the arrangement of loading and unloading of goods and materials.

Written communication with the general public is not typical of positions in this class.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

The Building Services Assistants 2 are supervised by incumbents of journey level trades positions, General Mechanics, Building Superintendents, Building Managers or his/her representative and may supervise a group of up to 20 subordinates by assigning work, periodically observing work performance and inspecting assigned building areas for compliance with cleaning, grounds or maintenance programs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

In addition to the knowledge, skill and ability brought to the Building Services Assistant 1 position:

Working knowledge of the rules, regulations, maintenance practices and procedures used at the assigned site.
Working knowledge of the methods, practices and equipment used in planting, cultivating and caring for trees, shrubs, flowers and lawns.
Working knowledge of the common plant pests and diseases, and the methods used in their control and eradication.
Working knowledge of safety standards and procedures used in the assigned area.
Basic knowledge of record-keeping requirements.
Working knowledge of applicable codes and regulations for the trade or trades to which assigned.
Working knowledge of the methods, materials, tools and equipment used in the area assigned.
Ability to perform work requiring moderate to heavy physical effort and to climb and work from heights.
Ability to use a variety of hand and power tools, equipment, materials and motorized and self-propelled equipment of the trade to which assigned in a safe and effective manner.
Ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions.
Ability to supervise others.
Ability to load and unload goods by hand and by use of mechanical equipment.
Ability to operate assigned machinery including motor vehicles and a variety of mechanized construction equipment in a safe and effective manner.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Two years of full-time, verifiable experience in custodial, grounds, elevator and/or maintenance operation or assisting in a journey-level trade.

A demonstration test must be passed by non-OGS employees.

When required to operate motor vehicles, incumbents must possess a valid New York State driver's license appropriate for the type of vehicle being operated.