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Plant Maintenance Technologist Grade 1

Plant Maintenance Grade I Certification is designed to demonstrate competency at the entry and basic working level. More specifically, Grade I certification implies competence in the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the Essential  Duties of an entry level Plant Maintenance Technologist.

Eligibility Criteria For Taking The Test
There are no experience or education requirements for Grade I certification. Completing the Application for Technical Certification, paying the appropriate application fee, and passing the written examination are the only requirements. It is, however, recommended that Grade I candidates have at least one year of experience working as an Plant Maintenance Technologist performing the Essential Duties listed below. Many candidates without the recommended experience have difficulty successfully completing the written test.

Essential Duties Of The Grade I Plant Maintenance Technologist
Individuals certified as Grade I Plant Maintenance Technologists are expected to possess acceptable competency when performing the tasks that are necessary for entry level Plant Maintenance Technologists. These necessary tasks are known as the Essential Duties. The certification test measures knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the Essential Duties.

1. Interprets and works from basic drawings, designs, schematics, sketches, and    written and verbal instructions; performs basic maintenance, repairs, fabrication, and rebuilding of shop, field and plant equipment used in water and/or wastewater treatment facilities, pump stations, and collection systems.
2. Lubricates, adjusts, and maintains shop, field, and plant equipment, including inspection, cleaning, and repairing wet wells, pipelines, pumps, compressors, valves, chemical feed, and processing equipment.
3. Performs basic preventive and corrective maintenance by isolating power, grounding wires, troubleshooting problems, making repairs, restoring power and checking for proper operation.
4. Performs basic electrical and instrumentation circuit installation for additions or modifications by bending and installing conduit, pulling wire, wiring in circuits as shown on blueprint and testing system for proper installation.
5. Assists in the installation of, inspection, and repair of a variety of pumps, such as centrifugal, positive displacement, and screw; services, lubricates, adjusts, and maintains pumps; removes and installs packing and most seals.
6. Using basic welding skills to perform horizontal welding and fabricating with acetylene and arc welders; heats and cuts materials; and fabricates simple projects.
7. Maintains, installs, inspects, and repairs piping systems of galvanized, PVC, stainless steel, and copper tubing; identifies types of piping, fittings, and basic valves; cuts and threads pipes; and makes minor modifications to existing piping systems.
8. Performs basic to routine maintenance and repair tasks on engines, such as changes oil, belts, and spark plugs; replaces filters; obtains oil and fuel samples; and takes hydrometer readings of coolant and battery fluids.
9. Performs regularly scheduled maintenance, inspection, and repair tasks on comminuting and grinding devices; replaces and adjusts cutters and combs; cleans bar screens; lubricates devices; and assists others in the more complex repairs.
10. Performs basic maintenance, inspection, and repair tasks on mechanical and electrical drive components.
11. Maintains, inspects, and repairs a variety of hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical process control equipment.
12. Follows the safe and proper use of various hand, power tools and test instruments.
13. Follow proper safety practices, precautions, and procedures, such as confined space entry, storing, handling, and transporting gases, using correct lockout and tagout procedures; and assisting in rigging as required for the movement or placement of heavy machinery or equipment.
14. Complete minimal work process documentation.

Complexity Of Test Questions
At the Grade I level, certificate candidates are expected to have basic knowledge of the job and the ability to safely perform the Essential Duties listed

above. Examinees will have to answer multiple choice questions that test knowledge, comprehension, and application of the subject matter. The complexity of the questions will range from basic recall of previously learned material and the ability to understand the meaning of the subject matter, to being able to apply knowledge to new situations.

Test Content Areas
The following list is an outline of Test Content Areas. Each content area is a Knowledge, Skill, or Ability that is required to perform the Essential Duties listed above. Since all of the Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities are required to perform the Essential Duties they are all equally important in the demonstration of acceptable competency. Thus, all of the content areas listed below are equally weighted on the test.

Test Content Areas For Grade I

1. Methods, practices, procedures, and tools of plant maintenance.
2. General equipment repair and maintenance techniques.
3. Safety precautions pertaining to working in a plant maintenance environment.
4. Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
5. Use standard hand, electric, and pneumatic tools and equipment of the plant maintenance trade.
6. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, in the English language.
7. Perform entry level maintenance and repair of construction, shop, field, and plant equipment and structures.
8. Interpret basic plant drawings, specifications, diagrams and schematics, record and keep standard and computerized records.
9. Perform shop mathematics/calculations.
10. Work in an environment that requires logical reasoning in the diagnosing and troubleshooting of equipment and controls.

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