Title: Chief Engineer
Department: Engineering
Reports To: Property Manager
Location: New York, New York
FLSA: Full-Time, Non-exempt
COMPANY SUMMARY
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) is a NYC-focused REIT that owns and operates a portfolio of modernized, amenitized, and well-located office, retail, and multifamily assets and the Observatory deck attraction in ESRT’s flagship Empire State Building – the “World’s Most Famous Building”. The Company is the recognized leader in energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. As of March 31, 2024, ESRT's portfolio is comprised of approximately 8.6 million rentable square feet of office space, 0.7 million rentable square feet of retail space and 727 residential units. More information about Empire State Realty Trust can be found at esrtreit.com and by following ESRT on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.
The dedicated team at ESRT is a collection of diverse individuals with a shared passion for excellence and a keen eye toward future growth. Headquartered in New York City, we harness the energy of the city in everything we do. We care for one another, work hard, and have a lot of fun doing it! We are Certified™ as a Great Place to Work® by the global authority, Great Place to Work®, on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors. We prioritize and invest in the health and wellness of employees to attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent. ESRT values continuous employee development and encourages colleagues to excel in their roles and adapt to emerging business needs. From our crown jewel, The Empire State Building, to incredible buildings modernized for the 21st century, to outstanding customer service, and our decade-long leadership position in sustainability and energy efficient portfolio that is 100% fully powered by renewable wind electricity, we take pride in our work. ESRT seeks an equally passionate colleague to join the team, understand the vision and help achieve that vision.
POSITION SUMMARY
ESRT is seeking a Chief Engineer who will work closely with the Property Manager and management team in the oversight of the building technical operations and project work, and in meeting all requirements of the Landlord. The Chief is fully responsible for supervising the building engineer staff, maintenance of the building equipment, preventive maintenance of all building equipment, overseeing associated outsourced building contracts, overseeing, and responding to Tenant service calls, providing support for all building leasing and marketing TI projects as required, expediting other special projects as directed by the Property Manager and responding to all building emergencies.
RESPONSIBILITIES
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Serve as a building representative in daily liaison with tenants and LL as required. Ensure tenants receive all services necessary to fulfill lease requirements.
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Maintains a Fire Life Safety Director Certificate of Fitness (F-89)
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Maintains Fire Department required maintenance logs for Class E system and Sprinkler / Standpipe system.
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Review and approve tenant plans for construction and renovations. Inspect all construction work and prepare mechanical and electrical "punch lists". Interact with contractors, designers, architects and various trades' people on building construction/renovations and modifications.
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Responsible for the proper, efficient, and safe operation of the building HVAC, electrical, plumbing and fire safety systems. This includes maintaining an effective preventive maintenance program for all equipment.
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Procure and review copies of architectural, mechanical, and electrical blueprints for all tenant remodeling for the purpose of ensuring actual work conforms to approved blueprints. Maintain current blueprints for each floor and CADD drawings.
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Supervise and monitor the activities of contractors and suppliers engaged to provide services and supplies.
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Ensure subcontracted work performed in the building meets prevailing codes and standards in addition to the BMP & F-MS standards for workmanship and materials.
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Maintain current and valid inventory of building owned equipment, tools, and supplies.
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Prepare monthly activities report of building and equipment and submit to the Property Manager.
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Be security conscious. Oversee and adhere to safety and emergency procedures.
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Participate in the development and implementation of operating, maintenance, and capital improvement budgets.
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Institute and oversee effective energy management techniques.
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Perform daily inspection of all ongoing projects to make sure plans are being followed. Report findings to Management Team and Architect/Engineer
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Report and check-in with Management at the beginning and end of each day.
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Monitor Contractor performing repairs confirming that Tenant property and wall/floor finishes are protected. Coordinate finished restoration work and clean-up with Building Staff.
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Maintain a written list of opened tasks and provide instructions to Engineering Staff detailing job to be completed
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Ensure all open work orders are assigned, completed, commented on status, and closed on a daily basis. Open/ pending items are to be placed on Hold until such time as repair can be completed; Tenant is to be notified of any such delays.
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Maintain complete and up-to-date list of Contractor contact information to share with team
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Prepare Job Descriptions for Engineering Staff and insure they are meeting requirements,
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Follow-up to completion with Contractors to resolve long-standing Tenant issues
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Follow-up to completion with Contractors to resolve long-standing mechanical issues
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Report any common area maintenance deficiencies and input them in the buildings work order system for remediation.
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Maintain & use the preventative maintenance module of the Buildings Work Order System.
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Maintain all building "As-Built" Plans and insure they are always filed and kept in a neat and orderly fashion.
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Assist Management with the preparation of the annual budget and advise on any recommended R&M or Capital expenses required in order to maintain the proactive operation of the building.
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Insure ESRT’s Best Practices are being met and advise on any deviations
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Directs maintenance and operational programs to ensure maximum life reliability and efficiency of all property mechanical systems which include, but are not limited to:
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plumbing.
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carpentry.
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Electrical.
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HVAC including auxiliary equipment.
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Directs general building maintenance including restroom repair; door, ceiling, and floor repair; structural repair; tenant comfort; and painting.
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Supervises and coordinates activities of engineering staff utilizing the Owner’s Computerized Maintenance and Management System (example: Building Engines).
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Assuring staff is supplied with proper equipment and tools and are trained in safe operation of such.
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Controls the engineering activities and building mechanical systems in emergency situations.
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Interviews new staff, assist in scheduling training of staff, and able to assist in evaluating and counseling engineering staff on performance.
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Monitors and approves time sheets and overtime for engineering staff. Ability to utilize excel spreadsheets and Computerized payroll systems such as ADP.
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Tests, keeps records & maintains emergency equipment in good working order.
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Monitors building energy use, assist in producing reports, and assist in implementing energy management programs.
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Maintains current and historical preventive records on all mechanical equipment using Owner’s Computerized Maintenance and Management System (example: Building Engines or equivalent work order platform).
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Evaluates, recommends, and monitors mechanical contractors based on bids.
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Prepare purchase orders using the building’s electronic ordering system
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Purchases parts and supplies according to company policy and approved budget guidelines.
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Follows tenant construction and assures building integrity.
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Assists with preparing annual budget proposal, monitors, and explains variances from approved budgets to actual expenses.
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Coordinates for proper material waste disposal.
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Reviews on a regular basis and is prepared to follow all current emergency procedures set forth by the managing agent and the assigned property.
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Troubleshoot and resolve technical problems, ensuring minimal downtime and disruption of services.
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Ensure compliance with safety regulations and maintain a safe working environment.
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Maintains ethical, professional, and courteous relations with contractors.
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Acts as a team member with all employees of the management and building staff.
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Maintains good tenant relations by establishing and implementing procedures for timely response on tenant and property work orders.
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Maintains highest professional standards in appearance and dress.
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Inspect, service, and repair cooling tower machinery. Performs routine and preventative maintenance on chillers electrical and mechanical components.
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Identifying operational efficiency improvements to reduce equipment wear and tear and create energy and emissions savings.
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Keeping up to date with industry trends, new/ creative/ innovative technologies, and best practices in engineering and with management of staff.
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Be knowledgeable and analytical and able to apply accordingly to solve issues as they may arise to be able to solve problems effectively, efficiently, and timely.
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Regular maintenance, cleaning, disinfecting and inspections of building cooling towers. Management of reporting is required.
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Responsible for Cooling Tower Maintenance- Maintenance Program and Plan. Category 7G Certified Applicator required to be obtained in order to manage and maintain the various buildings cooling towers and the MPP associated with them all.
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Responsible for inspection of common area, and back of house mechanical and electrical rooms. Building Engines work tickets to be written as required.
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Review, monitor and report on opportunities for Energy, Preventive Maintenance, and/or other cost-saving measures.
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Providing supervision for controls projects; Overseeing controls procurement and design
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Knowledge of and experience with various types of Building Automation systems/platforms such as: BMS, BAS, Direct Digital Controls (DDC), BACnet, MODbus, Johnson Controls, Honeywell, Tridium, Alerton, Automated Logic, Distech, Schneider, etc.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
You are a highly motivated individual with a passion for engineering, who possesses the necessary skills needed in this role. You are a leader and can keep management updated on a daily basis. You are able to supervise a team of engineers and provide them with a list of responsibilities and instructions for which they are to complete. You have strong communication skills and the ability to communicate with both tenant and colleagues. You are organized and able to keep track of any issues that need to be fixed such as tenant or mechanical issues.
REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES
Technical - Training and/or experience in the various building trades.
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Engineering/ Operating HVAC Systems
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Proficient in all Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Systems and Equipment
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Electrical Systems and Sub-Systems
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Control Systems
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Pneumatic, electric, electronic and /or solid state direct digital control systems for automatic temperature control and/or automated energy management functions.
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Plumbing and Pressure Piping Systems
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Hydronic and Other Pressurized Piping Systems
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Fire Alarm Systems, Life Safety Systems, Air Distribution Systems (Duct) and VAV Systems
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Knowledge and ability to use and work with tools, equipment, and various instruments for the purposes of measuring, testing, analysis and repair of electrical equipment and all types of HVAC systems.
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Knowledge and ability to use computers.
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Preventative maintenance programs as they apply to all the building systems. Maintain all equipment in accordance with local codes, restrictions, and licensing requirements.
Management - Knowledgeable and/or proficient in the following management disciplines
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Management skills, training, and experience.
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Administrative skills and ability.
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Supervisory skills in time management, quantitative and qualitative analysis of staff members’ performance.
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Documentation, reports and record keeping.
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Employee Administration
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Performs and administers employee performance evaluation.
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Recommends salary rates, bonuses, job positions, promotions & other administrative matters.
Communications
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Be proficient in the English language and be able to effectively communicate at all levels in both oral and written forms.
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Be able to write professionally and comprehensively in memorandums, letters, reports, documents, employee files, etc.
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Applicant must be in sound physical condition and in good health.
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Promote and maintain the objectives of a drug-free workplace.
Essential Physical Abilities
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Visually inspects building.
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Ability to work off the ladder.
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Ability to work in tight environments.
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Walks up and down stairs for inspections and emergency procedure practice or implementation.
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Detects emergency alarms — audible and/or visual.
Essential Knowledge and Skills
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Organized, able to work in an efficient manner and multi-task with ease.
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Meets deadlines and milestone dates.
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Possesses attributes such as being a self-starter, motivated and requires minimal supervision.
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Follows all city, state and federal laws and codes.
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Determines time, place, and sequence of operations or action to be taken based on analysis of data; executes determinations and/or reports on events.
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Determines or interprets work procedures for staff, assigns specific duties to them, maintains harmonious relations among them, and promotes efficiency.
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Computes mathematical equations on a chiller performance test.
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Maintains calm demeanor in emergency situations.
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Applies principles of rational systems to solve practical problems and deals with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
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Interprets a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.
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Reads manuals, safety rules, instructions in the use and maintenance of shop tools, equipment, methods and procedures in mechanical drawing and layout work.
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Assists with training engineering staff in all trades, building systems and equipment function and purpose.
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Writes reports using proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
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A high school diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). College or university credits or degree in applicable discipline preferred.
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Minimum (5) years’ experience in the various disciplines of operating engineering, electrical power, and HVAC systems, with two or more years with personnel management experience.
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A current engineer's license (or equivalent) that is either issued or recognized and accepted by the jurisdiction in which the employee is actively engaged. Additionally, specific licensure in electrical, refrigeration and air conditioning is required.
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EPA CFC Certification
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Refrigeration (Q-01)/Operator’s Certificate of Fitness
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Fire Life Safety Director (F-89) and Emergency Action Plan Certificate of Finesses
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Category 7G Certified Applicator License
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(G7) Category 7G Certified Applicator License (Pesticide),required or expected to be obtained.
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S-12/S-13 qualified or expected to be obtained.
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Fireguard/Torch (F-60)
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
At ESRT, like our tenants, our employees come from everywhere. We foster a richly diverse work environment that captures top talent and cultivates the best ideas. By focusing on inclusion and celebrating our differences, we create even greater value — in business practices, relationships, and employee engagement. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to maintaining a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment where our employees can thrive. In addition, ESRT employees embody our Company Culture & Success Factors -
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Adaptable – you are a self-starter who’s able to quickly digest and execute new processes to work both collaboratively and independently
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Dynamic – you are solutions-oriented, aim to improve processes and implement efficiency, and offer insightful feedback to improve ESRT
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Dependable – you take a strong sense of ownership and accountability over your work
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Passionate – you keep up with industry trends and are excited about the potential to propel the industry forward with a “roll-up-your-sleeves” attitude
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Curious – you consistently look for new ways to work smarter, not just harder
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Ethical – you treat others with respect, and embrace and contribute to a culture of diversity and inclusion
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Positive – you possess a service-oriented attitude with excellent follow through
BENEFITS
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International Union of Operating Engineers - Local 94 benefits provided per collective bargaining agreement
ESRT is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We celebrate the unique differences of our employees because they drive curiosity, innovation, and the success of our business. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, caregiver status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities.