Human Resources

Summary

Building mechanic positions at Michigan Technological University ensure safe, efficient operation and maintenance of campus buildings and systems, creating a secure, comfortable environment for students, faculty, and staff. This is a training position, intended to provide on-the-job learning for applicants who meet the qualifications of a Building Mechanic I.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

•Routine custodial, maintenance, and repair services in campus buildings to ensure a clean, safe, and functional environment.
•Daily checks of building conditions including, but not limited to inspecting the status of doors, snow and walkway conditions, elevators, electrical and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, temperature control units, water systems, and steam systems to ensure proper function.
•Weekly checks of various building systems including, but not limited to, lighting systems, storm & sanitary systems, HVAC systems, chemical treatment processes, emergency generators, & fire protection systems to ensure reliability, safety, & regulatory compliance.
•Monthly checks of various building components & equipment including, but not limited to reading utility meters, reviewing elevator maintenance logs, testing emergency eyewash/safety shower functionality, inspecting fire extinguishers and fire alarm systems, organizing and cleaning of mechanical/electrical areas, and auditing spare parts inventories to ensure operational efficiency, safety, & regulatory compliance.
•Preventative maintenance in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations including but not limited to maintaining accurate records of maintenance activities.
•Provide initial response for facility-related emergencies including, but not limited to building system alarms, building security/fire system alarms, power outages, and elevator faults.
•Monitor building systems and alarms via a network terminal, computer or mobile device/application.
•Provide initial response when following up on reports of nuisance odors, water leaks, tripped breakers, plugged drains, and similar accounts.
•Functional supervision over seasonal, temporary, and student employees.
•Custodial duties as assigned including cleaning and maintaining conference rooms, hallways, lobbies, lounges, restrooms, offices, laboratories, stairwells and other assigned areas.
•Intermediate troubleshooting and maintenance tasks associated with building HVAC services. 
•Intermediate troubleshooting and maintenance tasks related to building electrical services including but not limited to replacing lighting fixtures and replacing in-kind electrical components such as exhaust fans, motors, actuators, and similar devices.
•Intermediate troubleshooting and maintenance tasks associated with building plumbing systems including, but not limited to augering drains, patching/repairing leaks in PVC and copper piping. Utilize a pro-press for small diameter piping repairs.
•Intermediate troubleshooting and maintenance tasks associated with building structural elements, fixtures, and finishes.
•Participate in training programs and assist fellow building mechanics and licensed tradespersons with assessing, diagnosing, repairing, and restoring building systems.
•Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
•Demonstrate a basic ability to read and interpret blueprints, sketches, schematic diagrams, and instruction manuals in order to assess and troubleshoot simple systems, circuits, and networks.
•Contribute to a safe working environment by following best practices and safe work procedures, wearing assigned personal protective equipment, completing safety training as assigned, and actively participating in the development of safe work procedures.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

•High School diploma, or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired.
•Valid driver’s license and meet Michigan Technological University’s vehicle use requirements.

Required Experience

•2 years experience in building operation and maintenance including the implementation of routine inspections, preventive and reactive maintenance strategies, and routine repairs as follows:
•Basic understanding of and experience maintaining building HVAC, electrical, mechanical, architectural, and water systems.
•Basic understanding of and experience conducting operational inspections of doors and hardware, elevators, mechanical equipment, water valves and drain systems, and environmental controls.
•Basic understanding of & experience conducting weekly and monthly inspections of lighting, roof drains, cooling systems, chemical treatment systems, generators, fire suppression systems, utility meters, elevators, and plumbing systems.
•Basic understanding of & experience repairing common items like lights, ballasts, receptacles, switches, pipe insulation, thermostats, plumbing fixtures, gaskets, doors, windows, furniture repairs, ceiling tile/track, hardware, and clocks.
•1 year experience working with the general public and/or internal customers.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

•Experience maintaining a variety of floor surfaces using auto-scrubbers, burnishers, buffers, carpet extraction vacuums, and other commercial cleaning equipment.
•Experience troubleshooting, maintaining, and performing minor repairs on custodial equipment.
•Experience troubleshooting and maintaining building HVAC systems including diagnosing electrical and mechanical malfunctions, repairing issues with electrical components, motors, refrigerants, and airflow, and diagnosing problems and components such as steam traps, coils, compressors, controls, and ductwork.
•Experience troubleshooting and maintaining building electrical services including replacing lighting fixtures and replacing in-kind electrical components such as exhaust fans, motors, actuators, and similar devices.
•Experience augering drains, patching/repairing water leaks in PVC and copper piping and utilizing a pro-press for small diameter piping repairs.
•Experience troubleshooting and maintaining building structural elements, fixtures, and finishes including repairing various floors and ceilings; installation and repairing of various doors, trim, locksets, windows and window coverings.
•Experience troubleshooting and maintaining building steam systems, refrigeration systems, and fire suppression systems.
•Success in, or potential future contributions to, working with people with a wide variety of backgrounds and viewpoints.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

•Ability to perform general maintenance tasks, including adjusting/replacing belts, greasing bearings, and changing filters. The use of ladders will be required to perform some of these tasks.
•Ability to troubleshoot and maintain a variety of building systems including but not limited to electrical services, water systems, and commercial/industrial building HVAC systems.
•Ability to work from general assignment and proceed with minimum supervision or direction from others.
•Ability to troubleshoot and maintain a variety of building equipment including, but not limited to pumps, electrical motors, valves, and similar equipment and fixtures.
•Ability to perform basic carpentry skills, including woodwork, trim work, rough framing, and drywall hanging/finishing.
•Ability to adapt to frequently changing work environments, conditions, and work schedules.
•Ability to operate computers, portable electronic devices, and their related applications including login procedures, electronic mail, and text messages.
•Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to independently organize and prioritize work assignments.
•Demonstrated understanding of safe operating and maintenance procedures.
•Ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries and work harmoniously with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff.
•Ability to read and work from blueprints, sketches, schematic drawings, and maintenance manuals.
•Ability to use the work order related software to process and create work orders for customers.
•Ability to contribute to a safe work environment by integrating safety practices into daily activities.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

•Excellent interpersonal, customer service and oral/written communication skills.
•Familiarity with maintenance management software and electronic work request ticketing system.
•Ability to repair lights, ballasts, fuses, plumbing fixtures, doors, windows, furniture repairs, ceiling tile/track, hardware, and clocks.
•Certification in First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
•Possession of Level 1 or Level 2 Certifications from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration in General Safety and Health, Safety and Health Management Systems, and Occupational Health.
•Broad knowledge of applied trade practices, techniques, and applicable rules and codes.
Prior safety training in any of the following:
•Ladder Use
•Material Handling
•Scaffold Use
•Bloodborne Pathogens
•Hazardous Substance Spill Awareness
•Personal Protective Equipment
•Hazardous Waste Disposal
•Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons with a wide variety of backgrounds and viewpoints.

Language, Mathematics and/or Reasoning Skills

Language Skills:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to complete routine reports. Ability to effectively present information in 1-on-1 situations to customers or employees.
Mathematical Skills:
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of problems in standardized situations. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions in mathematical, diagram, written or oral form.
•Proven understanding of safe operating and maintenance procedures.
•Excellent work attendance record.
•Good physical condition to enable safe, efficient, and sanitary performance of work, with or without accommodation.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following training courses:
•Employee Safety Overview
•Annual Data Security Training
•Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
•Annual Title IX Training
Required Departmental Training:
•General Safety Awareness
•Hazard Communication
•Bloodborne Pathogens
Additional training will be required by the department on a periodic basis.
Background Check:
Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

1.0

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Appointment Term

12 months

Shift

1st Shift

Pay Rate/Salary

Contractual. Internal candidates will receive the minimum amount ($20.65/hr).

Title of Position Supervisor

Facilities Manager

Posting Type

Dependent on Funding

Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)

AFSCME Posting 10/13/2026 - 10/20/2026
External applicants are encouraged to apply, however internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates.