Building Automation Technician

Department: Facilities

Classification: Electronics Technician 2

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

About the Department:

George Mason University Facilities ensures a quality physical environment supporting the mission of the university. We will be the technical and business experts of choice with the total trust and confidence of our students, faculty and staff.

About the Position:

Tired of driving all over the metro area to a new job site each day? Want a work on a beautiful college campus with 677 acres of wooded land? Then start a new job as a State employee of Virginia. We’ve got the work. We have a great team. Now, we need an additional team member to contribute to our busy environment. We want someone who is reliable, takes pride in their work, and will make a noticeable contribution to the educational facilities at George Mason. Your manager can trust that you will get the job done.

George Mason’s Facilities department is committed to providing a safe, functional, and clean community experience at the university. So, what’s in it for you?

Great benefits for you…

• Lots of leave, including paid annual leave, paid holidays, paid sick leave, paid two-week winter break (please note – the break employees often receive during the holiday season is not regularly guaranteed and is subject to annual approval);
• Tuition exemption and professional development;
• Commuter Choice Transit Benefit, which includes a van pool subsidy;
• Virginia Retirement System Hybrid Plan;
• Patriot Perks discounts to restaurants, events, and more;
• Company provided uniforms, tools, and equipment

For you and your family…

• Health/dental/vision benefits; and
• Tuition dependent benefit (restrictions apply).

We think it’s a good gig. Here's what the job looks like....

Responsibilities:

Working a daily shift (M-F, 6:00am - 2:30pm), performs journey level work in the installation, modification, repair and replacement of Mason's DDC (Direct Digital Control) systems and equipment, using necessary safety equipment, hand tools, ladders, and testing equipment. Mason has one Siemens central control system;

Installs, maintains, and monitors computer based DDC control systems. Inspects HVAC systems and controls to determine preventative maintenance schedules or finds needed corrective maintenance repairs and reports findings to the building automation supervisor;

• Performs journeyman level work installing, modifying, maintaining, and repairing system components including, but not limited to: DDC and Energy Management Control systems;
• Performs duties and responsibilities with the focus on departmental, institutional, academic and research goals;
• Inspects equipment to determine preventative, routine and emergency maintenance;
• Maintains equipment according to established schedules and appropriate procedures as indicated by manufacturer specifications and departmental guidelines to minimize unexpected repairs and down time;
• Required to input accurate time and attendance records, work order actions, and, author professional emails;
• Required to work additional hours in the event of an emergency. This may require reporting to work early, staying late, and/or working weekends. Employee is designated as “Essential Personnel.” All essential personnel employees are required to report for snow removal and assist with clearing grounds, roads, pathways, sidewalks or steps; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Must have extensive knowledge of the following systems that the DDC control system controls:
  • Variable frequency drives and the motors they serve;
  • Commercial AC systems and heat pumps;
  • Air handler units utilizing hydronic controls and pumps - VAV's, FCU's, RTU's, ERU's and DOA units;
  • All associated pneumatic controls and equipment in order to maintain environmental conditions;
• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Valid driver's license needed to drive GMU state vehicles; must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator’s license that meets all of GMU’s requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason’s Vehicle Use Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver’s licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable review;
• Substantial experience operating and repairing building automation systems, commercial HVAC hydronic equipment, and/or electronic systems;
• Some course work in HVAC or Industrial Automation is a must;
• Extensive knowledge of HVAC, hydronic systems and associated controls;
• Thorough knowledge of pneumatic, electronic, and electrical controls, DDC systems, and building automation software;
• Knowledge and use of desktop pc’s and laptops used to troubleshoot DDC control systems;
• Working knowledge of how building automation systems work, their purpose, and why they are used for energy management;
• Working knowledge of windows software and MS Office programs;
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot all types of control systems and effectively make repairs and/or changes to control systems to ensure proper operation of these systems;
• Demonstrated ability to read control drawings and blueprints; and
• Ability to use common hand tools to repair, modify, and perform preventative maintenance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Vocational or technical training in related field;
• A completed HVAC apprenticeship with at least 2 completed industrial automation courses;
• Extensive experience repairing and operating commercial HVAC hydronic equipment, electronic systems, or building automation systems;
• Extensive completed course work in HVAC or industrial automation;
• Knowledge to suggest improvements, modify systems, and monitor repairs for efficacy; and
• An extensive knowledge of how an automation system works and its purpose.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Building Automation Technician at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Resume for review. 

Posting Open Date: August 26, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  September 9, 2024

Open Until Filled:  Yes