Apartment Operations Maintenance Mechanic*

Duke University; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, seeks a Maintenance Technician for Central Campus Apartments to perform maintenance and repair across mechanical and architectural systems. You will provide guidance to lower-rated personnel and ensure building systems operate safely and efficiently.

The role includes preventive maintenance, PM tasks, swimming pool equipment care, and painting duties, with a strong emphasis on safety, reliability, and adherence to university standards.

Qualifications

• Educational background as described: partial high school with 2 years apprenticeship or trades training.
• 6 months of experience in one skilled craft.
• High school diploma with 1 year experience in a skilled craft.
• Any equivalent education/experience.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair mechanical systems in apartments (stoves, HVAC, plumbing, electrical).
• Maintain architectural systems (doors, windows, walls, ceilings, floors, cabinets).
• Perform preventive maintenance and occupancy prep.
• Perform routine PM tasks (HVAC filters, drains, lubrication).
• Work on swimming pool equipment.
• Paint interior and exterior apartment surfaces and related areas.

Skills

apprenticeship

trades training

skilled crafts experience

Education

High school + 2 years trades training

Job description

Duke University Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Duke University Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Positional Summary

Perform all maintenance and repair work (major and routine) for all Central Campus Apartments and supportive buildings including Townhouse Apartments and Modular Homes. Provide technical guidance to other lower rated personnel involved in this work.

Key Position Duties

• Perform maintenance, repair, adjustment or replacement of all mechanical systems related to the apartments: items included are stoves; refrigerators; hot water heaters; smoke detectors; disposals; HVAC units; heat pumps; furnaces; plumbing fixtures and lines; electrical systems, bussbars, switches, circuit breakers, outlets, and light fixtures; and air conditioning equipment and lines.
• Perform maintenance, repair, adjustment, or replacement of all architectural systems related to the apartments: items included are doors; windows; furniture; walls; ceilings; floors; balconies; roofs (emergency situations only); and cabinets.
• Perform preventive maintenance (PM) of apartments in preparation for occupancy: tasks include checking, adjusting, and repair of all mechanical and architectural systems in the apartments.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance tasks such as HVAC filter changes, storm drain and sewer clean out, and lubricating, oiling, greasing, and checking mechanical systems.
• Perform maintenance, repair, and operational tasks on swimming pool equipment.
• Paint all interior and exterior surfaces related to the apartment complex, including parking lot striping, curbs, handrails, utility devices, and other painted or stained external units.

Other- 5% of Effort

• Perform related duties as assigned or required to meet departmental, Division and University goals and objectives, as assigned by their Supervisor, Director, or respective designees.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative outline of the type of responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as all-encompassing or as a declaration of all specific duties and responsibilities of this position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Qualifications, Skills, And Competencies

Required Minimum Qualification

• Minimum Education
• Work requires an educational background normally acquired through a partial high school education plus 2 years apprenticeship or trades training.
• Minimum Experience
• Work requires a knowledge apartment mechanical and architectural systems normally acquired through 6 months of experience in one of the skilled crafts.
• OR Work requires a high school education plus 1 year experience in at least one of the skilled crafts such as carpentry, electrical, plumbing, etc.
• OR ANY OTHER EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

All Local 465 positions require a valid North Carolina Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain one.

Physical Demands

• Ability to move throughout residential buildings,
• Moving heavy weighted materials and equipment (up to 50 lbs)
• Self-movement/positioning oneself in order to inspect and conduct repairs of various areas.
• Push and pull movements of equipment.
• Potential transport and stock of assigned supplies and materials

Must be able to complete all positional requirements outlined above with or without reasonable accommodations. For more information, please visit https://hr.duke.edu/policies/ada/

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.