Apartment Operations Maintenance Mechanic*

Duke PA; Durham, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University in Durham, NC is seeking an Apartment Operations Maintenance Mechanic to service Central Campus Apartments and related buildings. You will perform maintenance and repair across mechanical and architectural systems, providing guidance to junior staff.

This on-site role requires a background in trades, 1–2 years experience, a valid NC driver's license, and ability to lift up to 50 lbs. The position emphasizes reliability and safety in a busy university housing context.

Qualifications

• Work requires an educational background normally acquired through a partial high school education plus 2 years apprenticeship or trades training.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Perform maintenance, repair, adjustment or replacement of all mechanical systems related to the apartments: stoves, refrigerators, hot water heaters, HVAC units, plumbing, electrical systems, and air conditioning equipment.
• Perform maintenance, repair, adjustment, or replacement of architectural systems: doors, windows, furniture, walls, ceilings, floors, balconies, roofs (emergency situations only) and cabinets.
• Perform preventive maintenance of apartments in preparation for occupancy and routine PM tasks including HVAC filters, drains, and lubrication.
• Perform maintenance on swimming pool equipment and paint interior and exterior surfaces of the apartment complex.
• Perform related duties as assigned to meet department and university goals.

Education

Partial high school education + 2 years apprenticeship or trades training

6 months experience in one skilled craft

High school education + 1 year experience in skilled crafts

Equivalent education and/or experience

Job description

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Apartment Operations Maintenance Mechanic*

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Requisition Number: 272521

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710

Date: Sep 10, 2026

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

Work requires an educational background normally acquired through a partial high school education plus 2 years apprenticeship or trades training.

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

Physical demands associated with this position include, but may not be limited to:

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.

Nearest Major Market:

Durham

Nearest Secondary Market:

Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.