Assistant Chief Engineer

ZipRecruiter; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in Atlanta is seeking an Assistant Chief Engineer responsible for the maintenance and operation of building systems. This hands-on role requires expertise in HVAC and electrical systems, along with strong management skills. The ideal candidate will have at least 8 years of experience in building maintenance and a high school diploma or GED. This is an on-site position, and the candidate will also supervise personnel and manage projects related to building operations.

Qualifications

• At least 8 years of experience in building maintenance.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Trade school degree may credit up to two years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on maintenance of building systems.
• Conduct preventative maintenance and repairs on HVAC and electrical systems.
• Supervise personnel and manage projects.

Skills

Teamwork

Customer Service

Communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Trade School Degree in HVAC or Electronics

Tools

HVAC Systems

Electrical Systems

Life Safety Systems

Job description

Job Description

About Cousins Properties:

Headquartered in Atlanta, Cousins is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT). Cousins has a simple, compelling strategy: Premier urban Sun Belt office portfolio, disciplined about capital allocation, best-in-class balance sheet, with strong local operating platforms. Acting through its operating partnership, Cousins Properties LP, primarily invests in Class A office buildings located in high-growth Sun Belt markets. Cousins Properties (NYSE: CUZ) develops, owns, and manages a 20 million square foot trophy office portfolio in the high-growth Sun Belt markets of Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Dallas, Nashville, Tampa, and Phoenix.

Founded in 1958, Cousins creates shareholder value through its extensive expertise in the development, acquisition, leasing, and management of high-quality real estate assets. The Company has a comprehensive strategy based on a simple platform, trophy assets, and opportunistic investments. For more information, please visit www.cousins.com.

Job Summary:

The Assistant Chief Engineer is responsible for hands-on maintenance of building systems for the safe, efficient, and proper operation of assigned properties. This role performs repairs, assists in the operation, monitoring, and performance of preventative maintenance and project administration on building systems, and performs selected management duties as assigned. In the absence of the Chief Engineer, this role will perform all the duties required of the Chief Engineer on a short-term basis.

This position is located in Atlanta, GA. It is an on-site position. This is not a remote or hybrid role.

Responsibilities:

Electrical Systems:

• Understand A.C. circuits and safety procedures.
• Troubleshoot and find short circuits or ground issues in single or three-phase A.C. circuits.
• Replace outlets, switches, lighting ballasts, circuit breakers, and motor control starters.

HVAC Systems:

• Understand the refrigeration cycle. Must have passed the test for a universal CFC license.
• Conduct preventative maintenance of air handling units.
• Respond to HVAC calls and make repairs or adjustments as needed.
• Test and adjust chemical treatment levels in water systems.
• Perform daily inspections on chillers, make adjustments as necessary, and record findings.
• Replace belts, motors, bearings, actuators, and valves on air handling units and cooling towers.
• Adjust pneumatic or DDC controllers and actuators for proper operation.
• Adjust set points, startup, and temperature on building energy management systems.
• Troubleshoot power induction units (PIU) or Fan Powered Terminal Units (FPIU).
• Balance pumping systems.

Life Safety Systems:

• Understand the operation of the property’s life safety systems.
• Respond to fire alarm and trouble calls; enable and disable points properly.
• Conduct weekly inspections of Emergency Generator and Fire Pump; record results and recommend outside service as needed.

Miscellaneous Systems:

• Repair and replace door closures, hardware, and operators.
• Adjust and repair security systems.
• Understand mechanical drawings and wiring diagrams.

Management Responsibilities:

• Maximize performance and develop the professional abilities of assigned personnel. May supervise one or more employees.
• Assist with interviewing candidates for engineering positions.
• Counsel subordinates and record disciplinary actions.
• Administer projects, including proposals, scope of work, bidding, overseeing contracts, and project closeout.
• Prepare engineering budgets for utilities, repairs, maintenance, and capital improvements.
• Monitor budget variances and report findings.
• Prepare reports and present to management.
• Manage and execute the preventive maintenance program.
• Supervise vendors and contractors.
• Assist Property Management as required.

Miscellaneous Responsibilities:

• Be available for after-hours and weekend emergency calls, with 24/7 readiness.
• Coordinate PTO schedules with the Chief Engineer.
• Perform remedial tasks such as painting, cleaning, and unclogging drains.
• Assist in overseeing maintenance practices according to standards and manuals.
• Lead teams and oversee projects as delegated.
• Perform duties of other Engineers in their absence.
• Review and inspect work performed by less experienced Engineers.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the job and are not an all-inclusive list of responsibilities.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• At least 8 years of experience in building maintenance.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Ability to work well with others and interface positively with customers.
• Specialized training in tools and building equipment.
• Trade school degree in HVAC, electronics, or related field may credit up to two years of experience.
• Knowledge of heavy equipment operation (chillers, generators, switchgear, pumps, air handling units).
• Basic PC skills for creating spreadsheets, memos, and emails.
• Union training and certification accepted.
• Knowledge of safety tools and procedures.
• Experience in team project assignment, teaching, and responsibility acceptance.
• Responsiveness, integrity, customer service, and communication skills.

Physical Demands:

• Stand and move for up to 4 hours.
• Bend, stoop, squat, and stretch for maintenance tasks.
• Lift up to 50 lbs regularly.
• Capable of grasping, writing, standing, sitting, walking, and other physical activities.

Cousins is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and aptitude. The company does not discriminate based on various protected characteristics.