Assistant Director of Building Services & Senior Chief Engineer

ADP, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 140,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Akridge seeks an Assistant Director of Building Services & Senior Chief Engineer to lead preventive maintenance, diagnose HVAC and electrical issues, and supervise junior technicians. Based at 601 13th St NW, Washington, DC, the role emphasizes tenant comfort and safety compliance.

You will coordinate with property management, contractors, and vendors, oversee BAS/BMS operations, and guide capital projects while maintaining records. A DC 3rd license and strong HVAC background are required.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in commercial HVAC maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting.
• DC 3rd license.
• Demonstrated experience maintaining HVAC systems in commercial buildings, office towers, or other large-scale facilities.
• Knowledge of BAS, DDC, and HVAC control systems.

Responsibilities

• Operate, inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair commercial HVAC systems and associated building equipment.
• Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on AHUs, RTUs, chillers, boilers, pumps, and BAS components.
• Conduct routine mechanical-room and building inspections to identify deficiencies and potential failures.
• Diagnose HVAC, electrical, mechanical, refrigeration, and controls problems using diagnostic tools.
• Monitor BAS/BMS systems and adjust operating parameters to optimize energy performance.
• Maintain preventive maintenance records, work orders, and service documentation.

Skills

HVAC maintenance

Troubleshooting

Electrical systems

Building management systems

Mentoring

Education

High school diploma

Tools

VRF

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Assistant Director of Building Services & Senior Chief Engineer

601 13th St NW, Washington, DC, US

Salary Range: $140,000.00 To $150,000.00 Annually

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director of Building Services & Senior Chief Engineer performs advanced preventive and corrective maintenance, diagnoses complex mechanical and electrical issues, monitors building automation systems, coordinates with contractors and vendors, and provides technical guidance to junior maintenance personnel. This position serves as a senior technical resource for building operations and is responsible for maintaining critical HVAC equipment, supporting tenant comfort, minimizing equipment downtime, and ensuring properties operate in accordance with company standards, manufacturer requirements, and applicable safety codes

Position Responsibilities:

• Operate, inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair commercial HVAC systems and associated building equipment.
• Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on:
  • Air handling units (AHUs)
  • Rooftop units (RTUs)
  • Chillers and cooling towers
  • Boilers and heating systems
  • Pumps, motors, and variable frequency drives (VFDs)
  • Exhaust and ventilation systems
  • Fan coil units and terminal units
  • Refrigeration equipment
  • Pneumatic and electronic controls
  • Building automation/management systems (BAS/BMS)
• Conduct routine mechanical-room and building inspections to identify equipment deficiencies and potential failures before they affect building operations.
• Diagnose complex HVAC, electrical, mechanical, refrigeration, and controls problems using appropriate testing instruments and diagnostic procedures.
• Monitor building automation systems and adjust HVAC operating parameters to maintain tenant comfort and optimize energy performance.
• Respond to HVAC-related emergencies, equipment failures, tenant service requests, and after-hours calls as required.
• Perform equipment start-ups, shutdowns, operational testing, and seasonal changeovers.
• Maintain accurate preventive maintenance records, work orders, equipment logs, inspection reports, and service documentation.
• Review equipment performance and recommend repairs, replacements, upgrades, or energy-efficiency improvements.
• Coordinate with property management, facility management, engineering staff, tenants, contractors, and service vendors.
• Assist with contractor oversight, including reviewing work, verifying completion, and ensuring work is performed safely and according to specifications.
• Maintain appropriate levels of HVAC parts, filters, refrigerants, tools, and maintenance supplies.
• Support capital improvement projects, equipment replacements, renovations, and building-system upgrades.
• Maintain compliance with applicable OSHA requirements, building codes, environmental regulations, and company safety procedures.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe mechanical rooms, equipment areas, and workspaces.
• Provide technical guidance, training, and assistance to junior maintenance technicians.
• Prioritize maintenance activities based on equipment criticality, tenant needs, safety, and business impact.
• Perform general building maintenance duties as needed to support overall property operations.
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, energy efficiency, operating costs, and asset life.
• Assist property management with technical assessments, repair recommendations, and budgeting for HVAC-related capital expenditures.
• Work with property managers and facility teams to minimize disruption to building occupants during maintenance and repair activities.
• Support emergency preparedness and building response procedures for HVAC and mechanical-system failures.
• Serve as a subject-matter resource for commercial HVAC systems and building mechanical operations.
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to maintenance technicians and building engineers.
• Review troubleshooting approaches and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Assist in developing preventive maintenance procedures and improving maintenance programs.
• Help evaluate recurring equipment problems and identify root causes.
• Provide input regarding equipment replacement, modernization, energy conservation, and operational improvements.
• Assist management in evaluating contractor performance and technical recommendations.

Position Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in commercial HVAC maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting.
• DC 3 rd license
• Demonstrated experience maintaining HVAC systems in commercial buildings, office towers, or other large-scale facilities.
• Experience performing preventive maintenance, diagnosing equipment issues, and coordinating HVAC repairs.
• Experience providing technical guidance or mentoring to junior HVAC technicians preferred.
• Experience with VRF.
• Comprehensive knowledge of commercial HVAC systems, including:
• Chillers, boilers, cooling towers, and pumps.
• Air-handling units, rooftop units, and variable air volume (VAV) systems.
• Split systems, package units, and exhaust systems.
• Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning controls.
• Strong understanding of refrigeration principles, thermodynamics, and HVAC system operation.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, wiring diagrams, equipment manuals, and control sequences.
• Proficiency in electrical and mechanical troubleshooting, including the use of diagnostic tools and test equipment.
• Knowledge of building automation systems (BAS), direct digital controls (DDC), and HVAC control systems.
• Ability to identify equipment deficiencies, determine root causes, and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Ability to perform preventive and predictive maintenance on HVAC equipment.
• Knowledge of energy-efficient HVAC operation and opportunities for system optimization.
• Knowledge of OSHA requirements, applicable safety regulations, and safe work practices related to HVAC and building maintenance.
• Understanding of refrigerant-handling regulations, environmental requirements, and proper refrigerant recovery and disposal procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively with building management, clients, tenants, coworkers, contractors, and vendors.
• Demonstrated ability to provide professional, responsive, and courteous customer service.
• Ability to explain technical issues, repair recommendations, and equipment conditions clearly to both technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize work orders and respond to urgent maintenance needs.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of an engineering team.

If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an application, please e-mail [e-mail] or call [phone]. Akridge believes that diversity and inclusivity are essential to positive long-term success and achieving our strategic business goals. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we encourage diverse and talented applicants to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.