Building Automation Technician

University of North Dakota; Grand Forks (ND); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university is seeking a technician for installing and maintaining building automation systems. The role involves working with HVAC, security, and mechanical systems, providing technical support, and ensuring system efficiency. Strong knowledge of electronic controls and programming is essential.

Qualifications

• Three years of related work experience required.
• Experience with building automation systems is highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Install, retrofit, and maintain building automation systems.
• Provide technical support and training to operators and technicians.
• Evaluate HVAC systems for troubleshooting and maintenance.

Skills

Communication

Networking

Computer Programming

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Associate degree in electronics

Tools

Microsoft Office

Honeywell Comfort Point

Johnson Controls Metasys

Job description

Salary/Position Classification

• 55,000+ Annual, Dependent on Experience, Non-Exempt (Eligible for overtime)
• 40 hours per week
• 100% Remote Work Availability: No
• Hybrid Work Availability (requires some time on campus): No

Purpose of Position

This is a technician position, which is necessary for installing, retrofitting, and maintaining the campus building automation systems. Campus automation is provided for heating, Ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, security systems, elevators, fire alarm systems, and other mechanical systems. This requires analyzing mechanical and electronic equipment as it relates to control by the building automation systems. Maintaining appropriate documents, database files, archives, and as-built drawings according to standards. Ordering related parts and equipment, as related to the repair and maintenance of systems. Providing technical support and training to operators and technicians. Supervising student staff and/ or temporary help. This position also provides backup support for the central automation servers and workstations. This is an on-call position and is subject to 24-hour call-backs on a rotational schedule.

This position requires an electronic technician who has a well-versed knowledge of electronic controls, computer systems, operating systems, and application programs. Experience with building automation systems is highly desired. In addition, strong knowledge of electronic components, DDC controllers, programmable logic controllers, and sensors is needed. General knowledge of mechanical system operation of air handling units, steam heat exchangers, boilers, chillers, cooling towers, direct expansion cooling units, and other associated mechanical equipment is desired to evaluate the use of the automation system. Computer programming knowledge is required to evaluate how the electronic hardware controls the mechanical equipment. Networking knowledge is preferred to understand how the building controllers communicate with each other and back to the UND BAS (Building Automation System) front-end.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Building Automation and Controls Field Maintenance and Installation Install, retrofit, and maintain the campus building automation systems (including pulling of wire).
• Perform daily maintenance and scheduled preventive maintenance for HVAC sensors, pressure switches, transducers, steam pressures transmitters, totalizers, and other various automation sensors and devices.
• Evaluate HVAC systems and other systems controlled by the automation for the purpose of troubleshooting the automation programs interface with the mechanical equipment.
• Install, maintain, and troubleshoot automation communications plant (copper, fiber & Ethernet), controller bus communications, DDC controllers, programmable logic controllers, and all automation controllers.
• Install, maintain, and troubleshoot surge suppression and battery backup systems to protect electronic equipment for low voltages and coordinate this work with the Electricians for high voltages.
• Coordinate projects and maintenance with university departments and trades.
• Use computers, software, oscilloscopes, meters, and other test equipment to analyze the automation system.
• Ordering associated with automation parts and stock items.
• Maintain building automation installation/ maintenance policies and standards.
• Create, maintain, and review archives and as-built drawings according to standards.
• Provide technical support to other areas within the department.
• Train and assist other department staffs who use automation.
• Downloading and Programming Program fire security and HVAC controls to be installed in PLCs (programmable logic controllers) and other systems for the purpose of control, monitoring, and energy management.
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and correct programming items for mechanical building controls, system monitoring, and energy management.
• Evaluate HVAC systems and other systems controlled by the automation for the purpose of troubleshooting the automation programs interface with the mechanical equipment.
• Relay programming information in general terms to other departmental units within Facilities Management who use the automation systems to control equipment.
• Download and install programs for the purpose of control, monitoring, and energy management.
• Maintain programming databases according to set procedures.
• Create and maintain proper documentation and as-builts according to standards.
• Create, edit, update, and maintain information databases.
• Edit programs for the addition and changes of descriptors, point offset values, alarm limits, and alarm priority.
• Commission and review internal and external automation projects.
• Building Automation & Controls Front- End Equipment Maintenance and Installation
• Coordinate automation functionality with other departmental units Facilities Management and work with technicians and operators in those areas (Building Automation & Controls, Operations Center, Systems, Electricians, Plumbers, etc.) to facilitate the use and understanding of the campus automation system.
• Install, upgrade, maintain, and perform preventive maintenance of building automation front-end equipment.
• Provide building automation monitoring, assistance, and technical support.
• Review alarm summary logs and additional system reports and follow-up accordingly for each report.
• Create, supervise, and review the creation of graphic displays, schematics, and browser screens.
• Perform routine backups of automation databases according to set policy and provide for disaster recovery.
• Install servers, automation point servers, and bus communications hardware for automation systems.
• Install network cards and network clients for automation computers and troubleshoot for automation systems.
• Train other department staff that use automation.
• Order associated automation parts and stock items.
• Create, maintain, and review database, archives, and as-built drawings according to standards.
• Energy Management Evaluate, manage, and enter system time programs according to policies.
• Assist with writing, implementing, and maintaining of energy management programs.
• Assist with managing daily electrical load demands and electrical co-generation.
• Automating equipment for the purpose of cost efficiency and more efficient use of equipment.
• Assist with conducting energy evaluations and cost analysis.

Required Competencies

• Requires the ability to interact, communicate, and deal with students, faculty, staff, and co-workers.
• Requires working knowledge of personal computers and good typing skills.
• Requires working knowledge of computer operating systems and applications.
• Requires knowledge of networking principles.
• Requires experience with Microsoft Office, specifically Word and Excel.
• Requires the ability to read computer programs to interpret sequences of operation for the equipment that is controlled.
• Requires experience installing, retrofitting, and maintaining building automation systems as per written and/ or verbal directives and per blueprints/ schematics.
• Require knowledge of meters and other test equipment to analyze the automation system.

Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma/ GED
• Associate degree in electronics or trade school, or one year directly related experience
• Three years of related work experience
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identityand eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working withHoneywell Comfort Point, Honeywell Care, Johnson Controls Metasys, or MS Vizio
• Supervisory experience, not required, but preferred for possible supervision of students and/or temporary workers
• Familiar with UND campus