Building Service Engineer

Salk Institute for Biological Studies; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Transit/parking program

Job summary

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is seeking a Building Service Engineer to operate, maintain, and repair central plant equipment and building systems on site in San Diego. The role involves diagnosing complex issues, using building automation systems, and ensuring safety procedures are followed.

Candidates should have a high school diploma or GED, 2–5 years of relevant experience, HVAC&R trade training, and EPA 608 certification.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1 year of trade school in HVAC&R, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Welding or Building Maintenance preferred.
• 2–5 years of experience in HVAC&R, Electrical, Plumbing, Central Plant Mechanical, or Fabrication and Welding.
• EPA Section 608 Universal Technician Certification required.
• Ability to read construction drawings and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain and repair central plant equipment (boilers, chillers, pumps, etc.).
• Adjust building automation to control space temperatures and energy use.
• Respond to service calls and resolve equipment issues.
• Perform preventative maintenance and inspections.
• Train lower-level staff in technical areas.

Skills

HVAC&R

Building Automation

Electrical

Plumbing

Fabrication & Welding

Reading drawings

Education

High school diploma or GED

EPA Section 608 Universal Technician Certification

Tools

SMAW welding

GMAW welding

FCAW welding

Sheet metal fabrication

Machine shop operations

Job description

Under general supervision, the Building Service Engineer trade classification has responsibilities that support operation, maintenance and repair of HVAC&R; Electrical; Plumbing; Central Plant Mechanical; Fabrication and Welding systems and infrastructure.

Incumbents is responsible for resolving complex technical matters. The incumbent acts using acquired skill and experience, exercising Institute and professionally established safety precautions. Incumbent responds to service calls, performs preventative and corrective maintenance in accordance with scheduled procedures. Trains lower-level employees in various technical areas.

Incumbents is responsible for resolving complex technical matters; must be able to proficiently use building automation systems to diagnose and troubleshoot problems; estimate cost, time and materials for projects; participate in the maintenance and operations of applicable heating and air conditioning systems and equipment; maintain and service tools and equipment used in the performance of duties; perform all work in accordance with established safety procedures and maintain a safe and clean work environment; maintain records and logs; retrieve data related to work; performed using manual and/or computerized record-keeping systems; prepare standard reports; train employees in various technical areas and consult and work with other trades workers. Work may involve exposure to hazardous materials and some positions will require EPA approved certification in refrigerant recovery.

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values all members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline, professional acumen, and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community has many talented individuals from varied backgrounds, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members , the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Operates, maintains and repairs a wide range of central plant equipment including but not limited to: boilers, steam generators, chillers, cooling towers, diesel generators, air compressors, vacuum pumps, water softeners, and reverse osmosis systems.
• Manipulates features of building automation systems to adjust space temperatures and air intake to optimize comfort, while conserving energy; affect building automation programming schedules for the heating and cooling of campus facilities.
• Responds to trouble calls such as: hot and cold calls, equipment alarms, water leaks, clogged drains, electrical power issues, and lighting issues.
• Conducts chemical analyses for water treatment for various systems such as: chillers, cooling towers, boilers, and water softeners.
• Installation, repair, and maintenance of ductwork, fan coil units, air handlers, vacuum pumps and air compressors.
• Installation, repair, and maintenance of lights, switches, receptacles, conduit, Wiremold raceway and batteries.
• Installation, repair, and maintenance of laboratory plumbing utilities, pipes, fittings, and fixtures. Perform preventative maintenance on eyewash stations, emergency showers, and fire extinguishers.
• Performs a variety of routine manual duties as required, such as moving supplies, furniture, equipment, removing trash, scrap material, sweeping and mopping, etc.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

What we Require

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• Training Preferred:
  • 1 year trade school in one of the following trades: HVAC&R / Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Welding, Machining or Building Maintenance.
• Experience Required:
  • These abilities normally would be acquired through 2-5 years of specialized experience in one of the following: HVAC&R, Electrical, Plumbing, Central Plant Mechanical, or Fabrication and Welding.
• Experience Preferred:
• 2 years of experience Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW)
• 2 years of experience Gas metal arc welding (GMAW)
• 2 years of experience Flux cored arc welding (FCAW)
• 2 years of experience in sheet metal fabrication.
• 2 years of experience in machine shop operations.
• Must possess an EPA Section 608 Universal Technician Certification.
• Other skills required:
  • Demonstrated ability to read construction drawings and documentation.
• Certificates, licenses, and registrations required: Must be willing to maintain First Aid/CPR/AED training/certification.
• Satisfactory completion of the post-offer physical required.
• Must be able to use ladders to provide access to work areas and work from heights.

What We Can Offer

The expected pay range for this position is $31.50-$34.50 hourly.

Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits , including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk’s pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym “I CARE” provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.

Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race (race is inclusive of traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. Protective hairstyles include, but not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.

Discrimination is prohibited with any intersectionality of the above-mentioned characteristics, including:

• Any combination of characteristics.
• A perception that the person has any of the characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.
• A perception that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.