Facilities Engineer

Socket.dev; Mount Vernon (VA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b) Retirement plan

On-site Parking

Health, Vision, and Dental insurance

Paid leave

Job summary

Mount Vernon Ladies' Association seeks a Facilities Engineer to maintain and repair HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire/life safety, and mechanical systems across the Estate, ensuring safe operations for staff and guests.

The role requires hands-on, independent work in a historic site with modern systems, offering a daytime schedule with occasional evenings/weekends; OSHA 10 preferred; 3–5 years experience; high school diploma required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical certification, trade school training, or associate degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in building engineering, facilities maintenance, or related field.
• Working knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and general building maintenance; licensing preferred.
• Experience with BAS preferred.
• Ability to read blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings, weekends, or respond to emergencies as needed.
• Appreciation for historic preservation and working within a mission-driven organization.
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, inspect, and repair building systems including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire/life safety, and mechanical systems.
• Perform preventive maintenance and respond to work orders and emergency maintenance issues.
• Troubleshoot and resolve system failures while minimizing impact on historic structures and public operations.
• Monitor building automation systems and adjust for efficiency and comfort.
• Conduct regular inspections of buildings and equipment to identify maintenance needs and safety concerns.
• Coordinate with outside contractors and vendors, including oversight of onsite work.
• Maintain accurate maintenance logs, service records, and compliance documentation.
• Support special events and high-traffic periods by ensuring building systems operate reliably.
• Follow safety protocols and preservation guidelines for historic site.
• Collaborate with Facilities, Preservation, Collections, and Operations & Maintenance teams to support Estate-wide needs.

Skills

HVAC knowledge

Electrical systems

Plumbing

BAS (Building Automation Systems)

Read blueprints

Troubleshooting

Independent worker

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical certification / trade school / associate degree preferred

Tools

Building Automation Systems (BAS)

Job description

Facilities Engineer

Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Position Overview

George Washington's Mount Vernon is seeking a skilled and dependable Facilities Engineer to help maintain and protect one of the nation's most significant historic landmarks. This role is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of building systems across the Estate, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable facilities for staff, visitors, and guests. The ideal candidate is hand-on, solutions-oriented, and comfortable working in a unique environment where modern building systems must coexist with historic structures. This is an essential role supporting Mount Vernon's mission to preserve the Estate while welcoming more than one million visitors annually.

Compensation

$34.00 to $42.25 / hour. The anticipated starting salary for this position will be determined based on the selected candidate's relevant experience, education, skills, certifications, and internal equity, in accordance with applicable law.

Expected Hours

7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with occasional weekends

Essential Duties

• Operate, maintain, inspect, and repair building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire/life safety, and mechanical systems.
• Perform preventive maintenance and respond promptly to work orders and emergency maintenance issues.
• Troubleshoot and resolve system failures while minimizing impact on historic structures and public operations.
• Monitor building automation systems and make necessary adjustments for efficiency and comfort.
• Conduct regular inspections of buildings and equipment to identify maintenance needs and safety concerns.
• Coordinate with outside contractors and vendors, including oversight of work performed onsite.
• Maintain accurate maintenance logs, service records, and compliance documentation.
• Support special events and high-traffic periods by ensuring building systems operate reliably.
• Follow all safety protocols and preservation guidelines specific to a historic site.
• Collaborate with Facilities, Preservation, Collections, and Operations & Maintenance teams to support Estate-wide needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical certification, trade school training, or associate degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in building engineering, facilities maintenance, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of HVAC systems, electrical systems, plumbing, and general building maintenance. Licensing preferred.
• Experience with building automation systems (BAS) preferred.
• Ability to read blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings, weekends, or respond to emergency call-ins as needed.
• Appreciation for historic preservation and working within a mission-driven organization is highly valued.
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30, preferred.

Work Environment

• This position is primarily onsite and based throughout Mount Vernon's historic Estate and support buildings.
• Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions.
• The environment includes active public spaces with high visitor volume, as well as behind-the-scenes operational areas.
• The role may involve exposure to mechanical rooms, rooftops, confined spaces, and varying noise levels.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, climb stairs and ladders, bend, kneel, and crouch for extended periods.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate tools and perform repairs.
• Ability to work in tight or elevated spaces and tolerate temperature extremes.
• Visual and auditory ability to safely operate equipment and respond to alarms and system alerts.

Benefits

• 403(b) Retirement plan with employer matching
• Employee recognition at 5 years of service
• Employee referral program
• On-site Library
• Employee Discounts
• Free Parking
• Health, Vision, and Dental insurance
• Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance
• Paid leave for sick time, vacation, and Holidays
• Flexible spending account for medical care

The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to building and retaining a team that represents a variety of skills, experiences, and perspectives. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, performance, and qualifications without regard to race, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, gender/sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, veteran and military status, family or parental status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.