General Maintenance Technician II

APPA - Leadership in Educational Facilities; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 34,440 - 37,195; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits

Tuition remission for employees

Job summary

APPA - Leadership in Educational Facilities is seeking a General Maintenance Technician II in Tacoma, WA. The role covers general maintenance, preventative tasks, and basic repairs across campus under the Chief of Maintenance, helping reduce work-order backlogs and keeping facilities safe and operational.

The position requires hands-on, multi-trade skills, a valid WA driver’s license, and the ability to pursue a Class IV Boiler Fireman certification within 18 months with company support.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Minimum 1 year of work experience in building maintenance or similar mechanical craft.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license (2+ years).
• Ability to obtain Class IV Boiler Fireman certification within 18 months (PLU-funded).

Responsibilities

• Address daily general maintenance service requests (ceiling tiles, light bulbs, plumbing, carpentry).
• Assist Building Engineers with boiler checks and annual inspections prep.
• Support preventative maintenance with filters, belts, and lubrication tasks.
• Respond to elevator issues and coordinate with external contractors for repairs.
• Monitor sprinkler systems, assist fire alarm checks, and reset alarms in emergencies.
• Escort inspectors during annual inspections.
• Maintain pool chemical balance.
• Secure buildings and door hardware, replace lock cores as needed.
• Adjust heating/cooling systems and respond to routine issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Building maintenance

Electrical

Plumbing

Mechanical trades

Tools familiarity

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Multimeter

Scaffolding

Ladders

Safety harnesses

Boiler equipment knowledge

Job description

Posting Number: 0603109

Recruitment Type: Open to All Applicants

Position Title: General Maintenance Technician II

Position Type: Staff

Benefits Status: Benefits Eligible

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Hiring Range: $25.00-$27.00 per hour, plus excellent benefits.

Location: Tacoma, WA 98447.

Department: Facilities Management

Posting Date: 07/27/2026

Closing Date: When a sufficient number of qualified applicants have been identified.

Work Schedule: M-F, 7am-4pm.

Overtime is occasionally required, and vacation approval may be limited during peak activity periods. Must participate in the rotating after-hours on-call schedule to provide coverage for emergencies.

General Description:

The main purpose of this job is to perform general facilities maintenance, preventative maintenance, and basic repairs across campus under the supervision of the Chief of Maintenance. The position exists to address the high volume of daily service requests (such as ceiling tiles, light bulbs, and basic plumbing/carpentry) and to assist building engineers with air intake, exhaust, and boiler systems. This role contributes significantly to PLU by reducing open work-order backlogs, keeping buildings safe and operational, and allowing senior licensed engineers to focus on complex utility systems and regulatory compliance.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Address daily general maintenance service requests, including replacing ceiling tiles, light bulbs, ballasts, and completing minor plumbing and carpentry repairs.
• Assist Building Engineers with routine boiler checks, water testing, and preparing equipment for annual pressure vessel inspections.
• Assist the Preventative Maintenance Technician with changing air filters, lubricating motors and fans, and adjusting or replacing belts.
• Perform minor troubleshooting on building elevators and respond to emergency calls for stuck elevators, coordinating with external elevator contractors when necessary.
• Monitor wet and dry fire sprinkler systems weekly, assist with fire alarm checks, and perform emergency resetting of alarm pull-boxes.
• Escort building equipment inspectors (elevator, boiler, fire department, insurance) during annual inspections.
• Monitor and maintain chemical balance in the campus swimming pool.
• Secure buildings having door/lock problems, replace lock cores, and make minor repairs to door hardware.
• Respond to calls for temperature adjustments or routine problems with heating or cooling systems.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge: General knowledge of building maintenance practices across electrical, plumbing, and mechanical trades; familiarity with standard hand and power tools.
• Technical Skills: Skill in basic troubleshooting and minor electrical/plumbing repairs; proficiency using a multimeter to test for voltage and amperage.
• Operational Skills: Ability to use scaffolding, ladders, safety harnesses, and operate high lifts (training provided).
• Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written) to interact effectively with coworkers and campus customers.
• Autonomy: Ability to prioritize work, organize tasks, make decisions, and work independently without close supervision.
• Stress Management: Ability to remain calm and systematic during stressful emergency situations.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of 1 year of work experience in building maintenance, general construction, or a similar mechanical craft.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license (must have held for at least 2 years).
• Mechanically inclined with a strong aptitude for hands‑on, multi‑trade troubleshooting.
• Selected candidates must demonstrate the ability to obtain a Class IV Boiler Fireman certification within 18 months of employment. PLU will fully fund and support this development through one of two straightforward pathways.
  • Renton Technical College’s 4-Week Online Course: An approved, $1,000 certification course that requires no prior boiler experience.
  • Seattle’s Online Testing Program: Available once the employee has accumulated 1 year of practical, on‑the‑job experience at PLU.
• Finalist applicants must satisfactorily complete pre‑employment background checks, including a driving abstract check, and pass PLU’s Driver’s Certification Training.

Preferred Qualifications:

• General computer knowledge and technology literacy.
• A Washington State Class IV Boiler Fireman license is preferred but not required at the time of hire.

Work Conditions:

• Work conditions vary considerably; employee may often be exposed to hot, dry, and dusty conditions or sometimes to cold, wet, and/or humid conditions.
• Work is often around heavy equipment with large, awkward tools.
• Employee may occasionally work in high, precarious places.
• Employee may be exposed to hazardous conditions (confined spaces, electrical, mechanical systems).
• Overtime is occasionally required, and vacation approval may be limited during peak activity periods.
• Must participate in the rotating after-hours on-call schedule to provide coverage for emergencies.

Physical Requirements:

• The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and may occasionally be required to climb, balance, or work in cramped areas.
• The employee must be able to bend, reach, stoop, and kneel while working in a variety of areas.
• Requires good physical strength; must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds unassisted.
• Good hearing and vision are required.

Other Information:

PLU is a small, private university where caring means more than kindness and consideration — it means a bold commitment to expanding well‑being, opportunity, and justice. Because PLU is a community committed to the creation and advancement of knowledge through diversity and inclusion, the university actively recruits a diverse faculty, staff, and student body. PLU is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from members of historically underrepresented and minoritized groups, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and others who would bring broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities.

PLU offers an excellent benefits package including tuition remission for employees and their dependents, generous retirement plan, medical, dental, paid vacation and sick leave, major holidays off (including Christmas/New Year’s break and extra time off during the summer), and many other great university benefits. PLU is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program as a 501©(3) tax‑exempt organization.

For general application questions or if you need accommodations at any point in the application and/or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 253-535-7185 or [e-mail].