HVAC Watch Mechanic (8193C), Facilities Services - #89715

University of California-Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California-Berkeley is seeking an HVAC Watch Engineer to manage environmental control of campus facilities, monitor and adjust cooling and heating systems, and respond to campus emergencies using EMS and other control systems.

The role requires senior HVAC expertise, coordination with trades, and adherence to safety guidelines, with responsibilities spanning maintenance and operations for a large university complex.

Qualifications

• Five years journeyman experience in a comparable position or related experience in a university, hospital or large building complex.
• Operate and adjust the building environment and control all systems through the use of computerized and manual HVAC controls.
• Perform testing and treatment to maintain the condition of the cooling tower water systems.
• Operate, adjust and PM on steam and hot water boilers and their immediate auxiliaries.
• Operate, adjust and PM on building heating and ventilation systems, including thermostats and EMS.
• Must possess excellent communication skills and ability to interact with campus community in a multi-cultural environment.

Responsibilities

• Environmental control of facilities including temperature in rooms and zones; operation and maintenance of pneumatic and electronic control systems; first responders to campus emergencies.
• Primary first responders to OLAC and BSL3 alarms.
• Monitor and adjust chiller systems, air conditioning, refrigeration and steam heating systems; manage building conditions via EMS and other control systems.
• Maintenance and repairs to building systems including fans, fume hoods, Bio Safety Cabinets, and pumps; coordinate with other trades.
• Coordinate repairs with other trades at Facilities Services; ensure buildings are in good working order.

Skills

HVAC controls

Chillers/Boilers

Emergency response

Reading blueprints

Education

Five year apprenticeship program or equivalent

Tools

EMS

Blueprints

Job description

Job ID 89715

Location Main Campus-Berkeley

Full/Part Time Full Time

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.

We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan, which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence.

Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride.

Departmental Overview

Facilities Services works to continuously improve the campus in partnership with all members of the University community to ensure that classrooms, laboratories, and offices support teaching, learning and research. Through the efforts of over 400 dedicated staff members and serving over 10M building square feet and 1100 acres, Facilities Services includes the asset management program, custodial services, maintenance operations, engineering and technical services, environmental services, grounds operations, the Cal Zero Waste program.

Position Summary

The HVAC Watch Mechanic is responsible for environmental control of facilities on Campus which includes temperature of individual rooms and zones, operation and maintenance of pneumatic and electronic control systems. This position serves as a first responder to campus emergencies and as primary first responder to OLAC and BSL3 alarms. The HVAC Watch Mechanic monitors and adjusts chiller systems, air conditioning, refrigeration and steam heating systems to include all equipment pertaining to each system and manages building conditions through the utilization of computerized EMS and other control systems. The HVAC Watch Mechanic performs maintenance and repairs to all existing building systems and coordinates appropriate repairs with other trades at Facilities Services.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: November 13, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

HVAC WATCH ENGINEER - 80%

• Responsible for environmental control of facilities on Campus which includes; temperature of individual rooms and zones, operation and maintenance of pneumatic and electronic control systems. First responders to campus emergencies.
• Primary first responders to OLAC and BSL3 alarms.
• Monitor and adjust chiller systems, air conditioning, refrigeration and steam heating systems to include all equipment pertaining to each system. Manage building conditions through the utilization of computerized EMS and other control systems.
• Responsible for maintenance and repairs to all existing building systems. These systems include but are not limited to fans, fume hoods, Bio Safety Cabinets and Maintain pool chemical feeders, VFD's, humidifiers, cooling towers, PRV's, boilers, heat exchangers, pumps, compressors, vacuum pumps, heating and cooling coils. Air filter and belt replacement as required. The ability to lift and maneuver up to 75 pound objects safely and be able to work safely on ladders and in small spaces within the campus environment.
• Coordinate appropriate repairs with other trades at Facilities Services. Work with all other trades to maintain all buildings in good working order.

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES - 10%

• Adherence to the scheduling of work through the work management program is required. Consult Manager for technical information. Support maintenance projects and programmatic work assignments. Keep accurate work records and complete paperwork in a neat and timely manner. Define and describe materials, tools and/or equipment, work methods and task sequences. Serve as liaison with clients, relaying their needs and requirements to the appropriate department or superintendent. Obtain materials and equipment as required.

SAFETY - 5%

• Adhere to all University and Departmental safety guidelines. Attend job-related and safety training as required.

OTHER - 5%

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Employee must possess five years journeyman experience in a comparable position or related experience in a university, hospital or large building complex.
• Operate and adjust the building environment and control all systems through the use of computerized and manual HVAC controls. Operate absorbers and chillers, related auxiliary pumps, control valves and controlling instruments.
• Perform testing and treatment to maintain the condition of the cooling tower water systems. Maintain auxiliary pumps, control valves and temperature controls. Clean and replace strainer baskets.
• Operate, adjust, troubleshoot and provide PM on steam and hot water boilers and their immediate auxiliaries. This includes valves and their control instruments necessary for normal operation.
• Operate, adjust and provide PM on building heating and ventilation systems. This is inclusive of fans, blowers, heat exchangers, pumps, air compressors, vacuum pumps, heating and cooling coils, air filters, control valves and repair or replacement of their diaphragms up to and including one inch diameter. Also operate, adjust and maintain thermostats and all main receiver controls. Adjust, troubleshoot and monitor equipment using the EMS where applicable.
• Operate, adjust and provide PM on radiators, convectors, and baseboard heaters.
• Operate, adjust and provide PM for temperature controls, strainers and traps on HHW, DHW and IHW heat exchangers.
• Receive specific training to analyze boiler combustion using the appropriate instrument and refer necessary repairs to another trade if required.
• Installation, repair and adjustment of existing pneumatic controls, related control lines, pneumatic air dampers, damper motors and valve diaphragms up to and including one inch diameter, includes installation of plastic lines.
• Operate, and adjust pressure reducing valves on steam, air and water equipment.
• Operate, adjust and provide PM on controls for stills, water softeners, demineralizers and deionizers.
• Operate, adjust and provide PM on controls for air compressors and vacuum pumps.
• Operate air driers to include temperature adjustment and repair or replacement of moisture traps.
• Provide chemical treatment for HHW and CW, cooling towers and any equipment requiring chemical treatment.
• Knowledge of and ability to conform to Facilities Services, University, state, and federal policies and Procedures, including safety policies such as the IIPP, Hazardous Materials Communications Program and Health and Safety Manuals.
• Be able to work with a fitted respirator as required.
• Must possess excellent communication skills and ability to interact in a positive manner with the campus community, including students, building managers, academic personnel, and craft personnel, in a multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to track jobs to completion and prioritize requirements; able to work and support shutdowns and project schedules to minimize interference with others.
• Must be able to read information from equipment manufacturers' manuals, service requests, layout sketches, blueprints, appropriate state and local government codes, trade-specific manuals and practices, and to determine how the fixture or equipment should perform.
• Knowledge of relevant building codes and regulations. Ability to communicate clearly over the telephone and two-way radio.
• Ability to execute all job assignments in a timely manner.
• Employee must be available to respond to emergencies, work on-call, weekend on-call, rotating shifts, watch and holidays.

Education / Training

• Must have completed a five year apprenticeship program or equivalent. Education and training in controls can be through documented experience and/or industrial/vocational or an accredited college or university.

Licenses / Certifications

• Must maintain valid CA DL and clean DMV record.
• Must enroll in the DMV Pull-Notice Program.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $76.92, Step 1.

• This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.
• This is a part-time (38 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

Driving Required

Required to hold a valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Skilled Crafts Unit (KB) between the University of California and the Alameda County Building and Construction Trades Council (ACBCTC). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/kb/index.html

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Physical Exam

Employment is contingent upon pre-employment medical clearance, which may include a Job Abilities Exam (JAE).

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.