Laboratory Building Coordinator Assistant

Texas Department of State Health Services; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 50,476 - 75,888; Full time

Job summary

The Texas Department of State Health Services in Austin seeks a Program Specialist V to oversee the PHLD building operations, lead the maintenance team, and coordinate safety and environmental compliance for laboratory facilities.

This exempt, full-time role requires after-hours availability for emergencies, collaboration with TFC and contractors, and ensuring safe, secure, and efficient lab environments.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college with engineering/building technology coursework preferred.
• Four years’ experience in engineering, maintenance, and lab/hospital building systems preferred.
• Two years’ experience with HVAC and building safety codes preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performs advanced consultative services and technical assistance for the PHLD buildings.
• Plans and coordinates physical environmental and security conditions; manages service contracts and budgets.
• Lead worker for laboratory preventative maintenance; conducts inspections and calibrations of lab equipment.
• Manages accountability and disposition of inventoried lab property; supports safety culture.
• Other duties including disaster response and potential COOP activation.

Skills

HVAC systems

Building maintenance

NFPA compliance

Safety procedures

Blueprint reading

CMMS

Project management

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

CMMS

Job description

Date: Jul 16, 2026

Location: AUSTIN, TX

Employee Benefits

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

Job Details

• Functional Title: Laboratory Building Coordinator Assistant
• Job Title: Program Specialist V
• Agency: Dept of State Health Services
• Department: Quality Assurance
• Posting Number: 18750
• Closing Date: 01/14/2027
• Posting Audience: Internal and External
• Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science
• Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $6,800.00
• Pay Frequency: Monthly
• Shift: Day
• Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
• Travel: Up to 5%
• Employment Type: Regular, Full time, Exempt
• Facility Location: AUSTIN
• Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (DBGL)

Brief Job Description

Performs advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work for the DSHS Public Health Laboratory (PHLD) buildings. Works under the limited supervision of the PHLD Building Operations Branch Manager with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Consults with laboratory program and non-program staff to ensure the safe, secure, efficient and effective operation of laboratory buildings. Plans and coordinates building activities associated with the laboratory. Serves as lead worker for laboratory preventative maintenance program. Manages the accountability and disposition of inventoried laboratory property. Supports the creation of a Laboratory-wide safety culture by serving as a liaison to the Safety Office to ensure a healthy and safe workplace. Must be available before and after hours, holidays and weekends to respond to building emergencies. Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Functions

Essential Job Function #1 (25%)

Performs advanced consultative services and technical assistance work. Consults with the laboratory building coordinator, laboratory staff, The Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) and contractors to ensure the safe, secure, efficient and effective operation of laboratory buildings and associated systems. Submits repair, maintenance, and warranty work requests via the TFC portal. Provides high-level advice and counsel to laboratory management and staff, interpreting policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and standards related to the building and program. Ensures that maintenance or repairs by TFC and/or contractors do not interfere with laboratory operations. Provides daily guidance on HVAC, electrical, plumbing problems, security issues, space requirements for new test equipment, and reconfiguration of modular furniture.

Essential Job Function #2 (30%)

Plans and coordinates activities related to the physical environmental and security conditions of the laboratory. Analyzes building conditions, collects data, proposes building management resources, and prepares materials for requests and reports on progress and adverse trends. Secures and coordinates services such as housekeeping, HVAC, structural repairs, and maintenance of safety features. Maintains service contracts, writes statements of work, solicits bids, and recommends the optimal selection of service providers. Works closely with laboratory management to analyze and evaluate the budget and expenditure requests for PHLD building projects. Supports compliance with NFPA 101, ASHRAE, BMBL, and other federal, state, and city regulations related to safety, environmental compliance, security, and incident response. Provides support to the South Texas Laboratory as needed. Must be available before and after hours, holidays and weekends to respond to emergencies.

Essential Job Function #3 (25%)

Serves as lead worker providing direction to Laboratory Maintenance Team regarding laboratory preventative maintenance and performance data to ensure compliance with program requirements. Performs preventative maintenance service on laboratory equipment, verifies, and conducts inspections, tests, and reviews of equipment and instruments. Performs routine repairs, calibrations, and adjustments to laboratory instruments. Communicates and obtains approval from area staff for work performed prior to scheduling. Conducts training and provides guidance to laboratory maintenance staff in the development and integration of new or revised methods and procedures regarding the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Determines laboratory equipment trends and resolves operational problems efficiently and effectively. Performs specialized projects as requested by laboratory leadership.

Essential Job Function #4 (15%)

Manages the accountability and disposition of inventoried laboratory property. Works with the Asset Management Office to identify and inventory laboratory equipment. Arranges the removal and disposition of surplus, broken, or outdated equipment and furniture. Drafts changes in procedures for accountability of current and future laboratory equipment.

Essential Job Function #5 (5%)

Other duties as assigned, including active participation in disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge and experience with the operation and maintenance of healthcare facilities, higher education facilities, or public health testing laboratories.
• Knowledge of current Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) requirements.
• Knowledge of building Life Safety requirements, HVAC and mechanical systems operations such as plumbing, deionized water, acid neutralization, chemical fume hoods, and biological safety cabinets.
• Knowledge of commercial building electrical systems and infrastructure.
• Knowledge of air balance processes and the ability to read/interpret Test & Balance reports and fan & pump curves.
• Knowledge of Texas Facilities Commission building maintenance policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of computers including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint & Visio, Adobe Acrobat, and Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD).
• Knowledge of National Environmental Balancing Bureau Standards and Associated Air Balance Council Standards.
• Skill in organization, time management, and planning.
• Skills in problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Skill in analyzing complex information from multiple sources, researching, verifying, and compiling into documents to support building needs for testing programs.
• Skill in successful management of construction projects as an owner’s agent or representative with both minor and major construction projects.
• Strong work ethics and ethical approach to the management of risk liabilities.
• Skill in Word Processing Software, spreadsheets, databases, PDF, CMMS, CAD, and report writing.
• Ability to document progress of major construction projects to contract specifications, resolve non-conforming work, coordinate vendor installations, and manage environmental and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to increase commitment in others, resolve technical difficulties, oversee projects to contract specifications, and coordinate installation of mission-critical systems.
• Ability to apply as needed to understand and communicate problems with building airflows.
• Ability to work independently and make technical decisions based on professional knowledge and experience.
• Ability to read/interpret blueprint drawings and project specifications.
• Ability to demonstrate leadership qualities.
• Ability to implement effective customer service practices.
• Ability to interact diplomatically with internal customers, purchasing, vendors, and service representatives.
• Ability to communicate technical information in layman’s terms to a broad audience.
• Ability to develop guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with superiors, co-workers, vendors, contractors, and TFC representatives.
• Ability to lead teams, establish goals and objectives, and monitor employee progress.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements, or Certifications

• Valid state Class “C” driver’s license required.

Initial Criteria

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in engineering, engineering related, or building technology is generally preferred.
• Trade vocational or technical training certification in air conditioning systems or a related mechanical, electrical, or plumbing field preferred.
• Four years’ experience in the field of engineering, maintenance and repairs of laboratory or hospital building requirements and systems preferred.
• Two years’ experience in HVAC and mechanical system operations or building safety codes and/or requirements preferred.
• Two years’ experience reading, interpreting, and reviewing blueprints specifications required.
• High school graduate or GED required.
• Minimum 18 months’ experience with third‑party vendors requesting quotes, submitting requisitions, and maintaining service agreements required.

Additional Information

Must be willing to work holidays and weekends. Must be willing to work hours other than 8am - 5pm.

Physical Demands

• Maximum number of pounds required: 50 pounds for lifting, pulling, carrying, and pushing.
• Standing, crawling, kneeling, climbing stairs, reaching above shoulder, sitting, walking, twisting upper body, stooping, climbing ladders, hearing, vision.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include those listed here. All active‑duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.