Lead Maintenance Technician

Embrace Living Communities; Palatine (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Embrace Living Communities in Palatine, IL seeks a Lead Maintenance Technician to preserve and repair facilities, maintain grounds, and contribute to a welcoming home environment for residents. On-call 24/7 for emergencies, you’ll lead the maintenance team and help plan capital replacements and preventive maintenance.

The role covers electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, painting, and coordination with vendors.

Qualifications

• Education and/or Experience – HS diploma or equivalent, 1-year certificate from college or technical school, and over three years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Language Skills – Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to inquiries from residents and staff.
• Mathematical Skills – Basic arithmetic operations.
• Computer Skills – Proficient in email, record keeping, routine database activity, word processing, spreadsheet, and graphics.
• Licenses – Valid driver’s license and ability to drive as needed.
• Other Qualifications – Electrical wiring capabilities and plumbing knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Creates a respectful living environment aligned with the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
• Promotes harmonious relations among residents, guests, team members, vendors, and local partners; acts as workplace mentor.
• Supports a wellness culture that encourages active aging and living well.
• Responds to emergencies by performing repairs to maintain safety; on-call 24/7.
• Assists in goal setting for maintenance programs and technicians.
• Contributes to a 10-year capital replacement plan.
• Develops and implements preventative maintenance programs.
• Enforces internal controls to protect assets and procedures.
• Improves day-to-day procedures for efficiency.
• Surveys buildings, equipment, and systems to identify issues.
• Follows Plants Operations and Procedures Manual.
• Maintains inventory and submits purchase orders as needed.
• Monitors vendors on site and ensures repairs per contract; assists pest control inspections.
• Repairs mechanical systems to health and safety standards.
• Performs maintenance of electrical systems (replacing bulbs, ballasts, outlets).
• Repairs plumbing to prevent water damage and restore fixtures.
• Maintains HVAC equipment for climate control.
• Performs general maintenance (painting, carpentry, landscaping).
• Supports setup of ventilation, refrigeration, and other systems; conducts repairs.
• Complies with hazardous material storage, usage and disposal policies.
• Maintains a clean, safe work environment with PPE as needed.
• Operates snow removal equipment for walkways and parking lots.
• Clears trash and debris from outdoor areas.
• Performs light housekeeping as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Electrical wiring

Plumbing knowledge

Computer skills

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma

1-year certificate (college/technical)

3+ years related experience

Job description

Description

Reports To: Manager

FLSA Status: Hourly Non-exempt

SUMMARY:

The Lead Maintenance Technician preserves and repairs physical structures of the housing community, maintains the grounds, and contributes to the team effort of providing quality, welcoming homes to all residents.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To complete this job successfully, each essential duty listed below must be performed properly. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Creates a respectful living environment for all residents that is aligned with the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
• Promotes harmonious relations among residents, guests, team members, vendors, and local area partners. Accepts role of Lead Manager as workplace mentor and cooperates accordingly.
• Supports a wellness culture that encourages active aging and living well.
• Responds to emergency situations by performing repairs and related tasks needed to maintain a safe and secure environment for residents and to minimize damage to Housing Community buildings and grounds. Note: Must be on-call and available 24/7 in case of emergency.
• Assists in the development and implementation of goal setting for the maintenance programand individual technicians.
• Aids in the development of a 10-year plan for capital replacement items and major repairs.
• Contributes to the development of a preventative maintenance program and implements the program to reduce the risk of future problems.
• Enforces internal controls to maximize protection of company assets, policies, and procedures.
• Fine tunes the day-to-day procedures to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the operations.
• Surveys buildings, equipment, and systems to identify any issues and ensures everything is up to standard.
• Follows the policies and procedures in the Plant Operations and Procedures Manual.
• Maintains inventory of supplies, parts, and equipment.
• Obtains bids from vendors and submits purchase orders as needed.
• Monitors outside maintenance and repair vendors’ personnel while on site and ensures contracted repairs are completed per the terms of the contract. Assists exterminator with pest control, including entering each apartment during pest control inspections.
• Repairs mechanical systems to ensure they are consistent with health and safety standards.
• Performs maintenance of electrical systems (replace light bulbs, ballasts, and outlets).
• Repairs broken or leaking plumbing to avoid water damage and to restore full use of water fixtures.
• Maintains the building HVAC equipment to keep climate control in the facility functioning properly.
• Performs general maintenance tasks including painting, carpentry, and landscaping.
• Supports the setup of ventilation, refrigeration, and other systems and conducts repairs.
• Complies with all policies for the safe storage, usage, and disposal of hazardous materials.
• Maintains a clean and safe work environment which includes wearing proper clothing and protective gear when needed.
• Operates snow removal equipment to maintain walkways, sidewalks, and parking lots.
• Empties trash cans and consolidates trash for regular pickup. Removes debris from outdoor areas including grounds, walkways, sidewalks, and parking lots.
• Completes light housekeeping responsibilities, as needed.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To qualify for this job, the skill sets, licenses, and certifications listed below should be met.

• Education and/or Experience – High school diploma or equivalent, one-year certificate from college or technical school, and over three years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Language Skills – Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from residents, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to management, public groups, and/or board of directors. Ability to interact clearly and effectively with supervisors, residents, staff, vendors, and guests, in both written and oral communication.
• Mathematical Skills – Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
• Computer Skills – Proficient in computer skills including electronic mail, record keeping, routine database activity, word processing, spreadsheet, and graphics.
• Licenses – Valid driver’s license and ability to drive as needed.
• Other Qualifications – Electrical wiring capabilities to manage problems with the building’s electricity. Plumbing knowledge to address leaks, clogs, or other drainage problems. Knowledge of general maintenance processes and methods. Working knowledge of tools, common appliances, and devices.

COMPETENCIES:

To perform this job effectively and efficiently, the competencies listed below should be met.

• Confidentiality – Maintains all work communication and information confidential as per code of ethics and organizational policies.
• Professionalism – Reacts well under pressure, follows through on commitments, and treats others with respect and consideration regardless of status or position.
• Teamwork – Works with others to achieve a desired result by finding common ground and practicing attentive and active listening.
• Attention to Detail – Focuses on one task at a time ensuring proper completion the first time and every time.
• Time Management – Prioritizes work, sets goals, develops realistic action plans, uses time efficiently, and plans for additional resources (as needed) to accomplish duties.
• Organizational Support – Knows and follows policies and procedures and supports the organization's mission, vision, and values.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

To complete the duties of this job, the physical demands listed below must be met.

• Stands or moves throughout the facility and grounds 90 percent of the time.
• Remains in a stationary position while occasionally operating a computer and performing administrative duties.
• Moves up to 50 pounds regularly.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

To perform this job, the work environment includes the considerations listed below:

• Encounters frequent exposure to wet or humid conditions (non-weather).
• Performs some duties near moving mechanical parts.
• Works outdoors with changing weather conditions.
• Experiences exposure to high and/or precarious places, fumes, airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and danger of electrical shock or vibration.
• Completes tasks in an environment with a noise level that is usually moderate.