Maintenance Mechanic II

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR); Boulder (CO); Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision, and Short &/s

Retirement plan

Time Off Plans

20 days PTO

10 paid holidays

12 weeks parental leave

FAMLI Leave

Tuition Assistance Program

PSLF eligible employer

Job summary

UCAR is seeking a Maintenance Mechanic II to install, maintain, troubleshoot, and operate commercial HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, and boiler systems across multiple UCAR facilities. The role requires independent problem solving, BAS proficiency, and the ability to guide junior staff.

You will participate in after-hours on-call rotations, contribute to safety and documentation, and support small projects while ensuring critical facility operations remain uninterrupted.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Completion of HVAC/mechanical tech program, apprenticeship, or equivalent.
• 6+ years of progressive mechanical maintenance experience in commercial facilities.
• Experience with critical facility HVAC systems and infrastructure.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot, maintain, and repair HVAC and mechanical systems.
• Experience with boilers, hydronic systems, pumps, and related controls.
• Experience using BAS for monitoring and troubleshooting.
• Valid Colorado Driver's License and driving record per UCAR requirements.
• EPA Section 608 certification appropriate for assigned refrigeration work.

Responsibilities

• Install, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and operate commercial HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, hydraulic, steam, and boiler systems.
• Diagnose equipment failures using troubleshooting methods, data, and field measurements.
• Maintain air handling units, RTUs, pumps, motors, valves, heat exchangers, coils, and refrigeration equipment.
• Perform preventive and predictive maintenance per schedules and manufacturer guidance.
• Monitor BAS alarms, trends, setpoints, and parameters to diagnose issues.
• Coordinate with Controls, Electrical, Engineering, and contractors for complex problems.
• Support refrigeration service in line with EPA requirements and UCAR procedures.
• Participate in on-call rotations and after-hours emergencies.

Skills

HVAC systems

BAS knowledge

Boilers & Hydronic

Troubleshooting

EPA 608

Colorado DL

Refrigeration

Pumps & Valves

Safety procedures

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

HVAC trade school or apprenticeship

EPA 608 certification

Tools

BAS platforms

Siemens Desigo CC

CMMS

Job description

Position Type: Regular

Visa Sponsored Job: No

Relocation Assistance Eligible: No

Hiring Range: 73,140.00 USD - 91,430.00 USD

*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.

Application Closes at 12:00am MST on: 2026-11-09

About the Role

UCAR is excited to announce the job opening for the Maintenance Mechanic II.

This position performs installation, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and operation of commercial and semi-industrial mechanical systems, including heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, plumbing, boilers, hydronic systems, pumps, and associated equipment.

The Maintenance Mechanic II is expected to independently diagnose and resolve complex mechanical system problems, utilize Building Automation Systems (BAS) for system monitoring and troubleshooting, and provide technical guidance to other maintenance personnel as needed. The position supports critical facility operations across multiple UCAR|NSF NCAR locations and participates in after-hours on-call rotations and emergency response activities.

The salary range for this role is $73,140 - $91,430.

Job Description

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of a recognized HVAC/mechanical technical school program, applicable apprenticeship, or equivalent combination of technical education and experience.
• Journey-level mechanical worker with a minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in commercial, institutional, industrial, or facilities mechanical maintenance, or an equivalent combination of education, apprenticeship training, and experience.
• Experience with critical facility HVAC systems and infrastructure.
• Demonstrated experience independently troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing commercial HVAC and mechanical building systems.
• Experience working with boilers, hydronic systems, pumps, air handling equipment, refrigeration equipment, plumbing systems, and associated controls.
• Experience utilizing BAS systems as part of mechanical system operation and troubleshooting.
• Possession of a valid Colorado Driver's License and driving record compliant with UCAR's liability insurance requirements.
• Current EPA Section 608 certification appropriate for assigned refrigeration work, with Universal Certification preferred.

Building Mechanical Systems Maintenance, Repair, Installation

• Independently install, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and operate commercial HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, pneumatic, hydraulic, steam and hot-water boiler, hydronic, and closed-loop heating and cooling systems.
• Diagnose mechanical equipment and system failures using established troubleshooting methods, technical documentation, system operating data, and field measurements.
• Maintain and repair air handling units, rooftop units, pumps, motors, valves, heat exchangers, coils, compressors, refrigeration equipment, and other associated mechanical components.
• Perform preventive and predictive maintenance according to established schedules, manufacturer recommendations, equipment condition, and facility requirements.
• Identify developing equipment problems and recommend corrective repairs or maintenance activities to improve system reliability and reduce unplanned equipment failures.
• Monitor and adjust chemical levels associated with water treatment and mechanical systems as required.
• Operate and utilize BAS platforms to monitor equipment, review alarms and trends, adjust operating parameters, and assist in diagnosing mechanical and controls-related problems.
• Troubleshoot interactions between mechanical equipment, controls, sensors, actuators, and BAS sequences and coordinate with Controls, Electrical, Engineering, and outside contractors when necessary.
• Perform refrigeration service in accordance with applicable EPA requirements and UCAR procedures.

Emergency Response and Critical Systems Maintenance

• Participate in scheduled on-call rotations with other mechanical maintenance team members in accordance with UCAR On-Call procedures. Additional compensation applies for on-call activities.
• Respond to after-hours mechanical and facility emergencies, which may include nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Independently assess mechanical system failures and determine appropriate immediate corrective actions to protect personnel, research activities, facilities, and equipment.
• Troubleshoot HVAC, heating, cooling, plumbing, refrigeration, and other critical mechanical system failures during emergency conditions.
• Establish temporary operating configurations or install temporary mechanical infrastructure when necessary to maintain critical facility operations during equipment failures, construction activities, or planned outages.
• Escalate complex or high-risk conditions to the Mechanical Supervisor, Facilities leadership, Safety, Engineering, Controls, Electrical, or appropriate outside contractors.
• Participate in safety, emergency response, and incident-response training applicable to mechanical system operations.

Small Projects (<$250K) and Construction Services

• Perform mechanical work associated with facility renovations, equipment replacements, infrastructure improvements, and small construction projects.
• Install, modify, relocate, or repair mechanical equipment, piping, valves, pumps, sheet metal, ductwork, controls components, and related infrastructure.
• Review drawings, specifications, equipment documentation, and project requirements applicable to assigned work.
• Assist with equipment startup, commissioning, functional testing, and verification of newly installed or modified mechanical systems.
• Coordinate mechanical activities with other UCAR trades, Engineering personnel, project managers, contractors, and facility occupants.
• Identify field conditions that may affect project scope, schedule, cost, safety, or system operation and communicate those conditions to the appropriate project lead.

Administrative, Safety, Documentation, and Housekeeping

• Maintain required licenses, certifications, records, inspection documentation, and logs in accordance with UCAR requirements and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Participate in required safety, technical, equipment operator, and professional development training.
• Accurately document labor hours, work performed, materials used, equipment conditions, deficiencies identified, and corrective actions within UCAR's Facilities Operations Management system.
• Maintain accurate maintenance and equipment records to support asset history and future troubleshooting.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced working knowledge of commercial HVAC and mechanical building systems, such as air handlers, split systems, mini-split systems, and water pumps.
• Working knowledge of Building Automation Systems, including equipment monitoring, alarm review, trending, setpoint adjustment, and troubleshooting.
• Working knowledge of boiler systems and associated pumps, valves, controls, and hydronic distribution systems.
• Working knowledge of commercial refrigeration systems, refrigeration cycles, compressors, metering devices, and associated controls.
• Working knowledge of commercial plumbing systems and mechanical piping.
• Demonstrated ability to independently troubleshoot mechanical equipment and system failures.
• Ability to interpret mechanical drawings, piping diagrams, equipment schematics, sequences of operation, building layouts, technical manuals, and operational flow diagrams.
• Knowledge of pumps, motors, bearings, valves, actuators, heat exchangers, air handling equipment, and related mechanical components.
• Skill and experience using hand tools, power tools, diagnostic instruments, ladders, personal protective equipment, and equipment commonly used in commercial facilities maintenance.
• Ability to safely perform high-quality, craftsman-like mechanical work.
• Ability to recognize mechanical system deficiencies and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Ability to understand and follow applicable safety requirements, including lockout/tagout and safe refrigerant handling practices.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical information verbally and in writing to maintenance personnel, supervisors, contractors, Engineering staff, and facility occupants.
• Ability to document troubleshooting findings, corrective actions, and equipment conditions accurately.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision while contributing effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary maintenance team.
• Ability to provide technical guidance and knowledge transfer to less-experienced employees.
• Ability to prioritize multiple maintenance issues based on safety, operational impact, and equipment criticality.
• Ability to respond promptly to work requests and perform work with minimal disruption to facility operations.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with UCAR staff, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to lift and carry up to fifty (50) pounds for twenty (20) feet.
• Ability to work from ladders, scaffolds, elevated platforms, mechanical spaces, rooftops, and other locations associated with commercial facilities maintenance.
• Willingness and ability to participate in on-call rotations and respond to after-hours emergencies, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree, technical degree, or advanced trade education in HVAC, mechanical systems, refrigeration, or a related field.
• Advanced experience with Building Automation or Energy Management Systems.
• Experience with commissioning, equipment startup, troubleshooting, and optimization of commercial mechanical systems.
• Experience with Siemens Desigo CC or similar BAS platforms.
• Experience troubleshooting HVAC control sequences, sensors, actuators, VFDs, and equipment integration issues.
• OSHA 10- or 30-Hour General Industry Course Certificate.
• NATE certification or equivalent HVAC industry certification.
• Experience working in research, laboratory, data center, institutional, industrial, or other critical facility environments.
• Experience mentoring or providing technical guidance to less-experienced mechanical maintenance personnel.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace applications and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).

Benefits Overview

UCAR offers a comprehensive benefits package: health insurance, dental, retirement plan, leave plans, tuition assistance, and employee assistance programs:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Short & Long Term Disability Insurance
• Generous retirement plan - UCAR contributes of 10% of base salary
• Time Off Plans
• Minimum 20 days of annual PTO
• 10 paid holidays
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• FAMLI Leave
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer

UCAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all individuals. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants are not required to provide age-related information (like date of birth or graduation dates) in initial submissions.

For sponsored positions: UCAR can sponsor individuals for H-1B status only if they are already in the U.S. in H-1B status or another visa status that allows them to change to H-1B status within the U.S. UCAR is unable to sponsor new H-1B visas for individuals who are outside the U.S. and need to obtain H-1B status through Consular Processing.

While UCAR does not prohibit the use of AI tools in job applications, we strongly recommend that applicants submit primarily original work.

All roles require compliance with U.S. export control regulations and work location requirements. All hybrid staff are expected to work on-site approximately 3 days per week.