Maintenance Technician

City of New Ulm; New Ulm (MN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

City of New Ulm is seeking a Maintenance Technician to handle custodial duties and building upkeep across public facilities. The role focuses on cleaning, minor repairs, and preventive maintenance to ensure safe, functional, and welcoming spaces.

The position covers roughly 80% custodial tasks and 20% facilities maintenance, with hours from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. A valid driver’s license and 2–5 years’ relevant experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of custodial methods and cleaning agents, including safe chemical handling.
• Working knowledge of basic mechanical systems, plumbing, electrical components, carpentry, and painting techniques.
• Understanding HVAC, hydronic heating, irrigation systems, and preventative maintenance procedures.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain records and logs.
• Proficient with hand and power tools and outdoor equipment for maintenance tasks.
• Ability to read technical documents, meters, gauges, and schematics.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a facilities team and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Perform heavy interior cleaning and routine upkeep of facilities.
• Paint, patch, perform cosmetic repairs; assist with light electrical/plumbing tasks.
• Operate and maintain HVAC systems, boilers, chillers, and air handlers.
• Maintain grounds, sidewalks, and exterior upkeep; respond to safety needs.
• Maintain logs, inventory, safety reports, and assist vendor coordination.
• On-call responses to alarms, leaks, and emergencies; ensure safety procedures.

Skills

Custodial methods

Cleaning agents

Mechanical systems

Organization & records

Hand & power tools

Interpreting technical docs

Independent & team work

Communication with stakeholders

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

2–5 years custodial/building maintenance experience

Tools

HVAC systems

Plumbing

Electrical components

Carpentry & painting

Job description

Under the general direction of the Building Official, the Maintenance Technician is responsible for the cleaning, upkeep, and minor repairs of assigned public buildings and properties. This position supports a safe, functional, and welcoming environment and may include facility inspections, equipment operation, preventative maintenance, and occasional after-hours response.

This position is approximately 80% custodial work and 20% building/facility maintenance.

The hours for the position are 6:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB

Custodial & Building Upkeep

• Heavy and routine interior cleaning (buffing, vacuuming, steam cleaning).
• Maintain restrooms, stock supplies, and ensure sanitary conditions.
• Perform, painting, drywall patching, and cosmetic repairs.
• Provide light electrical and plumbing service.
• Collect, sort, and properly dispose of trash and recyclable materials from buildings and exterior containers.

Mechanical Systems & Preventative Maintenance

• Operate and maintain HVAC systems, hydronic boilers, chillers, and air handlers—conduct adjustments, filter/belt changes, and diagnostics.
• Maintain irrigations systems and conduct seasonal maintenance.
• Operate controls (manual/pneumatic/digital), read gauges, manage refrigerants.

Building Systems & Exterior Upkeep

• Maintain sidewalks, walkways grounds; use mowers, blowers, and snow removal equipment.
• Inspect, repair, and maintain windows, blinds, doors, woodwork, metalwork, roofing, and other building envelope components.

Equipment & Tools

• Safely use floor buffers, power equipment, hand, and power tools for mechanical and carpentry tasks.
• Conduct minor repairs on maintenance equipment.

Site Inspections & Documentation

• Perform daily/weekly walk-through rounds to identify maintenance needs.
• Maintain accurate logs: work orders, part inventory, safety reports, and vendor logs.
• Assist with vendor coordination during inspections, contracted maintenance, or repairs.

On-Call & Emergency Response

• Respond to fire alarms, HVAC emergencies, or HVAC trouble alarms.
• Respond to emergency/ad hoc requests (e.g., water leaks, HVAC breakdowns, snow events).

Other Responsibilities

• Move furniture and equipment for building setups or events.
• Ensure safe handling and storage of cleaning chemicals and agents.
• Adhere to all safety regulations and wear PPE.

The aforementioned functions are normal for this position. They are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA’s)

• Knowledge of custodial methods, cleaning agents, equipment and best practices, including safe handling of chemicals.
• Working knowledge of basic mechanical systems, plumbing, electrical components, carpentry, and painting techniques.
• Understanding of HVAC, hydronic heating, and irrigation systems, including routine preventative maintenance procedures.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to maintain accurate records, inventories, and service logs.
• Skilled in the safe and effective use of hand tools, power tools, and outdoor equipment, including lawn care and snow removal machinery.
• Ability to interpret and use technical documents such as meters, gauges, blueprints, maintenance manuals, and schematics.
• Capable of working independently with minimal supervision, as well as collaboratively as part of a facilities or maintenance team.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact positively with co-workers, contractors, and the general public.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 2-5 years of combined custodial and building/facility maintenance experience.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Experience with HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and carpentry systems required.

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force; work frequently walking and occasionally requires standing, sitting, speaking or hearing, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, tasting or smelling, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions; work requires ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, assembly or fabrication of parts within arms length, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working near moving mechanical parts, working in high, precarious places, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to outdoor weather conditions, exposure to the risk of electrical shock and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).