Plant Engineering Technician I

Rochester Institute of Technology; United States; On-site; USD 28,929 - 34,440; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Sick and vacation time

12 paid holidays per year

Retirement and financial planning resources

Educational benefits for employees and dependents

Employee wellness program

Free use of on‑site fitness facilities

Job summary

Rochester Institute of Technology is looking for an entry-level technician for Facilities Management Services. This role involves performing preventive maintenance, responding to service calls, and ensuring efficient operation of HVAC and other systems across campus.

The position requires an Associate's degree and offers a pay range of $21-$25 hourly. Benefits include medical coverage, paid holidays, and educational benefits. Work hours are Tuesday–Saturday, 3PM to 11:30PM.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Building Management Systems is essential.
• Familiarity with safety standards and regulations is required.
• Ability to troubleshoot and verify system operations is important.

Responsibilities

• Perform rounds of capital equipment, noting deviations.
• Respond to service calls from students and faculty.
• Conduct preventive maintenance on HVAC equipment.
• Perform repairs and adjustments on HVAC systems.

Skills

Knowledge of web‑based Building Management Systems

Knowledge of OSHA, DEC, and EPA standards

Skills in using specialized tools for monitoring

Communication skills with engineers and management

Ability to operate large‑facility equipment safely

Ability to operate trucks and power tools

Education

Associate's degree in a related field

Job description

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform physical and computer rounds of capital equipment daily, noting deviations or operational concerns, making corrections, and reporting concerns to colleagues or supervision.
• Respond to all types of service calls from students and faculty/staff, including fire alarms, heating and cooling issues, refrigeration, plumbing, door problems, elevator problems, and electrical problems as dispatched by the Department and Public Safety.
• Utilize Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) drawings, design specifications, or manufacturers' recommendations to troubleshoot, adjust, and verify system operation.
• Perform water treatment testing on closed loops, cooling towers, and steam boilers; adjust chemical feed equipment, calibrate sensors, maintain softeners, and add chemicals as necessary.
• Perform preventive maintenance on Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment and make necessary repairs.
• Perform repairs on HVAC equipment, including dismantling equipment and removing it as required.
• Execute other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of web‑based Building Management Systems.
• Knowledge of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, laws, and regulations.
• Skill in using specialized tools and software for monitoring and maintaining plant systems.
• Skill in documenting maintenance activities and communicating effectively with engineers and management.
• Ability to safely operate and maintain large‑facility equipment and systems, including boilers, chillers, hot and chilled water systems, emergency power gensets, refrigeration systems, electrical breakers, HVAC units, computer systems, and underground infrastructure systems.
• Ability to safely operate all equipment, including trucks, utility vehicles, hand tools, and power tools.

Minimum Education & Experience

Associate's degree in a related field. No experience required. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Job Level Overview

Level 1 – An entry‑level role focused on building knowledge and skills. Performs routine, well‑defined tasks that can be learned quickly, under close supervision and detailed instructions.

About Facilities Management Services (FMS)

FMS supports the RIT community by designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining a high‑quality, cost‑effective campus environment. Within FMS, the Engineering Services team manages heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and refrigeration equipment across the campus.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Sick and vacation time
• 12 paid holidays per year
• Retirement and financial planning resources
• Educational benefits for employees and dependents
• Employee wellness program
• Free use of on‑site fitness facilities

Schedule

B‑Shift—Tuesday–Saturday, 3PM to 11:30PM.

Compensation

$21‑$25 hourly.

Equal Opportunity Employer

RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status, or disability. RIT provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities.