Senior Power Plant Mechanic

George Mason University; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Winter break

Tuition benefit

Commuter transit benefit

Retirement plan

Employee discounts

Job summary

George Mason University seeks a skilled Equip Service & Repair Tech 2 to join the Central Heating and Cooling Plant team on the Fairfax campus. The role focuses on inspecting, maintaining, repairing, and rebuilding power plant equipment, including HTHW and chilled water systems.

The position requires 5 years of relevant experience and a valid driver’s license for vehicle use. Offers strong benefits, on-site work, and a salary up to $83,000.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum 5 years as a mechanic in a power/industrial plant.
• Knowledge of repair and maintenance for boilers, chillers and related equipment.
• Skilled with hand and power tools and mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic systems.
• Ability to work independently and in extreme environments.

Responsibilities

• Repair and maintain HTHW and chilled water systems and related equipment.
• Perform pump motor alignment and troubleshoot motor controls.
• Initiate action during malfunctions and respond to emergencies.
• Complete preventive maintenance schedules and write work orders.
• Related tasks assigned by supervisor as needed.

Skills

Power plant maintenance

Motor controls

Hand & power tools

Education

High school diploma

Welding certifications (TIG/SMAW)

Tools

HVAC equipment tools

Job description

Department: Facilities & Campus Operations

Classification: Equip Service & Repair Tech 2

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri., 6am - 2pm

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On-site required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience, max $83,000 (non-negotiable)

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

Important Eligibility Requirement

Employees in this position are required to operate university vehicles in accordance with George Mason University Vehicle Use Policy 1411. Applicants must possess and maintain an active, valid driver’s license that satisfies university requirements. Final candidates are subject to a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) review, and successful completion of the review is a condition of employment. Minor or major driving violations may affect eligibility for employment. Applicants with prior driving infractions need to review the Eligibility & MVR Review Information (English/Spanish) before applying.

About The Department

The Central Heating and Cooling Plant (CHCP) at George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus provides 24/7, 365 days a year, high-temperature hot water (HTHW) for domestic hot water, building heat, and chilled water for air-conditioning in Fairfax campus buildings through an underground distribution system. It receives all after-hours service calls and responds accordingly, while also monitoring all mechanical rooms daily, including HTHW heat exchangers, chillers, and boilers in Education & General, Auxiliary, and Housing buildings.

About The Position

Join the George Mason University Patriot Team! A fantastic new opportunity is available at George Mason University. If you're ready to start a rewarding new career, we're ready to welcome you to our team. As a Virginia state employee, you will work on our beautiful Fairfax campus, home to 677 acres of scenic wooded landscape, and become an important part of the George Mason University community. We have the work and the opportunity. Now we are looking for a dependable team member who takes pride in their work and is eager to make a meaningful contribution to the university's educational facilities. We value employees who are reliable, motivated, and trusted to get the job done. The Facilities & Campus Operations Department is committed to providing a safe, functional, and clean environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

What's In It For You?

Outstanding Employee Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including annual leave, holidays, and sick leave;
• Paid two-week winter break (please note this benefit is subject to annual approval and is not guaranteed every year);
• Free tuition for up to 12 credit hours during the academic year, plus professional development opportunities. Earn a college education while earning a salary;
• Commuter Choice Transit Benefit;
• Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Hybrid Retirement Plan; and
• Patriot Perks discounts on restaurants, events, entertainment, and more.

Benefits For You And Your Family

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance; and
• Tuition benefit for eligible dependents (restrictions apply).

Perform work of considerable difficulty with responsibility for independently inspecting, maintaining, repairing, and/or rebuilding a variety of power plant mechanical and related cooling and heating equipment.

Responsibilities

Repair and Maintenance

• Repairs and maintains high-temperature hot water (HTHW) and chilled water distribution systems and tunnels, including all CHCP and Fairfax campus external boilers, centrifugal and positive displacement pumps, tunnel sump pumps, air compressors, dryers, bubbler blowers, cooling towers, chemical pumps and feed lines, gearboxes, exhaust fans, and pneumatic and electric control valves;
• Repacking of HTHW expansion joints, HTHW valve packing gland, variable frequency drive (VFD) cleaning and filters, and replacement of chiller Helios cleaning balls;
• Performs pump motor alignment and troubleshoots motors and motor controls;
• Initiates immediate action in case of malfunctions or breakdown of equipment;
• Works independently without major supervision for any work or repair required; and
• Works in extreme environments and performs other duties to meet the needs of the University and is readily available during emergency repair situations.

Preventive Maintenance

• Performs timely completion of assigned corrective and preventive maintenance schedules; and
• Writes and submits work orders where necessary.

Other Related Duties As Assigned

• Related tasks assigned by the supervisor and department head.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Experience (typically, a minimum of 5 years) working as a mechanic in a power plant, industrial plant, or a related setting that uses boilers, chillers, and ancillary equipment;
• Knowledge of all aspects of repair and maintenance of heating and cooling equipment, gas-fired boilers, pumps, compressors, and other auxiliary power plant mechanical equipment;
• Skilled in the use of diverse hand and power tools and mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic equipment;
• Ability to maintain and repair power plant and related equipment and to troubleshoot a variety of mechanical problems;
• Ability to perform pump motor alignment and troubleshoot motor and motor controls;
• Able to work independently without major supervision for any work or repair required;
• Ability to work in extreme environments and perform other duties to meet the needs of the University;
• Readily available during times of emergency repair situations;
• Valid driver's license: must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator’s license that meets all of GMU’s requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason’s Vehicle Use Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver’s licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected, with employment contingent upon a favorable review; and
• Position is identified as a Designated Employee. Designated Employees may be required to work during inclement weather or emergency conditions in order to perform security functions, maintenance, snow removal, or provide other necessary services.

Preferred Qualifications

• Welding certifications for Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) and Stick/Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW);
• Advanced knowledge of all aspects of repair and maintenance of heating and cooling equipment, gas-fired boilers, pumps, compressors, and other auxiliary power plant mechanical equipment;
• Advanced skills in the use of diverse hand and power tools and mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic equipment; and
• Expert ability to maintain and repair power plant and related equipment and to troubleshoot a variety of mechanical problems.

Posting Open Date: November 11, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: November 25, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Mason Ad Statement

George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 research university committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous world. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, offering degree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level, along with certificates and credentials.

George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment for students, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. We believe in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancing our mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; and we believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity of origin, identity, circumstance, and thought.

Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Campus Safety Information

Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/