Variable Frequency Drive Technician

University of Texas; Utah; On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive health benefits

Vision, dental, life insurance options

Paid vacation and holidays

Retirement program

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin seeks a Variable Frequency Drive Technician to install, commission, retrofit, program, test and troubleshoot VFDs and related electrical systems in a demanding utility environment.

You will perform journey-level installation, maintenance, and documentation while adhering to NEC/NFPA safety standards and UT policies. On-site schedule includes 40 hours weekly with day shifts.

Qualifications

• Five years of related journey-level experience in industrial or utility environments.
• Experience with installation, commissioning, retrofit, programming, testing, troubleshooting, repair, and preventive maintenance of VFDs and related equipment.
• Strong understanding of 3-phase power systems and NEC/NFPA standards.

Responsibilities

• Install, commission, retrofit, program, test, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain VFDs and motor starters.
• Lead internal projects as assigned and document procedures and settings.
• Maintain equipment data, as-built drawings, and spare parts inventory.
• Ensure safety policies and NFPA/NEC compliance in daily work.

Skills

Electrical systems

VFDs (Variable Frequency Drives)

Electrical safety standards

Maintenance

Job description

Job Posting Title: Variable Frequency Drive Technician ---- Hiring Department: Utilities and Energy Management ---- Position Open To: All Applicants ---- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 ---- FLSA Status: Non-Exempt from FLSA ---- Earliest Start Date: Immediately ---- Position Duration: Expected to Continue ---- Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details

Job Details: General Notes Who We Are We are “the power behind UT”. Utilities and Energy Management (UEM) provides reliable and cost-effective electricity, chilled water, steam, deionized water, compressed air, emergency power, and elevator services for The University of Texas at Austin. We have more than 170 employees in five divisions: Utilities Operations; Utilities Distribution; Power Systems, Controls, and Operating Technology; Finance and Administrative Services; and Engineering and Technical Services.

Who We Are Looking For We are seeking candidates who share the following core values: Safety: Commitment to the well-being of our fellow employees, ourselves, and the campus community. Respect: Treating everyone with fairness and dignity. Integrity: Transparency, honesty, trust and ethics in our work and our relationships. Reliability: Delivery of consistent, dependable, and uninterrupted services. Teamwork: Working together through cooperation, contribution, and the sharing of our knowledge. Excellence: Setting the highest standards through innovation, collaboration, forward-thinking, and stewardship. As a member of our team, you will be part of a globally recognized district energy system that serves a top-tier research university. We strive to provide a positive workplace culture that welcomes ideas, talent and perspectives – and we look forward to hearing from you! Security sensitive; three-year driving record and criminal background checks conducted on selected candidate. Hiring decision is contingent upon applicant clearing background checks and successfully complete a physical assessment, Lift/Carry 78 lbs., pull 125 lbs., lift 2-45 lbs. weights up ladder, kneeling work in confined spaces, and other tasks. Learn more about Utilities and Energy Management. Your skills will make a difference. You’ll be working for a university that is internationally recognized for our academic programs and research. Your work will make a difference in the lives of Campus Operations staff, thereby enhancing the student experience. If you’re the type of person that wants to know your work has earning and impact, you’ll like working in our department and for UT Austin.

Benefits

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with employer matching funds
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities.
• Tuition assistance
• Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
• Free access to UT Austin’s libraries and museums with staff ID card
• Free rides on all UT shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card

Work Conditions

• Uniform or PPE
• All weather conditions
• Extreme temperatures
• Chemical fumes
• Standard office
• Biohazards/chemicals
• Electrical/mechanical
• Keyboard Manual dexterity
• Climbing of stairs and ladders
• Lifting and moving
• May be required to work in confined spaces, manholes, tunnels, elevated work, extended shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• May be exposed to loud noise, high dust and allergen levels.
• Required to perform elevated work from ladders and/or scaffolds.
• Required to operate forklifts, personnel lifts and bridge cranes and operate other job related equipment.
• participate in on‑call program.
• Work Shift 40 hours a week, 9-80
• Work Schedule: Monday-Thursday 06:00 AM–03:30 PM and Every other Friday 06:00 AM–02:30 PM

Purpose

• Under Supervisor of Utilities, responsible for the installation, commissioning, retrofit, programming, testing, troubleshooting, repair, preventive maintenance, and document creation and revisions related to variable frequency drives and other electronic motor starters.
• Responsible for performing journey-level installation, retrofit, modification, inspection, preventive, and corrective maintenance of electrical and controls systems in a utility generation and distribution environment.
• Performs installation, commissioning, retrofit, and programming of variable frequency drives, electronic motor starters, and other electrical and controls related equipment.
• May be assigned to lead internal projects.
• Maintains compliance with NEC.
• Documents and maintains equipment data, installation as‑builts, and settings files.
• Performs testing, troubleshooting, repair, and preventive maintenance on variable frequency drives, electronic motor starters, and other electrical and controls related equipment.
• Performs maintenance activities following NFPA 70B maintenance standards.
• Performs journey-level installation, retrofit, modification, inspection, and preventive and corrective maintenance of electrical and controls systems.
• Informs appropriate personnel of unusual conditions, problems, or deficiencies and takes appropriate action.
• Keeps current on all changes to operating and maintenance procedures of all equipment.
• Procures, receives, and maintains inventory of relevant components, supplies, and tools.
• Completes purchase order request and work orders using automated systems.
• Reads, interprets, and updates equipment and system drawings.
• Proficient in use of a personal computer (Word, Excel, etc.).
• Review and update manuals, check sheets, procedures, and preventive maintenance instructions.
• Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Follows all University and UEM safety policies and procedures, take required safety training, and identifies and reports safety hazards.
• Complies with standards of workmanship and safety in the work place.
• Performs work tasks in a safe manner, wears appropriate personal protective equipment, and reports near misses and incidents.
• Identifies, reports, and corrects safety hazards.
• Works around hazardous materials, high temperatures, and loud environments.
• Performs elevated work on scaffolding, platforms, and personnel lifts.
• Works in confined spaces, including tunnels and man‑holes.
• Operates bridge‑cranes, hoists, forklifts and other equipment as required.
• Performs all electrical work adhering to the NFPA 70E standard for electrical safety in the workplace.
• Cleans and maintains all equipment, work areas, and vehicles.
• Maintains records of equipment repair, and inventory of spare parts and other materials.
• Works in conjunction with other trades and craft personnel in support of systems within a power and chill water production environment, utility tunnels, and campus buildings.
• Abides by Utilities and Energy Management's set of core values: Safety, Respect, Integrity, Reliability, Teamwork, and Excellence.
• Work effectively from a remote office or on campus.
• Drive university vehicle or cart.
• Maintain acceptable driver rating as established in Policy: UTS157 Section 2.5.4.
• Perform other related functions as assigned.
• Career Progression Program.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Attends staff meetings.
• Attends safety training or meetings.
• Attends plant operation and maintenance training courses.
• Carries provided cell phone and participates in rotating on‑call program.
• May be required to report to work at locations other than main campus.

Required Qualifications

• High school graduation or GED.
• Five years of related journey-level experience in an industrial or utility environment with primary experience in the installation, commissioning, retrofit, programming, testing, troubleshooting, repair, and preventive maintenance of low and medium voltage variable frequency drives and other electrical and controls related equipment.
• Strong understanding of 3-phase power systems, variable frequency drives, electrical safety standards, and National Electric Codes.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Variable frequency drive certified technician.
• Journeyman Electrician or Master Electrician License.
• Driving Required This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident.
• Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing).

Salary

Salary Range $75,000 + depending on qualifications

Work Shift

Work Shift 40 hours a week, 9-80

Work Schedule: Monday-Thursday 06:00 AM–03:30 PM and Every other Friday 06:00 AM–02:30 PM

Required Materials

• Resume/CV 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

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Named by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers for the sixth year in a row in 2025, UT offers both a dynamic work environment and a gateway to vibrant local culture. Whether you're at the forefront of the student experience, conducting world-changing research or supporting the engine that drives Texas’ flagship university, working at UT means making a lasting impact on our city, our state and our world. Our more than 20,000 faculty and staff empower 55,000+ students to challenge ideas, pursue passions and shape their futures. Joining UT, you’ll become part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on campus and throughout the world.

Comments and Inquiries

Email comments to [e-mail]. For questions or concerns regarding equal opportunity only, contact Equal Opportunity Services. Additional information for applicants can be found on the Human Resources web page: Applying for Employment. For more job information, call the Human Resource Service Center at [phone], or toll-free at [phone]. UT Austin is a Tobacco-free Campus