Building Engineer Class 1

Housing Authority of New Orleans•New Orleans, LA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Building Engineer Class 1 is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and regulatory compliance of all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems within an assigned housing authority residential building. This role ensures the safety, comfort, and structural integrity of the property by overseeing critical infrastructure such as elevators, water pumps, and multi‑zone HVAC systems. Reporting to the Area Maintenance Manager, the Class 1 Engineer serves as the on‑site technical authority, coordinating third‑party service providers and ensuring the building meets all federal housing inspection standards.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED
Five to seven years of verifiable experience in commercial building engineering or high‑density residential facility maintenance
A First Class Boiler License
A First Class Air Conditioning and Refrigeration License
EPA Universal Section 608 Certification

Nice To Haves

Completion of a trade school program in mechanical or electrical engineering

Responsibilities

Performs skilled technical work to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot building mechanical, electrical, plumbing, elevator, fire‑life safety, and emergency power systems across housing authority properties.
Operates and maintains boilers, hydronic heating loops, domestic hot water heaters, and circulating pumps, including monitoring performance and addressing issues proactively.
Conducts combustion checks, test all boiler safety devices, perform seasonal startup and shutdown procedures, and ensure full compliance with boiler codes, regulatory requirements, and scheduled inspection protocols.
Troubleshoots, diagnoses, and service rooftop units, split systems, makeup air units, PTAC units, and heat pumps.
Performs seasonal HVAC changeovers and routine preventive maintenance such as filter replacements, belt changes, lubrication, coil cleaning, and airflow balancing to extend equipment lifespan and improve efficiency.
Monitors, adjusts, and optimizes Building Management Systems to maintain occupant comfort, enhance equipment performance, and reduce overall energy consumption.
Inspects, maintains, and repairs electrical panels, breakers, feeders, lighting systems, and emergency power circuits to uphold system reliability and code compliance.
Diagnoses and repairs commercial electrical systems up to 480V, including motor control centers, emergency lighting networks, and associated building power infrastructure.
Supports generator‑to‑building interface operations including testing and verifying the functionality of automatic transfer switches to ensure seamless transition during power outages.
Maintains domestic water booster pumps, multi‑stage pump assemblies, and pressure‑reducing valves to ensure consistent and reliable water pressure across facilities.
Manages high‑rise drainage systems, sanitary stacks, waste vents, and storm drains to prevent backups and ensure safe and sanitary building conditions.
Responds promptly to leaks, clogs, pressure abnormalities, pump failures, and fixture malfunctions, performing corrective repairs to restore proper operation.
Serves as the on‑site liaison for third‑party elevator contractors servicing traction and hydraulic elevator systems, ensuring adherence to maintenance schedules and safety standards.
Coordinates, witnesses, and documents municipal elevator inspections, state certifications, and annual full‑load safety tests, maintaining complete and accurate compliance records.
Acts as the first responder to elevator entrapments, following authorized containment and extraction procedures to ensure occupant safety.
Performs visual and operational inspections of elevator cabs, door tracks, hoist way doors, communication devices, and machine room equipment to identify issues and support safe function.
Oversees readiness and performance of fire alarm control panels, annunciators, sprinkler standpipes, and fire pumps to maintain full fire and life‑safety system functionality.
Conducts routine testing of pull stations, smoke detectors, and fire alarm control systems, maintaining inspection logs and ensuring all systems meet applicable fire code and life‑safety requirements.
Executes weekly no‑load and monthly under‑load generator testing, maintain compliance logs, and verifies standby power availability for elevators, emergency lighting, fire pumps, and other critical systems.
Performs other duties as assigned.