Building Technician, Sr. HVAC/R

Desert Research Institute•Reno, NV

48d•$65,607 - $95,577•Onsite

About The Position

The Desert Research Institute (DRI) is seeking a dedicated individual to fill a full-time Building Technician, Sr. HVAC/R position for the Reno campus. The Building Technician, Sr. HVAC/R is a key member of the facilities maintenance team, and is responsible for the installation, operation, inspection, maintenance, and repair of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) systems throughout the campus. This role ensures critical building systems perform reliably to support research and administration, safety, and regulatory compliance. This technician performs both scheduled preventive maintenance and emergency repair work and must be capable of independently diagnosing and resolving complex HVAC/R issues. As a senior-level technician, the individual may serve as a mentor to junior staff and act as a subject matter expert during system failures or emergency response. Mechanical systems include chillers, cooling towers, air handlers, furnaces, boilers, fan coil units, compressors, heat pumps, VAV boxes, walk in freezers and refrigerators, and related mechanical/electrical equipment such as variable frequency drives, motors, pumps and fans. This position is required to participate in a rotating on-call and respond to after hour alarms and emergencies. As a Sr. Building Technician, the incumbent is the first point of contact to independently respond to and resolve emergency service calls and alarms, taking appropriate action to minimize downtime, ensure continuous operations, staff comfort, and safety. In addition, the Sr. Building Technician - HVAC/R will be working in a team environment and will participate on all aspects of maintaining the facility when needed. Examples include leading in the remodeling and renovation of office and laboratory spaces, installation of scientific equipment and/or experimental setups. Tasks may also include moving furniture, light carpentry, carpet, drywall installation, painting and plumbing, in addition to HVAC/R systems, as well as other duties as assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
4 years of experience in the maintenance and repair of buildings, facilities, and equipment in a large hospital, laboratory, datacenter, educational or institutional facility.
EPA 608 Universal Certification
Obtain Niagara 4 Technical Certification for building automation system within 1-years of hire. This is a DRI paid training
Ability to read and interpret plans, schematics and maintenance manuals
Ability to follow oral and written instructions
Knowledge of construction safety standards and ability to strictly enforce all safety protocols
Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of personnel, including technical and academic staff
Proven experience working within a team environment

Nice To Haves

Associate Degree in HVAC/R or similar
Over 4 years of work experience in a large hospital, laboratory, educational or institutional facility
Hands-on experience in a variety of building trades, including plumbing, and electrical
Knowledge of controls, Building Automation Systems (BAS) and Direct Digital Controls (DDC), preferably with Tridium Niagara, Delta, or other.

Responsibilities

Independently perform preventative maintenance on all associated HVAC/R equipment; change air filters, bearing lubrication, belt replacement, equipment inspections, chiller tube bundle cleaning, compressor/condenser repair and installations, etc.
Independently respond and resolve work orders assigned by the for temperature, leaks, smells, repairs, etc.
HVAC Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) and calibration of laboratory fume hoods
Diagnose/Troubleshoot equipment failures, make repairs, and test system functionality using common HVACR meters, analyzers and equipment.
Perform maintenance and independently order necessary parts on a wide variety of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment including recycling refrigerant, replacing pipes & valves, replacement of compressors, brazing, soldering, replacing motors, programing VFDs, actuators and controls work.
Monitor and adjust the campus building HVAC system using the Building Automation System (BAS), aka Direct Digital Control (DDC) system, and diagnose issues while performing the duties of the operator.
Lead critical system shutdowns when assigned
Modifying existing mechanical systems
Maintain department budgets, supervise spending, and manage vendor purchasing accounts to maintain department fiscal accountability.
Ensure compliance with applicable EPA, NFPA, OSHA, NEC, codes and standards
Train and mentor the junior HVAC/R or other general maintenance staff
Other duties as assigned. May include, but is not limited to providing general assistance to department personnel, faculty and staff; provide for building safety and security as well as inspect and maintain emergency systems for the buildings and physical plant.

Benefits

DRI offers an excellent benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance (flexible spending and health savings account options available); PERS 19.25% retirement match, 10 hours of annual leave and 10 hours of sick leave accrued per month, 12 paid holidays, and educational benefits.
Additionally, there is no state income tax or social security deduction.
This position is eligible for relocation assistance.

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