ES III - HVAC/R Mechanical Services Lead Technician

Colorado State University•Fort Collins, CO

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Facilities Management is entrusted with the development, care, maintenance, and operation of Colorado State University’s physical properties. Our purpose is to create and sustain environments that support CSU’s land-grant mission, fostering the success of students, faculty, and staff through world-class academic, research, and outreach programs. As a lead technical expert, this position provides leadership and mentorship to a multidisciplinary team of HVAC mechanics and electronics specialists by serving as a Work Lead on the team. This position assists with administrative operations such as scheduling, timecard approval, and work order management. The role involves performing high-level diagnostics, repairs, and preventative maintenance on complex mechanical and electrical systems, including advanced digital control interfaces for FDA-validated environments. The incumbent exercises significant autonomy in decision-making, determining cost-effective repair strategies for campus equipment up to $5,000 and prioritizing shop workflows to ensure peak operational efficiency. By interfacing with diverse vendors and trade management, this position ensures the continued reliability of critical campus infrastructure and maintains high levels of customer satisfaction.

Requirements

Experience Only: Three (3) years of progressive technical experience in the maintenance, repair, and optimization of HVAC/R systems and Building Automation Systems (BAS) OR Education and Experience: A combination of related education and/or progressive technical experience in the maintenance, repair, and optimization of HVAC/R systems and Building Automation Systems (BAS) equal to three (3) years.
Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Pre-employment Physical
Valid Driver’s License
Essential Services Designation – Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services.
Must be able to obtain Select Agent/Tier 1 Security Clearances for BSL3 Facilities on Main, Foothills and South Campuses.
Federal Background Check.
A Federal Security Clearance for access to Federal Buildings within six months of hire.
Works in person

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated leadership experience
Universal Refrigeration License
Experience with programming and commissioning a variety of direct digital controls
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Demonstrated ability to deliver high quality customer service
Seven (7) years of commercial or institutional buildings HVAC/R experience
Directly related state service

Responsibilities

Provides leadership, technical support and mentoring to shop personnel, which includes Electronic Specialist, HVAC Journeyman Mechanics and HVAC Apprentices.
Assists the supervisor by approving leave requests and timecards, assigning work orders, ensuring all required shifts are covered, all shop duties are fulfilled.
Interacts with Customers and Trades management, ensuring quality service and maintains customer satisfaction while maintaining all campus buildings.
Interfaces with complex digital control systems from a variety of different vendors and possesses the ability to repair and modify Building Automation Systems including both Johnson Controls Metasys and OPC technology for FDA validated environments.
Understands complex equipment electrical/electronic and mechanical schematics to troubleshoot, repair various types of air conditioning and refrigeration systems and mechanical/electrical and electronic components.
Diagnoses and repairs pumps, cooling towers, refrigerant and water piping, walk-in refrigerators, starters, coils, environmental chambers, ice machines, window AC’s water coolers, and other various cooling equipment.
Operates electrical, pneumatic and electronic control systems for gas and hot water heating system, air conditioning and ventilation systems including fume hoods.
Operates heating and ventilation equipment to include steam, hydronic and gas fired systems.
Perform scheduled, and nonscheduled preventive Maintenance on HVAC/R and Pneumatic equipment.
Clean air intake as needed, check RTU blower motors, and condenser motor.
Inspect the condition of all electrical hardware and connections, Test safety controls and equipment, check for proper operation of the interior unit, check the condensate drain pan for proper drainage.
During the cooling season, inspect the condenser motor bearings for excessive noise or vibration, Inspect the condenser air intake, discharge and coil as required.
Check the condition of all refrigerant piping and insulation.
Secure any loose guards or access panels.
Check the operation of the exterior unit.
Making sure units and work areas such as mechanical rooms are clean and orderly.