Lead Plant Maintenance Technician

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory • Berkeley, CA

9d • $70 • Onsite

About The Position

The Facilities Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) plays a vital role in supporting the Laboratory's mission of scientific discovery. As part of the Facilities Plant Maintenance group, our dedicated team oversees, maintains, and operates critical building systems and facility infrastructure to ensure a safe, reliable, and cutting-edge environment for world-class research. We are seeking a Lead Plant Maintenance Technician to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will provide leadership, oversight, and direction to assigned plant maintenance personnel, ensuring work is executed safely and efficiently to high standards. You will assign daily work using computerized maintenance software (e.g., Maximo), perform pre-job safety briefs, collaborate across multidisciplinary craft teams, and maintain critical equipment and systems across the Lab. This is an exceptional opportunity to utilize your technical expertise in plant operations while serving as a key operational leader within a world-renowned national laboratory. We’re here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

Requirements

• Minimum of four years of work experience in the field of maintenance, plant operations, installation, or fabrication and/or completion of a recognized four-year apprenticeship program in plant maintenance and/or completion of an accredited two-year program with three years of work experience, or an equivalent combination of documentable military or industrial training and work experience.
• Experience and understanding of the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of varied mechanical systems, including but not limited to fan-powered air handler systems and exhaust blowers, hydronic systems and pumps, air compressors and vacuum pumps, water heaters, and boilers.
• Must have a valid California Driver's License.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to organize, plan, assign, monitor, and direct the work of other team members.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong conflict resolution and customer service skills.
• Demonstrated analytical skills.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to work on complex issues independently.
• Good communication skills, both verbal and in writing, including the ability to produce reports and present the status to various levels. Able to communicate clearly over telephone and two-way radio.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to determine the need and create solutions to technical issues.
• Ability to use computers effectively for record-keeping and communication.
• Able to walk, climb stairs, ladders, and scaffolds, work at heights, in confined spaces, around rotating equipment, under fluorescent and other artificial lighting, and able to bend, stoop, kneel, and crawl.
• Must have manual dexterity in both hands.
• Distinguish colors adequately to utilize color coding.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of LBNL Facilities layout, operations, key personnel, procedures governing procurements, safety programs, and facilities design requirements.
• Experience or familiarity with working in a union environment.
• Experience with delegating work, leading, or supervising a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a PMT shift of up to 10 employees, overseeing work planning, execution, and closeout.
• Assign and track daily work using CMMS tools (e.g., Maximo, Akwire, DataSplice).
• Coordinate weekly schedules with supervisors and planners to ensure adequate staffing and resources.
• Conduct pre-job and safety briefings; identify and mitigate hazards in partnership with EHS, FAMs, and supervisors.
• Train, mentor, and develop staff while ensuring required certifications and training remain current.
• Represent the PMT team in meetings and job walks, providing technical guidance and communicating outcomes.
• Obtain material and parts quotes, support procurement, and coordinate resources for planned and minor maintenance work.
• Collaborate with craft leads, Facilities, Engineering, Project Management, contractors, vendors, and researchers to ensure safe, efficient execution of multi-craft work.
• Manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision and communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Perform advanced maintenance, inspection, testing, and operation of critical building systems; monitor Building Automation Systems and respond to alarms.
• Ensure compliance with Laboratory policies and all applicable health, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, including completing required training.
• Independently operate, maintain, and repair various mechanical systems and equipment across the Lab.
• Perform various preventive or corrective maintenance tasks on a wide variety of fixed and portable equipment.
• Fabricate unique components using commonly available hand and/or machine tools.

Benefits

• Exceptional health and retirement benefits, including pension or 401K-style plans
• Opportunities to grow in your career - check out our Tuition Assistance Program
• A culture where you’ll belong - we are invested in our teams!
• In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, we also have a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year.
• Parental bonding leave (for both mothers and fathers)
• Pet insurance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree