Maintenance Mechanic II

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)•Boulder, CO

4d•$73,140 - $91,430

About The Position

UCAR is hiring a Maintenance Mechanic II to install, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and operate commercial and semi-industrial mechanical systems. Systems include HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, boilers, hydronic systems, pumps, and associated equipment. The position independently diagnoses and resolves complex mechanical problems, uses Building Automation Systems (BAS) for monitoring and troubleshooting, and provides technical guidance to other maintenance personnel as needed. It supports critical facility operations across multiple UCAR|NSF NCAR locations and participates in after-hours on-call rotations and emergency response activities. The role also performs maintenance and repair work for facility renovations, equipment replacements, infrastructure improvements, and small construction projects under $250,000. It coordinates work with other UCAR trades, Engineering personnel, project managers, contractors, and facility occupants, and documents work, equipment conditions, deficiencies, and corrective actions. The position requires responding to emergencies that may occur at night, on weekends, or on holidays, and requires the ability to work in varied facility locations, including rooftops and elevated areas.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Completion of a recognized HVAC/mechanical technical school program, applicable apprenticeship, or equivalent combination of technical education and experience.
Journey-level mechanical worker with at least six years of progressively responsible experience in commercial, institutional, industrial, or facilities mechanical maintenance, or equivalent education, apprenticeship training, and experience.
Experience with critical facility HVAC systems and infrastructure.
Demonstrated experience independently troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing commercial HVAC and mechanical building systems.
Experience with boilers, hydronic systems, pumps, air handling equipment, refrigeration equipment, plumbing systems, and associated controls.
Experience using BAS systems in mechanical system operation and troubleshooting.
Valid Colorado Driver's License and a driving record that meets UCAR liability insurance requirements.
Current EPA Section 608 certification appropriate for assigned refrigeration work.
Advanced working knowledge of commercial HVAC and mechanical building systems, including air handlers, split systems, mini-split systems, and water pumps.
Working knowledge of BAS equipment monitoring, alarm review, trending, setpoint adjustment, and troubleshooting.
Working knowledge of boiler systems and associated pumps, valves, controls, and hydronic distribution systems.
Working knowledge of commercial refrigeration systems, refrigeration cycles, compressors, metering devices, and associated controls.
Working knowledge of commercial plumbing systems and mechanical piping.
Ability to independently troubleshoot mechanical equipment and system failures.
Ability to interpret mechanical drawings, piping diagrams, equipment schematics, sequences of operation, building layouts, technical manuals, and operational flow diagrams.
Knowledge of pumps, motors, bearings, valves, actuators, heat exchangers, air handling equipment, and related mechanical components.
Skill and experience using hand tools, power tools, diagnostic instruments, ladders, personal protective equipment, and equipment commonly used in commercial facilities maintenance.
Ability to safely perform high-quality, craftsman-like mechanical work.
Ability to recognize mechanical system deficiencies and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
Ability to understand and follow safety requirements, including lockout/tagout and safe refrigerant handling practices.
Ability to communicate technical information clearly verbally and in writing to maintenance personnel, supervisors, contractors, Engineering staff, and facility occupants.
Ability to accurately document troubleshooting findings, corrective actions, and equipment conditions.
Ability to work independently with limited supervision and contribute effectively to a multidisciplinary maintenance team.
Ability to provide technical guidance and knowledge transfer to less-experienced employees.
Ability to prioritize maintenance issues based on safety, operational impact, and equipment criticality.
Ability to respond promptly to work requests and perform work with minimal disruption to facility operations.
Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with UCAR staff, contractors, and other stakeholders.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds for 20 feet.
Ability to work from ladders, scaffolds, elevated platforms, mechanical spaces, rooftops, and other locations associated with commercial facilities maintenance.
Willingness and ability to participate in on-call rotations and respond to after-hours emergencies, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Nice To Haves

Universal EPA Section 608 Certification.
Associate degree, technical degree, or advanced trade education in HVAC, mechanical systems, refrigeration, or a related field.
Advanced experience with Building Automation or Energy Management Systems.
Experience with commissioning, equipment startup, troubleshooting, and optimization of commercial mechanical systems.
Experience with Siemens Desigo CC or similar BAS platforms.
Experience troubleshooting HVAC control sequences, sensors, actuators, VFDs, and equipment integration issues.
OSHA 10- or 30-Hour General Industry Course Certificate.
NATE certification or equivalent HVAC industry certification.
Experience in research, laboratory, data center, institutional, industrial, or other critical facility environments.
Experience mentoring or providing technical guidance to less-experienced mechanical maintenance personnel.
Proficiency with Google Workspace applications and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).

Responsibilities

Independently install, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and operate commercial HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, pneumatic, hydraulic, steam and hot-water boiler, hydronic, and closed-loop heating and cooling systems.
Diagnose equipment and system failures using troubleshooting methods, technical documentation, operating data, and field measurements.
Maintain and repair air handling units, rooftop units, pumps, motors, valves, heat exchangers, coils, compressors, refrigeration equipment, and related mechanical components.
Perform preventive and predictive maintenance according to schedules, manufacturer recommendations, equipment condition, and facility requirements.
Identify developing equipment problems and recommend repairs or maintenance to improve reliability and reduce unplanned failures.
Monitor and adjust chemical levels associated with water treatment and mechanical systems as required.
Use BAS platforms to monitor equipment, review alarms and trends, adjust operating parameters, and help diagnose mechanical and controls-related problems.
Troubleshoot interactions among mechanical equipment, controls, sensors, actuators, and BAS sequences; coordinate with Controls, Electrical, Engineering, and contractors when necessary.
Perform refrigeration service in accordance with EPA requirements and UCAR procedures.
Participate in scheduled on-call rotations and respond to after-hours mechanical and facility emergencies, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Independently assess mechanical system failures and take appropriate immediate corrective action to protect personnel, research activities, facilities, and equipment.
Establish temporary operating configurations or install temporary mechanical infrastructure when needed to maintain critical operations during failures, construction, or planned outages.
Escalate complex or high-risk conditions to the Mechanical Supervisor, Facilities leadership, Safety, Engineering, Controls, Electrical, or appropriate contractors.
Participate in safety, emergency response, and incident-response training relevant to mechanical system operations.
Perform mechanical work for facility renovations, equipment replacements, infrastructure improvements, and small construction projects.
Install, modify, relocate, or repair mechanical equipment, piping, valves, pumps, sheet metal, ductwork, controls components, and related infrastructure.
Review drawings, specifications, equipment documentation, and project requirements for assigned work.
Assist with equipment startup, commissioning, functional testing, and verification of newly installed or modified mechanical systems.
Coordinate mechanical activities with UCAR trades, Engineering personnel, project managers, contractors, and facility occupants.
Identify field conditions that may affect project scope, schedule, cost, safety, or system operation and communicate them to the appropriate project lead.
Maintain required licenses, certifications, records, inspection documentation, and logs in accordance with UCAR requirements and applicable regulations.
Participate in required safety, technical, equipment operator, and professional development training.
Document labor hours, work performed, materials used, equipment conditions, deficiencies, and corrective actions in UCAR's Facilities Operations Management system.
Maintain accurate maintenance and equipment records to support asset history and future troubleshooting.