Maintenance Mechanic II

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research•Boulder, CO

1d•$73,140 - $91,430

About The Position

The Maintenance Mechanic II performs installation, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and operation of commercial and semi-industrial mechanical systems, including HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, boilers, hydronic systems, pumps, and associated equipment. The role independently diagnoses complex mechanical system 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 position also performs mechanical work for renovations, equipment replacements, infrastructure improvements, and small construction projects; coordinates work with other trades, Engineering, project managers, contractors, and facility occupants; and maintains accurate maintenance, equipment, safety, and work records. The role requires responding to emergencies that may occur at night, on weekends, or on holidays.

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 commercial, institutional, industrial, or facilities mechanical maintenance experience, or an equivalent combination of 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 driving record compliant with UCAR's 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 functions, including 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 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 mechanical work and recognize deficiencies and recommend corrective actions.
Ability to follow safety requirements, including lockout/tagout and safe refrigerant handling practices.
Ability to communicate technical information verbally and in writing and document findings, corrective actions, and equipment conditions accurately.
Ability to work independently with limited supervision and contribute effectively to a multidisciplinary maintenance team.
Ability to prioritize maintenance issues based on safety, operational impact, and equipment criticality; respond promptly and minimize disruption to facility operations.
Ability to maintain positive working relationships with 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 commissioning, starting up, troubleshooting, and optimizing 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, boiler, hydronic, and closed-loop heating and cooling systems.
Diagnose mechanical 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 components.
Perform scheduled preventive and predictive maintenance and recommend corrective work to improve system reliability and reduce unplanned failures.
Monitor and adjust chemical levels for water treatment and mechanical systems as required.
Use BAS platforms to monitor equipment, review alarms and trends, adjust operating parameters, and assist in diagnosing mechanical and controls-related problems.
Troubleshoot interactions among mechanical equipment, controls, sensors, actuators, and BAS sequences; coordinate with Controls, Electrical, Engineering, and contractors as needed.
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.
Assess system failures and take appropriate immediate corrective action to protect people, research activities, facilities, and equipment.
Establish temporary operating configurations or install temporary mechanical infrastructure 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 contractors.
Participate in applicable safety, emergency response, and incident-response training.
Perform mechanical work for renovations, equipment replacements, infrastructure improvements, and small construction projects under $250,000.
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; assist with startup, commissioning, functional testing, and verification of mechanical systems.
Coordinate mechanical activities with UCAR trades, Engineering, project managers, contractors, and facility occupants; report field conditions that could affect project scope, schedule, cost, safety, or operation.
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 equipment records.
Provide technical guidance and knowledge transfer to less-experienced employees as needed.