Building Automation Technician

Salary/Position Classification

• 55,000+ Annual, Dependent on Experience, Non-Exempt (Eligible for overtime)
• 40 hours per week
• 100% Remote Work Availability: No
• Hybrid Work Availability (requires some time on campus): No

Purpose of Position

This is a technician position, which is necessary for installing, retrofitting, and maintaining the campus building automation systems. Campus automation is provided for heating, Ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, security systems, elevators, fire alarm systems, and other mechanical systems. This requires analyzing mechanical and electronic equipment as it relates to control by the building automation systems. Maintaining appropriate documents, database files, archives, and as-built drawings according to standards. Ordering related parts and equipment, as related to the repair and maintenance of systems. Providing technical support and training to operators and technicians. Supervising student staff and/ or temporary help. This position also provides backup support for the central automation servers and workstations. This is an on-call position and is subject to 24-hour call-backs on a rotational schedule.

This position requires an electronic technician who has a well-versed knowledge of electronic controls, computer systems, operating systems, and application programs. Experience with building automation systems is highly desired. In addition, strong knowledge of electronic components, DDC controllers, programmable logic controllers, and sensors is needed. General knowledge of mechanical system operation of air handling units, steam heat exchangers, boilers, chillers, cooling towers, direct expansion cooling units, and other associated mechanical equipment is desired to evaluate the use of the automation system. Computer programming knowledge is required to evaluate how the electronic hardware controls the mechanical equipment. Networking knowledge is preferred to understand how the building controllers communicate with each other and back to the UND BAS (Building Automation System) front-end.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Building Automation and Controls Field Maintenance and Installation Install, retrofit, and maintain the campus building automation systems (including pulling of wire).
• Perform daily maintenance and scheduled preventive maintenance for HVAC sensors, pressure switches, transducers, steam pressures transmitters, totalizers, and other various automation sensors and devices.
• Evaluate HVAC systems and other systems controlled by the automation for the purpose of troubleshooting the automation programs interface with the mechanical equipment.
• Install, maintain, and troubleshoot automation communications plant (copper, fiber & Ethernet), controller bus communications, DDC controllers, programmable logic controllers, and all automation controllers.
• Install, maintain, and troubleshoot surge suppression and battery backup systems to protect electronic equipment for low voltages and coordinate this work with the Electricians for high voltages.
• Coordinate projects and maintenance with university departments and trades.
• Use computers, software, oscilloscopes, meters, and other test equipment to analyze the automation system.
• Ordering associated with automation parts and stock items.
• Maintain building automation installation/ maintenance policies and standards.
• Create, maintain, and review archives and as-built drawings according to standards.
• Provide technical support to other areas within the department.
• Train and assist other department staffs who use automation. 
• Downloading and Programming Program fire security and HVAC controls to be installed in PLCs (programmable logic controllers) and other systems for the purpose of control, monitoring, and energy management.
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and correct programming items for mechanical building controls, system monitoring, and energy management.
• Evaluate HVAC systems and other systems controlled by the automation for the purpose of troubleshooting the automation programs interface with the mechanical equipment.
• Relay programming information in general terms to other departmental units within Facilities Management who use the automation systems to control equipment.
• Download and install programs for the purpose of control, monitoring, and energy management.
• Maintain programming databases according to set procedures.
• Create and maintain proper documentation and as-builts according to standards.
• Create, edit, update, and maintain information databases.
• Edit programs for the addition and changes of descriptors, point offset values, alarm limits, and alarm priority.
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