Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Building Maintenance Assistant

💰 $ - $

FacilitiesMaintenanceBuilding Services

🎯 Role Definition

The Building Maintenance Assistant provides hands-on support to keep commercial and residential properties safe, functional, and attractive. Working under the supervision of a Facilities Manager or Lead Technician, this role executes preventive maintenance, routine repairs, safety inspections, and vendor coordination across mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, and grounds systems. The ideal candidate is proactive, safety-focused, skilled with hand and power tools, familiar with CMMS/work-order systems, and able to communicate clearly with tenants, contractors, and management.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Maintenance Technician Trainee or Apprentice
  • Building Porter / Janitorial Lead
  • Groundsperson or General Handyman

Advancement To:

  • Building Maintenance Technician / Facilities Technician
  • Lead Maintenance Technician / Shift Supervisor
  • Facilities Coordinator / Facilities Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • HVAC Service Technician
  • Electrical Maintenance Technician
  • Plumbing Assistant / Pipefitter Apprentice

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform routine and preventive maintenance tasks across building systems—including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, and glazing—following established schedules and checklists to minimize equipment downtime and prolong asset life.
  • Respond promptly to tenant and client service requests and work orders via the CMMS/work-order system, diagnose issues, perform repairs when appropriate, and escalate complex problems to senior technicians.
  • Conduct thorough safety and condition inspections of mechanical rooms, boilers, chillers, rooftop units, and building exteriors, identify hazards and code violations, and document findings with recommended corrective actions.
  • Replace lighting, ballasts, bulbs, sensors, and fixtures using appropriate wiring and safety procedures, ensuring proper illumination levels in common areas, offices, and emergency egress paths.
  • Perform basic plumbing repairs including unclogging drains, repairing toilets and faucets, replacing seals and valves, and responding to minor leaks to prevent property damage and maintain occupant comfort.
  • Assist with basic electrical troubleshooting and repairs under supervision, including outlet and switch replacement, motor starters, conduit routing, circuit tracing, and maintaining accurate records of electrical work performed.
  • Support HVAC preventive maintenance: replace filters, clean coils and condensate pans, check belts and pulleys, verify thermostat operation, and report refrigerant or compressor issues to certified technicians.
  • Complete carpentry and building fabric repairs such as door adjustments, lock replacements, drywall patching, cabinet repairs, trim work, and weatherproofing to uphold building aesthetics and functionality.
  • Operate hand and power tools, lifts, and ladders safely to complete maintenance, repair, and installation tasks in accordance with company protocols and OSHA regulations.
  • Assist with grounds maintenance tasks including snow removal, salting, mowing, pruning, and seasonal cleanups to maintain safe, accessible exterior spaces and site drainage.
  • Monitor and document building system performance (temperatures, pressure, water usage, energy anomalies), report irregularities, and assist with energy conservation initiatives and building automation system adjustments under direction.
  • Maintain inventory of maintenance supplies, parts, and tools; process material requisitions; track usage in inventory logs; and coordinate deliveries to ensure parts availability for scheduled and emergency work.
  • Clean and maintain mechanical spaces, tool rooms, and storage areas; dispose of waste and used materials properly according to hazardous materials procedures and MSDS guidance.
  • Assist with scheduled shutdowns, tenant move-ins/move-outs, remodels, and special projects by setting up scaffolding, protecting finished surfaces, coordinating temporary services, and completing punch-list items.
  • Coordinate with external contractors and vendors—scheduling access, verifying scope, monitoring work quality, and documenting compliance with site standards—while escalating contractual or safety concerns to the Facilities Manager.
  • Maintain accurate maintenance logs, inspection records, repair histories, and work-order documentation in CMMS and communicate status updates to management and stakeholders.
  • Execute emergency building response procedures including water intrusion mitigation, electrical shutdowns, HVAC failures, and urgent safety issues; perform initial triage and support restoration efforts until senior technicians or contractors arrive.
  • Test, inspect, and report on life safety and fire protection systems (e.g., fire extinguishers, exit signs, emergency lighting, sprinkler valve accessibility) and coordinate with licensed vendors for annual inspections and repairs.
  • Follow lockout/tagout protocols, confined-space entry procedures, and other safety programs; attend safety meetings and complete required training to maintain compliance with OSHA and company safety standards.
  • Provide courteous tenant and customer service: communicate clearly regarding service times, expected outcomes, and follow-up actions; document tenant interactions; and escalate unresolved issues appropriately.
  • Assist in implementing continuous improvement initiatives for maintenance operations, including preventive maintenance schedule optimization, spare parts rationalization, and minor process documentation updates.
  • Support inventory control and procurement processes by identifying obsolete or critical spare parts, recommending replacements, and assisting with receiving and stocking parts per asset management guidelines.
  • Participate in training programs to develop technical competencies (electrical, HVAC, plumbing, CMMS use) and cross-train on specialty equipment to increase on-site coverage and reduce external service costs.
  • Ensure compliance with environmental regulations by handling and disposing of wastes (oils, solvents, refrigerants) per EPA and local guidelines and maintain records of disposed materials and vendor manifests.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with basic tenant event setups and furniture moves, including safe lifting techniques and temporary power/lighting arrangements.
  • Support building security tasks such as daily building checks, locking/unlocking doors, and reporting suspicious activity to site management.
  • Help maintain landscaping and irrigation systems at a basic level and log issues that require horticultural or irrigation contractor attention.
  • Provide administrative support for the facilities team: maintain maintenance forms, update contact lists, and assist with vendor invoicing documentation.
  • Participate in regular team meetings and contribute suggestions to reduce maintenance costs and improve tenant satisfaction.
  • Cross-train to cover shift absences, ensuring continuity of operations for night or weekend on-call rotations as required.
  • Assist with basic painting and surface preparation for routine cosmetic repairs and touch-ups to maintain a consistent building appearance.
  • Support lease turnover and unit preparation tasks—cleaning, minor repairs, and inspections—to expedite re-occupancy and minimize vacancy time.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Preventive maintenance execution and troubleshooting for building systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical).
  • Basic HVAC maintenance knowledge (filter changes, belt replacement, coil cleaning) and familiarity with HVAC controls.
  • Plumbing repair skills including drain clearing, fixture replacement, and minor pipe repair.
  • Basic electrical skills: outlet/switch replacement, circuit troubleshooting, and safe wire handling.
  • Carpentry and general repair skills: drywall, door/frame adjustments, trim, and cabinetry.
  • Proficiency with CMMS/work-order systems (e.g., ServiceNow, FM:Systems, UpKeep, Hippo) for creating, updating, and closing work orders.
  • Safe operation of hand and power tools, ladders, lifts, and basic material handling equipment.
  • Knowledge of safety protocols: lockout/tagout, confined space awareness, PPE use, and OSHA regulations.
  • Ability to read and interpret basic blueprints, equipment manuals, wiring diagrams, and maintenance schematics.
  • Inventory management and parts requisitioning, including basic procurement practices and vendor coordination.
  • Fire and life-safety system awareness—checking exit signs, emergency lighting, and basic sprinkler access.
  • Familiarity with environmental and hazardous materials handling, including MSDS interpretation and proper disposal.
  • Basic IT literacy: mobile work-order apps, email, spreadsheets (Excel) and photo documentation.
  • Certification-ready technical knowledge (e.g., EPA 608 refrigerant handling standards, OSHA 10/30 basics).

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality workmanship.
  • Effective verbal and written communication to interact with tenants, contractors, and team members.
  • Customer-service orientation with professional demeanor under time pressure.
  • Problem-solving mindset with the ability to triage issues and prioritize repairs.
  • Time management and organization skills to balance recurring tasks and urgent requests.
  • Team player who can both take direction and work independently when required.
  • Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities, seasonal workloads, and emergency shifts.
  • Dependability and punctuality, especially for on-call and emergency response duties.
  • Continuous learning attitude toward technical upskilling and certification attainment.
  • Physical stamina and ability to perform manual labor, lift moderate weights, climb ladders, and work in varying environmental conditions.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

  • Vocational or technical certificate in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, or facilities maintenance.
  • Associate degree in Facilities Management, Building Systems Technology, or a related trade.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Facilities Management
  • HVAC Technology
  • Electrical or Mechanical Trades
  • Construction Technology
  • Building Systems Engineering (technical coursework)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1–3 years of hands-on building maintenance, trades, or facilities support experience.

Preferred:

  • 2–5 years in commercial or multi-family residential building maintenance or a facilities role with demonstrated experience in preventive maintenance, CMMS usage, and tenant/customer service.

Certifications (preferred or strongly recommended):

  • EPA 608 (for work involving refrigerants)
  • OSHA 10-hour or 30-hour General Industry
  • First Aid/CPR/AED
  • Relevant vocational certificates (HVAC, electrical, plumbing)
Explore More Careers