Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Building Maintenance Technician

🎯 Role Definition

A Building Maintenance Technician is a hands-on facilities professional responsible for the safe, reliable and efficient operation of building systems and infrastructure. Typical duties include preventive and corrective maintenance of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, life-safety systems and building automation systems (BAS). The role requires mechanical aptitude, effective communication with tenants and vendors, strict adherence to safety and compliance standards (OSHA, NFPA, EPA), and strong organizational skills to manage work orders and maintenance documentation in a CMMS. This position supports occupant comfort, asset longevity and operational continuity across commercial, institutional or multi-family properties.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Junior Maintenance Technician / Maintenance Assistant
HVAC Helper or Apprentice
Building or Property Caretaker / Custodian

Advancement To:

Senior Building Maintenance Technician / Lead Technician
Facilities Supervisor / Facilities Coordinator
Building Engineer / Maintenance Manager

Lateral Moves:

HVAC Service Technician
Electrical Maintenance Technician
Boiler/Chiller Operator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform scheduled preventive maintenance and inspections across HVAC systems (rooftop units, split systems, chillers, boilers, condensers) to ensure equipment reliability, optimize energy efficiency, and extend asset life.
Diagnose, troubleshoot and repair electrical systems including lighting, receptacles, breakers, panelboards, starters, motors, and variable frequency drives in compliance with the National Electrical Code and local regulations.
Inspect, service and repair plumbing infrastructure, including faucets, valves, drains, backflow prevention assemblies, water heaters, pumps and sewage ejectors, while minimizing disruption to building occupants.
Execute carpentry and general building repairs such as drywall patching, door and frame adjustments, window repairs, cabinet and trim work, and preventive sealing to maintain property appearance and safety.
Respond to prioritized work orders from the CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) and complete corrective actions with clear documentation, photos and parts tracking.
Maintain and calibrate life-safety and fire protection systems (fire alarms, smoke detectors, emergency lighting, exit signs) and coordinate annual inspections and testing with certified contractors to ensure NFPA compliance.
Perform HVACR refrigerant handling and recovery tasks in accordance with EPA 608 regulations, including leak detection, refrigerant charging and documentation.
Troubleshoot and maintain building automation and controls (BAS/EMS), adjust setpoints, log alarms, and collaborate with controls contractors to optimize system performance and occupant comfort.
Conduct routine roof, gutter and exterior envelope inspections; identify and remediate leaks, flashing issues and water intrusion to protect building structure and finishes.
Operate and maintain boilers, domestic hot water systems, and associated controls; monitor combustion efficiency, water chemistry and schedule preventative boiler cleanings.
Test, inspect and service emergency power systems including backup generators and automatic transfer switches; perform load tests and fuel system checks per manufacturer recommendations.
Maintain inventory of spare parts, repair materials and maintenance supplies; place purchase requests, track vendor lead times, and minimize downtime by anticipating critical spare needs.
Coordinate and supervise external contractors and vendors for specialty repairs, capital projects and certified inspections; ensure scope, safety protocols and quality of work meet organizational standards.
Implement energy conservation and sustainability initiatives such as lighting retrofits, occupancy sensors, HVAC scheduling and building envelope improvements to lower utility costs and support ESG goals.
Respond to after-hours and emergency maintenance calls for water damage, HVAC failure, electrical outages and security breaches — assess, mitigate, and document corrective actions.
Maintain accurate maintenance records, equipment manuals, warranty documentation and preventive maintenance logs to support audits and capital planning.
Perform basic HVAC system controls programming and ladder logic adjustments under supervision, and escalate complex BAS programming issues to controls engineers.
Maintain exterior grounds and site systems including snow removal coordination, irrigation checks, and minor landscaping tasks to preserve safe access and curb appeal.
Ensure compliance with OSHA, local building codes, environmental regulations and corporate safety policies by performing lock-out/tag-out, confined space entry precautions, and hazard reporting.
Train and mentor junior maintenance staff and apprentices; delegate tasks, provide technical guidance, and enforce safety and quality standards.
Conduct post-repair quality assurance checks and follow up with building occupants to confirm issue resolution and satisfaction.
Assist with small capital projects and space reconfigurations (drop ceilings, partition walls, lighting and power) from planning through punch-list completion, coordinating with vendors and property management.

Secondary Functions

Maintain and update the CMMS with accurate time entries, parts usage and completion notes to aid predictive maintenance analytics.
Support asset lifecycle planning by providing data on equipment condition, repair frequency and total cost of ownership to facilities leadership.
Participate in quarterly facility inspections and cross-functional safety walk-throughs with property management and risk teams.
Coordinate recycling, hazardous waste disposal and properly tag and dispose of refrigerants, oil, batteries and other regulated materials.
Assist in tenant move-in/move-out inspections and light renovation tasks to expedite occupancy turnover.
Support emergency response drills and continuity plans by ensuring critical systems remain operational during testing and exercises.
Contribute to contractor bid reviews by providing technical clarifications and on-site assessments during procurement cycles.
Implement and monitor preventative maintenance KPIs, contribute to monthly maintenance reports and suggest continuous improvement opportunities.
Support seasonal readiness activities (HVAC summer/winter commissioning, snow/ice prep, storm readiness) to mitigate operational risk.
Provide input for capital expenditure requests by estimating repair vs. replacement scenarios and recommending long-term solutions.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

HVAC system maintenance and troubleshooting (split systems, rooftop units, chillers, heat pumps, boilers)
Electrical diagnostics up to 480V, motor controls, VFDs and electrical panel work
Plumbing repair and fixture replacement, pump maintenance and basic hydronic systems knowledge
Building Automation Systems (BAS) / EMS familiarity (e.g., Johnson Controls, Trane, Honeywell)
Preventive maintenance execution and CMMS operation (WorkOrder management, asset tagging, preventive scheduling)
Refrigerant handling and EPA 608 certification (Type I/II/III/Universal)
Boiler operation and combustion air/fuel adjustments, water treatment awareness
Fire and life-safety system inspection coordination and NFPA code familiarity
Mechanical systems alignment, belt/pulley replacement and vibration troubleshooting
Use of hand and power tools, diagnostic meters, thermal imaging and leak detection equipment
Lock-out/Tag-out, confined space and fall protection procedures (OSHA-compliant)
Basic carpentry, painting, drywall repair and finishing skills
Generator and ATS inspection, load testing and basic electrical transfer operations
Energy management strategies, lighting controls, occupancy sensors and retrofits
Basic welding, brazing and soldering for pipe and metal repairs (where applicable)

Soft Skills

Strong troubleshooting mindset with methodical diagnostic approach
Clear communicator with tenants, vendors and facilities leadership
Excellent time management and ability to prioritize urgent work orders
Attention to detail for documentation, permits and safety checks
Customer-service orientation and ability to maintain positive tenant relations
Team player who can both lead small crews and support colleagues
Adaptability to changing priorities during emergencies or project work
Safety-first attitude and commitment to regulatory compliance
Initiative in identifying long-term maintenance improvements and cost savings
Professional demeanor and ability to represent the organization on-site

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED; vocational trade school certificate or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or technical diploma in HVAC, Electrical Technology, Facilities Management, or Building Systems.

Relevant Fields of Study:

HVAC/R Technology
Electrical Technology
Facilities Management
Mechanical or Industrial Maintenance
Building Trades / Construction Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–5 years of hands-on building/facility maintenance experience (commercial, institutional or multi-family preferred).

Preferred: 3–7 years with demonstrated experience in HVAC maintenance, electrical troubleshooting, plumbing systems, CMMS usage and responsibility for life-safety systems.

Certifications that strengthen candidacy: EPA 608, OSHA 10 or 30, HVAC HVAC-R technician certification, boiler operator license, NFPA fire systems training, forklift certification, first aid/CPR.