Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Building Technician

🎯 Role Definition

A Building Technician is a hands-on facilities professional responsible for the safe, efficient and reliable operation of building systems and infrastructure. This role performs routine and preventive maintenance, diagnostics and corrective repair on HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and life-safety systems; coordinates vendors and contractors; maintains accurate maintenance records in a CMMS; supports energy conservation and capital projects; and responds to building emergencies and tenant service requests. The ideal candidate combines strong technical competence, troubleshooting instincts, and excellent customer-service orientation to maintain comfortable, compliant and functional facilities.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Facilities Maintenance Technician
HVAC Apprentice / HVAC Technician
General Maintenance Worker / Trades Helper

Advancement To:

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

Lateral Moves:

HVAC Specialist / Controls Technician
Electrical Technician / Journeyman Electrician
Energy Management / Sustainability Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform preventive maintenance and scheduled inspections of mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) and HVAC systems including air handlers, chillers, boilers, pumps, condensers, valves, motors and control systems to maximize equipment life and minimize unscheduled downtime.
Diagnose, troubleshoot and execute corrective repairs on a wide variety of building systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical distribution, controls) using schematics, wiring diagrams and manufacturer documentation while ensuring safety and code compliance.
Respond to tenant or occupant service requests and building system alarms promptly, prioritize work orders in the CMMS, and communicate status updates to building management and stakeholders.
Operate and maintain building automation systems (BAS/BMS), adjust setpoints, troubleshoot sensors and control sequences, and collaborate with controls contractors to optimize system performance and occupant comfort.
Complete electrical tasks such as replacing breakers, troubleshooting lighting circuits, repairing motors and starters, and performing conduit/wiring repairs in accordance with local electrical codes and lock-out/tag-out procedures.
Perform plumbing repairs and installations including leak repairs, valve replacements, drain cleaning, fixture replacements, and maintenance of domestic hot water systems and backflow prevention devices.
Maintain and service life-safety systems including fire alarm devices, emergency lighting, exit signs, fire extinguishers coordination, and liaise with third-party inspectors for required testing and certification.
Conduct building envelope and site inspections (roofing, windows, doors, gutters, paving) and execute or coordinate repairs to prevent water intrusion and preserve building integrity.
Execute scheduled filter changes, belt replacements, lubrication, refrigerant charge verification and preventive tasks for HVAC equipment to maintain efficiency and manufacturer warranties.
Monitor utility usage and building energy performance metrics, implement low-cost energy conservation measures, report anomalies and support energy efficiency initiatives and retrofits.
Coordinate, schedule and supervise subcontractors and vendors for specialty work (roofing, elevators, major electrical/mechanical projects), ensure adherence to scope, safety requirements and quality standards.
Maintain accurate maintenance documentation, equipment histories, parts inventory records and work order closeouts in the CMMS to support budgeting, compliance and lifecycle analysis.
Assist with turnover and move-in/move-out inspections for tenant spaces, ensure mechanical and electrical readiness, and complete punch lists to meet lease and occupancy requirements.
Support capital projects and facility upgrades by performing demolition, installation, temporary tie-ins, testing and assisting engineering teams during commissioning and acceptance phases.
Perform hazardous materials handling as required (asbestos awareness, lead paint precautions, refrigerant recovery) and follow EPA/Safety protocols for refrigerant management and waste disposal.
Test and maintain back-up power systems including generators and UPS equipment; perform routine generator start tests, load transfers, fuel system checks and battery maintenance.
Maintain building exterior and grounds support including snow removal coordination, minor landscaping tasks, door and access control maintenance and ensuring safe egress paths.
Maintain inventory of critical spare parts and tools, track usage trends, reorder stock to minimize downtime, and manage cost-effective parts sourcing.
Participate in emergency response (flood, power outage, HVAC failure) including immediate remediation, stabilizing building systems, coordinating repairs and documenting incidents for post-event analysis.
Perform basic carpentry, drywall, painting, door hardware adjustments, glazing and finish repairs to maintain a professional building appearance and resolve tenant maintenance issues quickly.
Ensure regulatory compliance with local building codes, OSHA, NFPA and environmental regulations by performing periodic checks, documenting deficiencies and coordinating required corrective actions.
Train and mentor junior technicians, apprentices and vendor staff on routine procedures, safety practices and troubleshooting techniques to elevate team capability and consistency.
Support building access and security systems including keying, card access programming, lock repairs and coordination with security providers to maintain safe access control.
Evaluate, recommend and implement life-cycle replacement strategies for aging equipment, provide cost-benefit analysis for repair vs. replace decisions, and assist with budget planning.

Secondary Functions

Assist with space planning support for small tenant reconfigurations and provide trades support during office fit-outs.
Support asset tagging, equipment labeling and digital documentation initiatives to improve asset tracking and maintenance efficiency.
Provide after-hours on-call coverage on a rotating basis and respond to urgent maintenance issues to minimize business disruption.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives, suggest process changes to increase first-time fix rates and reduce reactive maintenance backlog.
Deliver periodic training sessions on energy conservation, building systems basics and workplace safety to occupants and support staff.
Contribute to emergency preparedness drills and update building emergency response plans based on lessons learned.
Assist procurement with vendor prequalification by reviewing technical scopes and verifying contractor insurance and certifications.
Help maintain sustainability metrics by tracking waste, recycling and water use and supporting green building certification efforts where applicable.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

HVAC systems troubleshooting and repair (air handlers, chillers, boilers, rooftop units, VAV boxes) — hands-on experience diagnosing refrigeration cycles and controls.
Proficient with electrical systems up to commercial building level: motor starters, 3-phase distribution, breakers, conduit splicing and electrical troubleshooting.
Plumbing systems expertise: water heaters, pumps, valves, backflow prevention devices, sanitary lines and basic steam knowledge where applicable.
Building Automation Systems (BAS/BMS) — experience with Trane, Johnson Controls, Honeywell or BACnet/Modbus protocols for monitoring and control adjustments.
Experience using a CMMS (e.g., Maximo, CAFM, Maintenance Connection) to create, prioritize and close work orders and maintain asset histories.
Preventive maintenance planning and execution, including PM checklists, lubrication routes, filter programs and seasonal preparations.
Fire life-safety and alarm systems knowledge — testing, documentation, and coordination with certified vendors for compliance testing.
Generator, UPS and emergency power testing and routine maintenance procedures, including battery and fuel system checks.
Refrigerant handling certifications (EPA 608) and understanding of refrigerant recovery and environmental compliance.
Proficient in reading mechanical/electrical blueprints, P&IDs, wiring diagrams and manufacturer manuals to perform accurate repairs and installations.
Experience with hand and power tools, diagnostic meters, infrared cameras, vibration analyzers, and other maintenance testing equipment.
Basic carpentry, painting, glazing and finish repair skills for tenant-facing maintenance work.
Knowledge of OSHA regulations, lock-out/tag-out procedures and safe work practices for high-risk maintenance tasks.
Inventory control and parts management for spare parts forecasting and procurement.

Soft Skills

Strong troubleshooting mindset with ability to isolate root cause and drive corrective actions under time pressure.
Excellent communicator who can explain technical issues clearly to non-technical stakeholders and provide status updates.
Customer-service oriented with a professional demeanor when interacting with tenants, vendors and management.
Organized and detail-focused — capable of maintaining accurate records, logs and regulatory documentation.
Time management and prioritization skills to balance reactive work orders with preventive maintenance schedules.
Team player who can collaborate with facilities staff, contractors and building management to meet operational goals.
Adaptability and composure in emergency situations and during after-hours response.
Continuous learner attitude — stays current with new building technologies, energy efficiency strategies and code changes.
Ethical and safety-first mindset; enforces and models safe work practices for others.
Project coordination skills — able to assist with small to medium capital projects and follow through to completion.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED required.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or technical certificate in HVAC, electrical technology, facilities maintenance, or a related trade.

Relevant Fields of Study:

HVAC / Refrigeration Technology
Electrical Technology / Industrial Electricity
Building Systems / Facilities Management
Mechanical Technology / Industrial Maintenance
Construction Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2–5 years of hands-on commercial or institutional building maintenance experience; may vary by complexity of facility.

Preferred:

5+ years of experience maintaining complex commercial, healthcare, education or multi-tenant facilities with demonstrated competence across HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems.
Prior experience with BAS, CMMS, generator maintenance, life-safety systems and supervising contractors.