Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for General Maintenance Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The General Maintenance Technician is a hands-on facilities professional responsible for maintaining, repairing, and improving building systems, production equipment, and site infrastructure to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operations. The ideal candidate will perform preventive and corrective maintenance, troubleshoot mechanical and electrical systems, execute service requests through a CMMS, coordinate vendors, and support continuous improvement initiatives while adhering to safety and regulatory requirements.

Keywords: general maintenance technician, facilities maintenance, preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, CMMS, building systems, OSHA, NFPA.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Maintenance Helper / Maintenance Assistant
Facilities Cleaner or Janitorial Technician with mechanical exposure
HVAC or Electrical Apprentice

Advancement To:

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

Lateral Moves:

Industrial Electrician
HVAC/R Technician
Millwright or Mechanical Technician
Facilities Coordinator or Building Systems Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform scheduled preventive maintenance (PM) and inspections on HVAC systems, rooftop units, chillers, boilers, pumps, motors, air compressors, and control systems according to manufacturer recommendations and CMMS work orders to maximize equipment uptime and lifecycle.
Diagnose and execute corrective repairs on electrical distribution, motor controls, VFDs, PLCs, and branch circuits using schematic reading, multimeter testing, and safe lockout-tagout procedures to restore production or building functionality.
Troubleshoot plumbing systems including valves, drains, water heaters, backflow preventers, and piping leaks; perform repairs, pipe replacement, and emergency isolation to prevent water damage and ensure code compliance.
Service and maintain facility building fabric: perform carpentry, drywall repair, painting, door and hardware adjustments, roofing patching, and window/glazing repairs to preserve structural integrity and aesthetics.
Install, test, and calibrate sensors, thermostats, and building automation components; support BAS/EMS team in optimizing setpoints to improve energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
Respond to urgent maintenance requests and facility emergencies 24/7 as required (sprinkler leaks, HVAC failures, electrical faults), perform triage, mitigate hazards, document corrective actions, and escalate major issues.
Execute preventive lubrication, belt changes, alignment, and bearing inspections on rotating equipment and conveyors to reduce unplanned downtime and vibration-related failures.
Perform refrigerant handling, charging, and leak detection for refrigeration and HVAC equipment in compliance with EPA 608 regulations and company environmental policies.
Conduct routine safety and compliance checks including fire suppression systems, emergency lighting, exit signage, and life-safety devices; coordinate testing and documentation for NFPA and local authority inspections.
Use computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) to create, update, close, and document work orders, track inventory, record maintenance history, and report KPIs such as MTTR and MTBF.
Assemble, install, and maintain industrial equipment and manufacturing support systems (guards, safety interlocks, pneumatic/hydraulic lines) to meet production schedules and safety standards.
Troubleshoot and repair facility HVAC controls, expansion valves, compressors, evaporators, and condensers to maintain process temperature control and product quality.
Replace and wire motors, starters, contactors, relays, and transform panels; perform conduit and wiring runs per code and perform basic electrical panel maintenance under supervision when required.
Monitor and maintain site grounds, exterior lighting, signage, and parking lot systems including snow removal coordination, landscaping requests, and minor paving repairs to maintain safe and presentable premises.
Maintain stock levels of commonly used parts and consumables by performing cycle counts, creating purchase requests, and coordinating with procurement to reduce lead times and expedite critical repairs.
Assist with capital and small projects: demolition, retrofit installations, millwork, HVAC unit replacements, and equipment relocations; work with project managers and contractors to ensure scope, schedule, and quality.
Support energy conservation initiatives by implementing recommended mechanical adjustments, insulation improvements, and lighting upgrades; collect baseline data and measure results.
Follow established safety policies and actively participate in safety meetings, training programs (OSHA 10/30, NFPA 70E basics), hazard assessments, and corrective action plans to create a zero-incident culture.
Maintain accurate maintenance logs, asset tagging, and spare parts lists; prepare regulatory and audit-ready documentation for environmental, local, and corporate compliance reviews.
Provide on-the-job training and mentorship to junior technicians and apprentices on safe work practices, troubleshooting techniques, and CMMS use to build team capability.
Test, repair, and maintain battery backups, UPS units, and emergency power systems; coordinate with electrical contractors for larger service and load testing when required.
Operate and perform basic maintenance on facility vehicles and powered equipment (forklifts, scissor lifts, grounds equipment) following certifications and company policies.
Collaborate with vendors, contractors, and internal stakeholders to obtain quotes, schedule preventative services, and oversee third-party work to ensure timely, on-budget completion.
Implement continuous improvement suggestions by documenting root-cause analyses, corrective action plans, and follow-up verification to reduce repeat failures and spare parts usage.
Maintain cleanliness and organization of maintenance shop, tool crib, and storage areas; ensure tools and PPE are calibrated, available, and stored per company standards.
Participate in seasonal changeovers, shutdowns, and startup activities including pre-shutdown planning, spare parts staging, and post-startup troubleshooting to minimize production losses.

Secondary Functions

Provide support for facility-related administrative tasks such as work-order prioritization, contractor coordination, and invoice verification.
Contribute to asset lifecycle planning by helping identify equipment end-of-life candidates and replacement recommendations based on maintenance history.
Assist environmental health and safety (EHS) team with incident investigations, corrective actions, and implementation of preventive controls related to maintenance activities.
Participate in cross-functional problem-solving meetings (root cause, 5 Whys) to reduce downtime and improve process reliability.
Help develop and refine preventive maintenance schedules and checklists based on manufacturer recommendations and field condition assessments.
Support onboarding of new hires with site tours, safety orientation, and explanation of facility systems and emergency procedures.
Track and report spare parts usage trends and assist procurement in optimizing reorder points and stocking levels to reduce stockouts.
Aid in utility monitoring and basic data collection for energy management initiatives—collect meter reads, report anomalies, and log equipment run-hours.
Assist in small capital projects by performing pre-installation site checks, helping with material staging, and ensuring code-compliant installation practices.
Provide backup coverage for related trades when appropriately qualified (e.g., assist electricians, HVAC techs) while ensuring work remains within competence and certification limits.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Preventive and corrective maintenance planning and execution for HVAC, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
Hands-on electrical troubleshooting: single/three-phase systems, motor controls, VFDs, basic PLC logic, and schematic interpretation.
HVAC/R maintenance and diagnostics including compressors, expansion devices, refrigeration circuits, and EPA 608 compliance.
Proficiency with CMMS platforms (e.g., Maximo, UpKeep, eMaint, Fiix) for work-order management, asset tagging, and maintenance history.
Mechanical skills: bearings, couplings, belt/chain drives, alignment, welding basics, and hydraulic/pneumatic system maintenance.
Experience with building automation systems (BAS), thermostats, sensors, and trending for energy optimization.
Plumbing skills: fixture repair, pipe fitting, soldering, valve replacement, and basic backflow prevention knowledge.
Familiarity with safety standards and certifications: OSHA 10/30, NFPA 70E electrical safety, lockout-tagout (LOTO), and confined-space awareness.
Use of diagnostic tools: multimeter, clamp meter, megohmmeter, infrared camera, vibration analyzer, and refrigerant recovery equipment.
Ability to read blueprints, mechanical drawings, and P&IDs to execute installation, maintenance, and repairs correctly.
Basic carpentry, painting, and building maintenance for minor construction and finish work.
Experience with energy conservation measures and the ability to implement low-cost/no-cost efficiency improvements.

Soft Skills

Strong troubleshooting mindset with analytical thinking and methodical root-cause problem solving.
Clear verbal and written communication skills to document work, interact with vendors, and explain technical issues to non-technical stakeholders.
Time management and prioritization under competing emergency and scheduled work demands.
Team player who can collaborate across departments, mentor junior staff, and coordinate with contractors.
High attention to detail and quality orientation to ensure completed work meets safety and regulatory standards.
Customer-service oriented approach to internal clients and building occupants.
Adaptability to changing schedules, shift work, and urgent response scenarios.
Initiative and ownership: ability to follow through on corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
Professionalism and integrity when handling access to secure areas and sensitive site information.
Physical stamina and dexterity for climbing, lifting, confined spaces, and working at heights when required.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED; vocational training or trade school coursework preferred.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or technical diploma in Facilities Management, HVAC/R, Electrical Technology, Industrial Maintenance, or similar.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Facilities Management
Mechanical or Electrical Technology
HVAC/R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration)
Industrial Maintenance / Mechatronics
Construction or Building Trades

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–5 years of hands-on facilities or industrial maintenance experience.

Preferred: 5+ years of multi-trade maintenance experience in commercial, manufacturing, or industrial environments with documented PM/CMMS usage, demonstrated electrical troubleshooting capability, and experience with building systems and life-safety equipment.

Certifications that strengthen candidacy: EPA 608 (HVAC refrigerants), OSHA 10/30, NFPA 70E awareness, forklift or aerial lift certification, trade-specific licenses or apprenticeships.