Building Engineer 1 - Breck School

Breck School

Job Description

TITLE: Building Engineer 1

REPORTS TO: Chief Building Engineer

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt

HOURS: Varies based on need

Effective Date: 8/1/2024

School Overview

Breck School is a preschool through twelve, coeducational college preparatory, Episcopal day school located in Golden Valley, Minnesota, with a national reputation for excellence and achievement in academics, athletics, and the arts. Our School’s Episcopal roots are lived through an unwavering commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging where we respect the dignity of every human being. We prioritize lifelong learning and a commitment to the greater good.

We are a community of highly engaged and motivated students, faculty, staff, and school leaders focused on building trusting relationships and strong academic scholarship through a practice of bridging research to practice. Upon graduation, Breck students are prepared for a life of intellectual curiosity, self-knowledge, and social responsibility, matriculating to colleges and universities throughout the world.

Position Overview

The Building Engineer is a pivotal member of the Building & Grounds Department at Breck School. This role encompasses a broad spectrum of responsibilities essential for the upkeep and functionality of the school's infrastructure. Working in tandem with the Chief Building Engineer and colleagues, the Building Engineer plays a vital role in ensuring seamless operations across the campus.

The primary responsibility of the Building Engineer is to ensure the fulfillment of all building maintenance and repair needs. From the structural elements to heating and cooling systems, electrical infrastructure, ventilation, wall outlets, and light fixtures, the Building Engineer oversees every aspect of campus upkeep.

Success in this role is contingent upon a proactive problem-solving approach, adept communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively both independently and within a team environment. By conscientiously fulfilling these responsibilities, the Building Engineer contributes to fostering a safe, orderly, and conducive environment at Breck School that aligns with the institution's educational objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• This position is responsible for performing preventative and corrective maintenance as needed and responding to all emergencies in a timely manner

• Performs preventative maintenance on all equipment throughout all campus facilities including Central Plant.

• Performs corrective work orders daily and completes appropriate paperwork utilizing the CMS.

• Maintains all mechanical rooms in a clean, orderly, and professional manner

• Operates all boilers and chillers in a safe manner.

• Follow through with work requests as assigned by the Chief Engineer.

• Document daily inspection reports results ensuring the proper functioning of building equipment, assigning corrective work, and performing follow up inspections.

• Maintain support equipment according to all manufacturer’s specifications.

• Expedite all repairs and work requests to give the best possible service to all departments.

• Maintain records and files of buildings and equipment as needed.

• Maintain inventory of parts and supplies.

• Refer to the attached Maintenance Task List for a complete list of equipment-related tasks.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Maintain Pool water chemistry

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent skills and/or experience.

• Completion of a 1-year general Building Maintenance course at an approved vo-tech school.

• State of Minnesota boiler operator’s license Class 2C or 2B Boiler license or higher

• 1-year Specialized refrigeration and air conditioning course at an approved vo-tech school. Universal refrigeration license.

• Minimum 3 years of responsible Building Maintenance and HVAC experience in a large facility.

• Knowledgeable of applicable federal, state, and local rules and ordinances to ensure full compliance.

• Certified Pool and Spa Operator (CPO)

• Preferred journeyman electrical license

Must perform the following essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation:

• Ability to lift and carry 100 lbs on a routine basis

• Climb ladders to 20 feet

• Use of hands for repetitive use, such as: grasping, fine manipulation

• Operate man lift up to 36’

• Bending stooping, twisting, crouching, pushing, pulling, reaching, grabbing, and crawling in confined places

• Ability to pass a pre-offer Physical Fitness Test.

• After hours call availability for emergency building requests, on average 1-2 times per month

Competencies

• Knowledge and experience in the operation, maintenance, and repairs of HVAC and refrigeration systems.

• Must have good troubleshooting skills on mechanical and electrical systems.

• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing.

• Leadership, initiative, planning and organization skills coupled with good judgment.

• Skillful oral and written communicator.

• Professional demeanor across a variety of settings and audiences. Clean and neat appearance.

• Self-starter, proactive, optimistic, and positive attitude.

• Good sense of humor, ability to smile; balanced perspective; patience.

• High degree of integrity and trustworthiness.

• Builds strong relationships with team members. Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies and a diverse, multilingual workforce, with ability to communicate in Spanish preferred.

• Ability to be flexible and work under frequent interruptions while keeping up with the flow of work.

• Understanding of facilities systems, such as mechanical, electrical, and HVAC.

• Knowledge of standard practices, materials, tools, and terminology of facilities trades, such as carpentry, masonry, and housekeeping. Able to read a blueprint.

• Computer proficiency to include use of email, CAD/CAM, and computerized facilities management systems; Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word and Excel, preferred.

• Able and willing to work a flexible full-time schedule, including evenings and weekends.

• Basic knowledge of Fire System operation

• Basic knowledge of Security System operation

MAINTENANCE TASK LIST

General Services Complete inspection reports

Complete visual inspection of system installation

Check and calibrate safety controls

Check for fuel leaks

Lubricate moving parts as necessary

Check amperages and voltages

Tighten all electrical connections

Check fuel pressure

Clean and inspect burner ports

Clean and check power vent or combustion fan and motor

Check for presence of carbon monoxide

Inspect motors and starters

Cleaning in all mechanical rooms

Work orders as assigned

Vacuum supply and return vents

Heating Systems - Forced Air

Clean and inspect heat exchangers

Change air filters as scheduled

Inspect and clean fan assembly

Lubricate fan and motor bearings per manufacturer's recommendations

Test temperature rise through unit

Heating Systems - Make-up Air Heaters

Check air inlet screen

Check and adjust burner and dampers

Check ignition and flame rod insulators

Check flame safeguard system

Clean and check burner profile plates

Inspect and clean heat exchanger

Heating Systems - Hydronic

Check burner operation

Check for adequate combustion air to burner and controls

Check safety relief valves

Inspect piping and connections

Check low-water cutoff

Check water make-up system

Check room air intake system

Inspect water level gauge glass and controls

Clean mud legs (steam only)

Clean and check oil nozzles

Replace oil nozzles

Replace oil nozzles

Check stack temperature

Open boiler and check fireside heat transfer surfaces

Contact Inspector for annual inspection

Brush fire tubes

Replace gasketing

Heating Systems – Hydronic- (Cont.)

Drain expansion tank as needed

Check steam pressure

Check manifold pressure

Check water level

Disassemble and clean low-water cutoff

Inspect wiring

Clean burner assembly

Service circulating pumps

Drain and flush boiler (steam only)

Steam Boiler Operations

Check close loop water treatment

Steam trap inspect and repair

Temperature Controls

Service energy management system

Check operation of variable air volume units

Clean and calibrate thermostats

Clean condenser on refrigerated air drier

Check refrigerated air drier for proper operation

Drain water from pneumatic air tank

Check and top-off oil in pneumatic air compressor

Change oil in pneumatic air compressor as scheduled

Change belt on pneumatic air compressor

Check proper operation of economizing cycle

Lubricate and adjust dampers and linkages

Adjust and calibrate central system controls

Air Handling Systems,

Supply and Exhaust

Inspect and clean fan assembly

Lubricate fan and motor bearings per manufacturer's recommendations

Inspect belts, replace and adjust as necessary

Inspect electrical connections and contactors

Inspect airside heat transfer surfaces

Lubricate and adjust associated dampers and linkages

Check fan operation

Clean outside air intake screen

Inspect and clean drains and pans

Inspect and clean strainers

Change filters as scheduled

Air Conditioning Systems

Spring start-up

Fall shut down

Change cooling tower fan belts

Clean cooling tower sump

Inspect cooling tower

Fill and drain cooling tower

Check condenser loop water treatment

Inspect, troubleshoot and motors, relays, motor contactor and motor starters

Refrigeration Systems

Inspect belts, replace as necessary

Inspect pulleys and mounts

Lubricate fan and motor bearings per manufacturer's recommendations

Inspect electrical connections, contactors and relays

Check operating and safety controls

Check motor operating conditions

Inspect, troubleshoot and motors, relays, motor contactor and motor starters

Inspect and clean fan blades as required

Check compressor oil level

Provide oil analysis for over 20 HP

Change oil as necessary

Complete compressor megohm test

Annual power wash of air-cooled condensers

Check defrost cycle operation

Check setting of pressure controls

Check expansion valve superheat

Check solenoid valve operations

Check compressor heater

Clean ice machine as scheduled

Check harvest cycle operation

Check ice machine grid alignment

Check door gaskets and hinges

Inspect evaporator & condenser heat exchanger

Remove and replace evaporator and condenser water box covers

Clean evaporator heat exchanger

Clean condenser heat exchanger

Check refrigerant charge

Inspect for refrigerant leaks

Provide lithium bromide analysis as scheduled

Plumbing

Service hot water heater

Inspect, Troubleshoot, Repair, and Install

Faucets

Flush Valves

Urinals / Toilets

Drain lines / Traps

Water Filters

Water - Heaters, Fountains, Coolers

Sump Pumps

Check Valves

Electrical/Lighting

Test, troubleshoot, and electrical components

Replace Lightbulbs

Pool

Maintain Water Chemistry

Regenerate of filter system

Inspect, troubleshoot and repair pumps for proper water circulation

Inspect, troubleshoot and repair motors for proper air circulation

Other Services

Service humidifiers (small free-standing units)

Balance air distribution

Balance water flows

Service electronic air cleaner

Water Treatment as specified

Appliance repair, removal, install

Furniture assembly, repair, install