Controls Technician

University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job Title
Controls Technician
Job Profile Title
Controls Technician
Job Description Summary
The Controls Technician position is critical to maintaining the university's building automation and control systems that support HVAC operations across academic buildings, research facilities, and residential facilities. In addition to responding to service requests and system issues, this position plays a key role in the department's expanding Enhanced Preventive Maintenance (EPM) and Systems Performance Verification Program, ensuring building control systems are routinely inspected, maintained, and optimized to improve reliability, reduce equipment failures, extend asset life, and improve overall system performance.
Job Description
Job Responsibilities:
Aligns pulleys and flywheels with chalk or straight line.
Determines proper tension of belts by rise of amp meter.
Interprets blueprints, make sketches and makes shop calculations.
Familiarity with and follows task related safety standards and procedures.
Completes Electrical Work related to HVAC systems.
Other work as required related to HVAC systems.
Inspects, replaces, installs and adjusts equipment driving belts.
Inspects equipment to determine if it is lubricated properly and lubricant is delivered to all points.
Operates safety devices.
Applies various types of insulation coverage.
Burns any pipe or metal as required by work to be done.
Fastens hanger and supports.
Removes, installs, maintains and replaces any control device.
Greases and lubricates all types of equipment, motors, compressors, fans, bearings etc.
Operates (energizes and shuts down) all HVAC systems including related electrical equipment.
Test, inspect, dismantle, repairs, and installs all types of HVAC equipment.
Plans details of working procedures and selects materials in accordance with needs of work to be done.
Troubleshoots all building automation system problems and repairs all related equipment.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications:
High School Diploma or equivalent.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the position including walking, standing, bending, climbing stairs/ladders, and lifting at least 50 pounds.
Possess a valid driver's license, free of any suspension/revocation from individual state of permanent residence.
Successfully completed one of the following:
An approved accredited apprenticeship (4-5 year program) in HVAC.
HVAC trade-specific vocational school (Minimum of 6 months).
HVAC trade-specific military school(s) or equivalent corporate training program.
Knowledge of methods used in the maintenance and repair of commercial/industrial HVAC and hydronic systems with minimum of 5 years of experience with industrial and commercial HVAC systems.
Experience and willingness to conduct work in a multi-trades job environment; work on multiple types of building equipment and systems, and work with other trades personnel as assigned.
Trades Specific Skills:
Knowledge of building HVAC SCADA/Control systems, to include a minimum of one of the following: Allen Bradley, Automated Logix, American Automatrix, Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Lon Works, Siemens.
Ability to install, troubleshoot and repair HVAC electric, electronic, & mechanical devices.
Ability to interpret and work from drawings, sketches, and O&M manuals.
Knowledge and practices with rules and regulations required by NEC, OSHA, and NFPA70E & understand all the PPE required to perform work assignments.
Knowledge and understanding of sequence of operation for AHU's, VAV's, & hydronic systems and understanding of how steam is utilized in building steam systems.
Ability to troubleshoot, repair/replace pneumatic HVAC control system devices.
Ability to be trained to being able to proficiently use a laptop computer to troubleshoot digital HVAC control systems.
Non-Trade Specific Skills:
Written and Verbal Communication Skills
Professionalism
Problem Solving
Adaptability/Flexibility
Achievement/Results Orientation
Computer/Technology Exposure
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
About Facilities & Real Estate Services
The Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services (FRES) provides the expertise, business process, policies and standards required to plan, design, construct, operate, maintain and renew the physical assets of the University, excluding the health system. In addition, the Division, comprised of approximately five Departments, is responsible for the strategic planning, management and operation of non-academic University property, and collaborating with the neighborhood to create a safe, diverse and economically vibrant destination. With close to 18M square feet of space, FRES maintains more than 220 buildings on a campus of 299 acres, completes over 60,000 maintenance requests per year, and starts approximately 250 projects a year. FRES is comprised of the following Departments: Finance & Administration, Office of the University Architect, Design and Construction, Real Estate, Operations and Maintenance.
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