Building Engineer Apprentice Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $75,474.26 - $125,790.50 Annually
Location : JUVENILE & DOMESTIC CRT, 4000 CHAIN BRIDGE RD, FAIRFAX (FJ20), VA
Job Type: FT Hourly W BN
Job Number: 26-00681
Department: Facilities Management
Opening Date: 05/23/2026
Closing Date: 6/19/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S26
Posting Type: Open to General Public
Job Announcement
Chief Building Engineer - Lead Operations for a Multi-Building Organization
Are you a hands-on facilities leader who thrives on solving complex building system challenges and leading high-performing technical teams? We are seeking a Chief Building Engineer to oversee the operations, maintenance, and performance of a large portfolio of critical facilities.
In this role, you will lead a team of skilled trades professionals while ensuring the reliability, efficiency, and long-term sustainability of our buildings and infrastructure. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced facilities professional who enjoys balancing technical problem solving, team leadership, and operational strategy.
This position reports directly to the Facilities Manager and/or the Division Director of Operations and Maintenance.
Key Responsibilities:

• Leads the day-to-day operations and maintenance of multiple commercial facilities, ensuring high reliability of all building systems.
• Supervises and develops a team of skilled trades professionals across HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and general building maintenance disciplines.
• Oversees preventive and predictive maintenance programs to maximize system reliability and extend equipment life cycles.
• Manages building automation systems, mechanical systems, electrical distribution, and related infrastructure.
• Drives energy efficiency, sustainability, and operational improvement initiatives across the facilities portfolio.
• Plans and manages maintenance budgets, procurement activities, and contractor services to ensure efficient use of resources.
• Uses a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to plan work, monitor performance, track assets, and analyze maintenance trends.
• Ensures compliance with safety regulations, building codes, and industry best practices.
• Coordinates with senior leadership, contractors, and stakeholders to address operational needs and support organizational objectives.
• Responds to facility emergencies and critical system issues as part of an emergency-essential leadership team.
• Leadership expectations:
  • Fosters a safety-first work environment
  • Mentors and develops technical staff
  • Promotes collaboration, accountability, and professional growth
  • Maintains strong relationships with internal customers and stakeholders

Note:

• Incumbent is considered essential personnel.
• The position location and work schedule can be altered or changed at any given time due to business necessity and operational needs.
• A flexible working schedule is required as well as call-back and on-call participation.

Employment Standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
High school diploma or GED issued by a state department of education; plus completion of a four year apprentice-level vocational training program in HVAC and/or electrical systems; or four years of journey level experience in HVAC and/or electrical systems; plus four years of progressively more responsible journey level work with a minimum of two years in the oversight and/or operation of HVAC and/or electrical equipment, including three years in a supervisory role.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Valid driver's license
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, driving record check, and pre-employment medical evaluation to the satisfaction of the employer.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 3 years of formal supervisory experience leading a team of 7+ skilled trades staff.
• Experience managing operations and maintenance for large commercial facilities (400,000+ sq ft portfolio preferred).
• Strong background in troubleshooting and repairing commercial electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems.
• Experience managing operating budgets, maintenance planning, and procurement processes.
• Experience with CMMS platforms and asset management systems.
• Demonstrated ability to provide excellent customer service and stakeholder communication.
• Knowledge of energy efficiency, sustainability practices, and building performance optimization.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must be able to lift and carry items weighing 75 lbs. with assistance. Regularly required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally required to lift/move 50+ pounds. Must be able to climb up 12 ft step ladders and extension ladders, fixed wall and roof mount ladders, and cage ladders up to 45 ft as well as climb stairs and scaffolding for low-rise, mid-rise, and high-rise buildings of various heights and distances as determined by the tallest building in FMD inventory/portfolio. Must be able to bend, stoop, crouch, crawl, balance, and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions, and must have good dexterity for hands on work. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception. Must be able to work in varying and extreme outside weather conditions for extended periods of time. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.
Note: This job announcement is listed with a closing date of June 19, 2026 and interested applicants are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible. Interviews will be conducted on a regular basis throughout the recruitment with candidates whose qualifications best fit our needs. If your application is received later in the recruitment process, it may not be reviewed or considered. The application process may close prior to the currently advertised closing date when the position has been filled.
Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including ) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.
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Merit Positions
Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• LiveWell Program
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
• Paid Holidays
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees' Child Care Center
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

Please click for a summary of our benefits.
NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program:
For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions

1. Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.
   • Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
   • Flexible Spending Program
   • Deferred Compensation
2. Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.
   • No benefits

01
What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Doctorate degree

02
If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.

• Less than 45 quarter hours
• 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
• 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
• 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
• 180 or more quarter hours
• Less than 30 semester hours
• 30 to less than 60 semester hours
• 60 to less than 90 semester hours
• 90 to less than 120 semester hours
• 120 or more semester hours
• Not applicable

03
Please indicate your area(s) of study or major(s)/minor(s) towards a degree. Check all that apply.

• Civil engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Construction management
• Other (related field)
• Other (non-related field)
• Not applicable

04
If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable".
05
Do you currently possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

06
Have you completed a four-year apprentice-level vocational training program in HVAC and/or electrical systems?

• Yes
• No

07
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have in the oversight and/or operation of HVAC and/or electrical equipment?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four or more years

08
How many years of full-time equivalent journey level experience in HVAC and/or electrical systems do you have?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four or more years

09
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have in a supervisory role?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four or more years

10
How many years of full-time equivalent progressively more responsible journey level work do you have?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four or more years

11
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have managing operating and maintenance budgets for over 400,000 sq feet of commercial buildings to include requesting and approving purchases as well as, overall budget accountability?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

12
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have in the oversight and/or operation of HVAC and/or electrical equipment do you possess?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

13
How many years of full-time equivalent formal and direct staff supervisory experience do possess in the supervision of building trades staff to include formal responsibility for mentoring and evaluating staff as well as planning, monitoring, and approving staff utilization to include overtime?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

14
How many commercial building HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, and trades staff have you been formally and directly responsible and accountable for supervising in a single employment position?

• None
• 1 to 3
• 4 to 6
• 7 to 10
• 10 or more

15
Are you willing and able to perform the physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

16
This position is considered essential during inclement weather and other declared emergencies. Flexible working schedule and site location rotations are required as well as overtime, call-back and on-call. Are you willing and able to work under these conditions?

• Yes
• No

Required Question