Lutheran Towers

Posting Details
Posting Details
Posting Number:
0603110
Recruitment Type:
Open to All Applicants
Position Title:
BAS Maintenance Technician
Position Type:
Staff
Benefits Status:
Benefits Eligible
FLSA:
Non-Exempt
Hiring Range:
$32.00-$36.00 per hour, plus excellent benefits.
Location
Tacoma, WA 98447
Department:
Facilities Management
Posting Date:
07/27/2026
Closing Date
When a sufficient number of qualified applicants have been identified.
Work Schedule:
M-F, 7am-4pm.
Requires mandatory participation in a rotating 24-hour emergency on-call schedule. Occasional evening, weekend, and overtime work is required to support peak university events (e.g., Commencement, Move-In) or emergency system restorations.
General Description:
The BAS Maintenance Technician serves as a critical "Hybrid Technician" bridging the gap between heavy mechanical infrastructure (HVAC, chillers, and boilers) and advanced digital controls systems (BAS/Low Voltage). Operating as the front line of campus infrastructure reliability, this position leverages building automation data, predictive diagnostics, and journey-level mechanical expertise to prevent system failures, optimize occupant comfort, and maximize energy efficiency across all Pacific Lutheran University facilities.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• BAS Programming & Digital Operations (35%): Continuously monitor, troubleshoot, configure, and modify Building Automation System (BAS) logical sequences, schedules, and setpoints. Diagnose front-end graphical anomalies, optimize Direct Digital Control (DDC) loops, and adjust code to balance energy conservation with stringent indoor air quality (IAQ) and environmental standards.
• Journey-Level Mechanical Maintenance & Lifecycle Care (30%): Perform advanced diagnostic troubleshooting, preventative maintenance, component replacement, and major overhauls on commercial HVAC systems, chillers, cooling towers, air handling units (AHUs), variable air volume (VAV) boxes, and high-pressure/low-pressure hydronic heating systems.
• Low-Voltage Controls & Instrumentation (15%): Install, wire, calibrate, and commission low-voltage controllers, actuators, and electronic sensors (temperature, humidity, CO2, pressure). Troubleshoot network communication trunks, routing protocols, and device addresses utilizing BACnet, LonWorks, or proprietary network architectures.
• Reliability Data, Documentation & CMMS Precision (10%): Meticulously document all maintenance activities, system modifications, part specifications, and diagnostic findings within the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Input accurate data fields to support the department's tracking of Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) and Mean Time to Repair (MTTR), directly informing root cause analysis (RCA) and capital renewal planning.
• Customer Relations, Stakeholder Support & Emergency Triage (10%): Serve as the premier technical point of contact for campus occupants experiencing climate control or operational issues. Translate intricate automated systems data into clear, empathetic, and professional communication for non-technical campus customers, providing updates on resolution timelines.

Secondary/Other Duties:

• Perform other operational and cross-trade duties as assigned by Facilities leadership to support the collective mission of the Physical Plant.
• Provide support during campus-wide events, severe weather responses, or auxiliary operational surges.
• Actively participate in departmental safety committees, continuous improvement initiatives, and specialized technical training.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge:

• Advanced Control Systems: Comprehensive understanding of DDC logic, pneumatic-to-digital conversions, electrical schematics, and commercial building automation architectures (e.g., Siemens Apogee/Desigo, Automated Logic, Johnson Controls, or Tridium Niagara frameworks).
• Mechanical Systems & Hydronics: Comprehensive knowledge of journey-level HVAC refrigeration cycles, thermodynamics, air balancing principles, and steam/hot water hydronic distribution loop chemistry and mechanics.
• Safety & Regulatory Codes: Advanced operational knowledge of OSHA/WISHA safety standards, lockout/tagout (LOTO) protocols, arc flash protection, hazardous material handling, and confined space entry requirements.

Skills:

• Diagnostic Troubleshooting: Mastery in utilizing digital multimeters, diagnostic software, network packet sniffers, and mechanical testing tools to quickly isolate root causes of interrelated mechanical and electronic failures.
• DDC Scripting & Logic Configuration: Skill in modifying system programming loops (PID loop tuning) and editing system schedules, alarms, and trend logs within a BAS front-end environment.
• Data Literacy: Skill in extracting and interpreting trend data from a CMMS or BAS platforms to identify degradation patterns before catastrophic asset failure occurs.
• De-escalation & Communication: Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills; ability to maintain high professionalism and de-escalate frustrated campus stakeholders during high-pressure system outages.

Abilities/Traits:

• Autonomy & Project Management: Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision, manage complex work orders concurrently, and prioritize tasks effectively based on campus impact.
• Inclusive Collaboration: Ability to interact positively and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including students, faculty, executives, contractors, and trade colleagues.
• Stress Tolerance & Composure: Ability to maintain logical, calm, and decisive problem-solving methodologies during high-stress operational emergencies.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Graduation from an accredited technical trade school in HVAC/Controls or completion of a recognized commercial HVAC/BAS apprenticeship program.
• At least five (5) years of verified journey-level experience.
• Valid driver's license (Must have had a valid driver's license for at least 2 years).
• Proficient in mobile/desktop technology applications, including advanced CMMS platforms, diagnostic softwares, and Microsoft Office suite.
• Finalist applicants must satisfactorily complete pre-employment background checks, including a driving abstract check, and pass PLU's Driver's Certification Training.

Preferred Qualifications:
Work Conditions:

• Environmental Exposure: Work conditions vary dramatically; frequent exposure to extreme heat, dusty, or dry environments within mechanical rooms/boiler plants, as well as outdoor exposure to cold, wet, or humid Washington weather conditions.
• Industrial Hazards: Routine work around high-voltage electricity, high-pressure steam, fast-moving belt-driven machinery, heavy equipment, and hazardous industrial chemicals or refrigerants.
• Schedule Flexibility & On-Call Requirements: Position requires standard Monday through Friday day-shift hours, but requires mandatory participation in a rotating 24-hour emergency on-call schedule. Occasional evening, weekend, and overtime work is required to support peak university events (e.g., Commencement, Move-In) or emergency system restorations.

Physical Requirements:

• Movement & Posture: Regularly required to stand, walk across an expansive campus landscape, climb stairs, and maintain balance while working on ladders, scaffolding, or aerial lifts. Frequently required to bend, crouch, crawl, stoop, and kneel within confined spaces or awkward mechanical configurations.
• Strength & Handling: Must regularly lift and/or move objects up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift, carry, or position tools and heavy mechanical components weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Sensory Capacities: Requires acute visual acuity to read digital schematics, monitor control panels, color-code wiring, and identify mechanical wear. Requires strong hearing to diagnose auditory mechanical anomalies (e.g., bearing failures, compressed air leaks,

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Other Information:
PLU is a small, private university where caring means more than kindness and consideration - it means a bold commitment to expanding well-being, opportunity, and justice. Because PLU is a community committed to the creation and advancement of knowledge through diversity and inclusion, the university actively recruits a diverse faculty, staff, and student body. PLU is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from members of historically underrepresented and minoritized groups, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and others who would bring broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities.
PLU offers an excellent benefits package including tuition remission for employees and their dependents, generous retirement plan, medical, dental, paid vacation and sick leave, major holidays off (including Christmas/New Year's break and extra time off during the summer), and many other great university benefits. PLU is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program as a 501©(3) tax-exempt organization. Click here for detailed benefits information.
For general application questions or if you need accommodations at any point in the application and/or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 253-535-7185 or humr@plu.edu.