HudsonAlpha - Facilities Maintenance Technician

Position: Facilities Maintenance Technician

Position Type: Full-Time

Wage: Up to $23/HR

Benefits: BlueCross BlueShield Health and Dental Benefits, Vision Insurance, 401K, and more!

INSTITUTE OVERVIEW

HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology is a nonprofit organization dedicated to using genomics to improve life through developing and applying scientific advances to health, agriculture, learning and commercialization. The HudsonAlpha campus co-locates nonprofit scientific researchers with entrepreneurs, educators and business leaders, and is home to more than 45 diverse biotech companies. The Institute's campus is located within the Cummings Research Park, the nation's second-largest research park, in Huntsville, Alabama. Additionally, HudsonAlpha began an initiative with the City of Dothan in 2022 to locate part of the campus in the Wiregrass area. HudsonAlpha is a national and international leader in genetics and genomics research and biotech and STEM education. To learn more about HudsonAlpha, visit hudsonalpha.org.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Operations Department provides all aspects of operational support for the HudsonAlpha campus, including maintenance of facilities; oversight of the shipping dock; janitorial services and common supplies; consultation on environmental health and safety; emergency preparation and 24-hour security and surveillance. The Department serves the needs of HudsonAlpha staff as well as the other tenants on campus.

As a research facility, the Institute houses laboratories with unique protocols as well as materials and equipment that require specific handling. The department accommodates varying requests while ensuring that overall standards for cleanliness and safety are maintained. It coordinates disaster preparation among tenants and arranges security as well as access for special events. The department provides warehousing and distribution of common office supplies as well as shipping and receiving.

POSITION SUMMARY

The title of Facilities Maintenance Technician represents a cross-section of skilled trades, crafts and areas of expertise. Our technicians are capable of maintaining all routine aspects of the buildings, their infrastructure and campus. Team members are assigned tasks via a work order system according to immediate needs and long-term needs. Technicians may be given specialized assignments based on specific areas of expertise, certification or training. In addition to core competencies, management may recruit for specialized skills to maintain a crew composition representing a balanced skillset necessary in a multi-craft environment.

JOB SPECIFIC TASKS

• Foster and always maintain a safe work environment.
• Provide quality customer service to our internal and external customers.
• Perform troubleshooting and maintenance on facility infrastructure that may include, but not limited to, Mechanical, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, Carpentry, and various other tasks as assigned.
• Perform minor repairs and adjustments to items such as furniture, fixtures, cabinets, doors, and desks.
• Perform troubleshooting and maintenance service on commercial kitchen items including but not limited to appliances, refrigeration, plumbing, exhaust hoods, and beverage stations.
• Install equipment replacements, upgrades, and modifications including the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing requirements.
• Interpret building Architectural, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing drawings and construction documents as needed.
• Responsible for completing work orders in a timely manner, updating the work order status in a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) including materials and labor hours for invoicing.
• Support event set up and tear down activities for various events taking place on campus at specific times.
• Perform area cleanup activities, such as polishing statues, maintaining water features, pressure washing, general trash pickup, and upkeeping all architectural features throughout the facilities.
• Work On-Call on a rotating schedule and be able to respond to calls within 1 hour.

EDUCATION AND REQUIRED SKILLS

• Detail oriented with exemplary customer service.
• Two-year degree in a technical field (preferred)or equivalent combination of education and experience. High school diploma or GED equivalent(required).
• Related experience in a position demonstrating the ability to complete assignments, work with limited supervision, and prioritize tasks according to a work schedule.
• Working knowledge/experience of mechanical equipment such as chillers, boilers, cooling towers, AHU's, air compressors, generators, pumps, exhaust fans, and refrigeration equipment
• Working knowledge/experience of power distribution typically found in a commercial environment.
• Valid driver's license (DMV check required).
• Ability to work within a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• Ability to use various power and hand tools safely.
• Ability to use tools typical for electrical troubleshooting.
• Ability to identify and coordinate parts/equipment and estimate time required and cost for completion of tasks.
• Ability to use experience and job knowledge to reduce downtime with facility equipment.
• Proactive safety mindset.
• Good verbal communication skills and ability to interact with a wide range of customers.
• Experience reading and following instructions, both verbal and written.
• Experience working in a team and maintaining team member/customer relationships.
• Ability to work in an environment where continuous improvement is promoted and implemented to optimize uptime within the facility.

Preferred Education and Skills

• Trade certification, license, or associate degree in any of the trades (electrical, plumbing, engineering, HVAC, etc.) or 3 years of relevant experience.
• Experience maintaining a building automation system (BAS) for HVAC and lighting controls, such as Johnson Controls, Honeywell, Wattstopper and other Temperature monitoring sensors.
• Ability to troubleshoot electrical distribution systems, including lighting, surge protection, three phase systems, transformers, UPS, controls, sensors, drives, motors, backup generators and HVAC equipment.
• Ability to use Apple products to communicate, research, update work orders, and use Apps.

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors/Mental Functions

ADA Requirements The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer - All job requirements are subject to possible revision to reflect changes in the position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a threat or risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties which will be required in this position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor/manager (within guidelines and compliance with Federal and State Laws). Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

Physical Demands

• Frequent to constant moving, transporting, positioning, removing, and/or installing materials up to 60 pounds.
• Frequently ascend/descend several flights of stairs.
• Frequently ascend/descend ladders, scaffolding, fixed access ladders, and ships ladders.
• Frequently move about a multi-building property carrying tools and equipment.
• Occasionally remain in a stationary position (sit or stand).
• Frequently position self (e.g. stoop, crouch, crawl, bend) and pull and push to install and upkeep equipment, inspect buildings, ensure safety, etc. on HudsonAlpha property.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen/ phone screen and to distinguish colors in wiring.
• Constant communication in person and over the telephone, radio, email, and text.
• Frequent operation of power tools, hand tools, motor vehicle.
• Constant mental and visual attention, requiring constant alertness or activity.
• Occasionally work in confined spaces, that may have reduced ventilation, low visibility and in awkward positions.
• Frequently work at heights, with restraints and or fall protection.
• Ability to wear necessary PPE, Fall restraints, ear, head, hand and eye protections, safety shoes, or any other PPE required by the operation or equipment being handled.

Environmental Factors

• Work in both indoor and outdoor environments with exposure to controlled temperature conditions, cold and hot temperatures, and inclement weather conditions.
• Moderate to loud noise levels.
• Exposure to chemical, mechanical, and electrical hazards and hazardous physical substances and fumes.
• Occasional prolonged and irregular hours which include early morning or evening hours.
• Required to maintain availability to come to work outside of regular workday hours, which include weekend days and holidays, or to otherwise be available to respond to emergency situations on the HudsonAlpha campus (On-Call Requirement).
• Exposure to high voltage electrical distribution systems.

Mental Functions

• Communicate, both orally and in writing, in the English language with individuals in interpreting and enforcing rules, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to concentrate, analyze, and problem-solve or trouble-shoot equipment or facility issues.

It is the policy of HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, in accordance with all applicable laws, to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.