Purpose of Position

Under general supervision of the Area Supervisor of Maintenance Services, the Area Technician works in a multi-functional team made up of electricians, plumbers, and other skilled maintenance team members to provide complete maintenance to a group of buildings across campus.   A person participating in this dynamic team environment performs skilled work in the maintenance and repair of HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, electrical equipment and accessories. These duties are performed primarily on the 1st shift, may work other shifts as the need arises.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are customary for this position, but are not to be construed as all-inclusive. Duties may be altered based on management discretion and institutional needs.

• Performs general plumbing repair to include installing, maintaining and repairing valves, faucets, traps and other sanitary fixtures, as well as maintaining piping systems by opening clogged drains and replacing washers on leaky faucets
• Performs routine preventative maintenance to the interior of buildings such as installing/changing various lamps and ballasts in building light fixtures and laying floor tile and installing ceiling tile to ensure the physical condition of buildings does not deteriorate
• Performs general carpentry work in the maintenance of buildings, roofs, stairways, partitions, doors, door locks, windows and screens
• Uses tools ranging from common hand and power tools, such as hammers, hoists, saws, drills, and wrenches, to precision measuring instruments and electrical and electronic testing devices to repair, replace and reassemble equipment
• Perform routine preventive maintenance to ensure that building systems operate efficiently such as fan coils, air handling units, unit ventilators, pumps, motors, exhaust fans and other related equipment
• Diagnose mechanical problems and determine how to correct them, checking blueprints, repair manuals, or parts catalogs, as necessary.
• Assemble, install, or repair wiring, electrical or electronic components, pipe systems, plumbing, machinery, or equipment as well as locates and corrects power failures and short circuits
• Inspect drives, motors, and belts, check fluid levels, replace filters, or perform other maintenance actions, following checklists
• Record type and cost of maintenance or repair work 
• Operates University vehicles

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains excellent communication/customer service with Building Coordinators and all other DFM members
• Communicates bi-laterally with other area maintenance within DFM to coordinate work activities between groups
• Performs related duties as assigned

Knowledge and Skills Essential for Success

• Mechanical & operational knowledge of all machines & tools related to the electrical, plumbing and HVAC fields
• Ability to perform intermediate level HVAC, electrical, plumbing and/or other general maintenance repairs
• Installation skills for installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications
• Troubleshooting skills to determine causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it
• Skill to repair machines or systems using the needed tools
• Skill to perform routine maintenance on equipment and determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed
• Familiarity with and or experience in the use of radio protocol
• Ability to provide on-the-job training/coaching to other area technicians in your field of expertise
• Ability to read blueprints
• Ability to monitor and assess performance of yourself to make improvements or take corrective action
• Excellent communication and time management skills
• Ability to work well individually and as a team member
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to work effectively in a service-orientated environment
• Ability to accept feedback and deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations
• Possess basic computer skills, familiar with web/internet navigation, and willingness to learn and utilize new technology based products as applicable

Physical Abilities Required

• Must be able to perform strenuous physical labor, which includes heavy lifting, carrying up to 50 lbs., as well as standing, walking, reaching, carrying, stooping and kneeling, use hands to grip/move objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling; talking or hearing and smelling
• The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer)
• Ability to work in noisy and high temperature mechanical spaces, climb ladders and stairs, and work in both indoor and outdoor working conditions
• Ability to work near moving mechanical parts, being exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, risk of electrical shock and vibration
• Must be able to wear protective eye wear, hearing protection, head protection, arc flash protection, or other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as the task dictates

• High School, Diploma or GED
• Valid Drivers License
• At least five years of experience in construction/maintenance trades

Salary Grade:  106    Salary Range:  $18.00-$23.00/hr

Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices.

Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, should notify the office of Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action/University ADA Services (EEO). To request an accommodation, report/express a complaint, or ask questions regarding WKU's Discrimination and Harassment Policy (#0.2040), please contact Mr. Joshua Hayes, EEO Director/Title IX Investigator/University ADA Coordinator, via email at joshua.hayes@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-5121.

The University is also required to investigate complaints of sex and gender-based harassment, also a form of discrimination, and has designated the Title IX Coordinator as the individual responsible for coordinating the investigation and response to such complaints. The Title IX Coordinator for the University is Ms. Andrea Anderson, who can be contacted via email at andrea.anderson@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-5398. Additional information regarding Title IX is accessible via WKU's https://www.wku.edu/titleix/ website.

Information concerning educational programs offered by WKU are provided at: http://www.wku.edu/atwku/academics.php

Apply Online