BAS Technician

VCU’s Facilities Management Department is seeking a BAS Technician to monitor, maintain, and repair Building Automation Systems (BAS), ensuring VCU assets operate effectively and efficiently while meeting customer requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide BAS support to zone personnel to complete mechanical, electrical, or plumbing services.
• Offer technical service support of BAS for internal and external customers during regular and after-hours timeframes, including weekends, holidays, and on-call service periods.
• Perform daily review and monitoring of BAS to ensure assets operate as designed; identify service needs and opportunities through the BAS.
• Alert leadership of service issues beyond repair capability for corrective action, including documentation of needs.
• Complete work order requests per policy and procedure while interacting professionally and adhering to the VCU Code of Conduct.
• Perform maintenance and repairs to BAS, including sensor calibrations, device and program troubleshooting, installation of BAS components, review of BAS programming for operation and system integrity, plan/system review and comments, data monitoring, collection, and interpretation (trends and projections for all points and alarms).
• Perform programming verifications to ensure systems operate per design or intent across multiple BAS platforms (JCI, Siemens, Tridium, etc.).
• Perform BAS programming and graphics changes as needed and to VCU standards across multiple BAS platforms (JCI, Siemens, Tridium, etc.).
• Utilize trades and automation skills and diagnostic tools to independently respond to assigned work requests based on priority, ensuring quality workmanship.
• Provide notes log documentation of all work performed and update phase statuses using established CMMS Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), including complete, accurate, and field-entered notes for TIMECARD notes accessible to customers, as well as INFO ONLY notes for departmental use.
• Upload related documents using CMMS, such as pictures from the job site for further troubleshooting or diagnosis.
• Monitor overall BAS efficiency through daily system checks, documenting these checks through CMMS following note log requirements, including daily review of the Operations Center Log for any BAS entries.
• Perform BAS component repairs, maintenance, and replacements for both reactive and preventive work orders.
• Work with zone staff to identify and correct system issues identified through BAS monitoring and review.
• Perform daily monitoring and testing of lab, research, and DAR spaces, documenting service needs, corrective actions, and anomalies to meet customer expectations and reporting requirements.
• Perform installations, repairs, and maintenance, including cable and wire pulls, conduit runs, and device/equipment cabinet installations.
• Perform BAS programming changes as needed, including coding and sequence changes.
• Create BAS graphics in alignment with VCU standards.
• Review BAS, HVAC, and other plans, drawings, and submittals for new and renovation construction projects, providing input and direction as a subject matter expert.
• Collaborate with departmental technicians, staff engineers, and vendors to identify operational improvement and corrective action opportunities through BAS.
• Communicate all critical system failures through completion to appropriate personnel, including documentation within CMMS.
• Complete daily time card entry per established CMMS SOP, including complete, accurate, and field-entered notes.
• Complete scheduled preventive maintenance within the month of the date issued.
• Provide backlog notes documentation for all work requests over 30 days, with an emphasis on completion.
• Identify and document system deficiencies as observed, and advise management of tasks requiring priority attention.
• Perform all work in a safe and workmanlike fashion, complying with all University and Departmental safety policies and guidelines.
• Maintain shop and departmental common and storage spaces to ensure they are orderly and neat, with items stored properly and safely.
• Communicate respectfully to internal and external customers, treating all work or service requestors as customers.
• Communicate with the customer for every work order request at the time of service completion or delay to provide an update on services rendered and the status of the request. Document the means of notification, including the name, date, and time of who was notified, within the notes portion of the work order.
• Work as a member of the team, striving for collaboration and support of each co-worker by taking ownership of identified problems and helping in a supportive manner when needed.
• Interact with others to collectively resolve problems, accomplish mutual goals, and foster an atmosphere of trust.
• Communicate respectfully throughout the Department, Division, and University.
• Communicate respectfully with vendor service providers.
• Report for all inclement weather, emergency, and special events as required.
• Report for all emergency and scheduled on-call duty as assigned.
• Complete all University and Departmental required training within the specified time frames given.
• Identify BAS needs, including replacement or upgrade priorities, and communicate them with your supervisor monthly or as urgent requests when necessary.
• Identify BAS components that are obsolete or require an extended lead time. Document these items in a shared file with department staff, updating it at least once a month.
• Work with the Asset Management team to identify and tag BAS assets within CMMS and provide periodic asset assessments.
• Participate in project and design reviews for automation projects.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Several years of HVAC service, Direct Digital Controls service (DDC), or electrical trade service experience (may be combined).
• Several years of documented BAS service or installation experience (may be combined) with at least two (2) years of Tridium Niagara 4 service experience.
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret drawings, plans, schematics, and scopes of work.
• Valid Virginia Driver’s License required.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Qualifications

• Journeyman HVAC or Electrician in the State of Virginia preferred.
• Completion of three (3) or more controls vendor (JCI, Siemens, Tridium, ALC) development courses preferred.
• Understanding of HVAC and energy management principles preferred.

Pay

$70,000 - $83,500

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits.
• Paid annual and holiday leave.
• Generous tuition benefits.
• Retirement planning and savings options, including tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs.
• Employee discounts.
• Well-being resources.
• Abundant opportunities for career development and advancement.

Schedule

• Monday-Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm (8-hour shifts).
• After-hours as needed; regular on-call rotation required.
• 40 hours per week.