Controls Specialist

About the Role

The Controls Specialist is an individual contributor in the Plant Operations department at Vanderbilt University. The role provides skilled work to ensure safe, effective, and energy‑efficient operation of building control, fire, security, and access‑control systems, thereby supporting a safe and comfortable learning environment. Responsibilities include commissioning, retro‑commissioning, testing, maintenance, modification, repairs, and record keeping of building control systems. The specialist applies knowledge of pneumatic, electric, electronics, direct digital control (DDC), airflow, hydronics, refrigeration theory, and control strategies, working with hardware such as thermostats, humidistats, receiver controllers, pneumatic actuators, safeties, pilot positioners, relays, sensors, field panels, wiring, power supplies, interface modules, system operating manuals, and engineered drawings. The position reports to the Controls Specialist Supervisor and collaborates daily with all campus departments.

About the Work Unit

The Facilities division supports construction, renovation, and routine maintenance of university spaces, housekeeping for approximately 5.8 million sq ft of academic, administrative, residential, and recreational space, grounds care for 330 acres (a registered arboretum), turf care for athletic fields, and utilities for the University Central and the Medical Center. The annual operating budget exceeds $100 million, with over 400 employees. The unit manages major capital projects totaling roughly $125 million annually and facility renewal, replacement, and large‑maintenance projects totaling about $20 million annually. The Facilities Business Operations Center provides finance, employee relations, systems, contracts, and general administration support to the department.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform end‑to‑end testing, download programming, start‑up, commissioning, retro‑commissioning, and servicing on assigned projects.
• Monitor and calibrate building system controls to improve operation and energy efficiency.
• Assist in gathering data to facilitate improved HVAC operation for effective energy management.
• Diagnose malfunctions, initiate repairs, or modify operating parameters as needed.
• Complete detailed test and repair records and maintain organized files.
• Interpret engineering drawings and system operating manuals.
• Collaborate with Campus Planning and Construction during new projects and renovations to ensure controls, fire, security, and access‑control systems meet Vanderbilt specifications, performance, efficiency, and code compliance before hand‑off to Plant Operations.
• Work with Zone Groups and the Chilled Water Distribution Group to troubleshoot control systems for chillers, AHUs, boilers, hot‑water converters, cooling towers, etc., and resolve system failures.
• Analyze, diagnose, and repair direct digital control (DDC) systems.
• Perform preventative maintenance, site surveys, replacements, and modifications to maximize energy efficiency.
• Prepare for on‑site installation and repairs by reviewing building layouts, anticipating challenges, gathering materials, and coordinating work.
• Use hand tools and interpret control drawings, plans, and specifications to mount, assemble, test, and program systems.
• Submit daily reports to ensure accurate record‑keeping of labor, material, and cost.
• Research and recommend repair components and test equipment to aid management in cost calculations for repairs and upgrades.
• Gather HVAC and mechanical field data to support performance analysis.
• Assist colleagues in troubleshooting HVAC equipment to minimize downtime and resolve complaints.
• Provide sketches of field changes and discrepancies for engineering corrections and drawings.
• Conduct extensive self‑study to maintain technical proficiency in building control systems and products.

Supervisory Relationships

This position does not have supervisory responsibility and reports administratively to the Controls Specialist Supervisor.

Education and Certifications

• High school diploma or GED (required).
• Bachelor’s degree (preferred).

Experience and Skills

• Minimum 4 years of electronics/instrumentation experience in all phases of pneumatic and DDC instrumentation, control systems, and building automation systems.
• Knowledge and experience with Johnson Controls and Automated Logic systems (preferred).
• Experience with rough wiring, device and panel wiring, and layout/installation of control devices and system components.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record; Vanderbilt University uses a third‑party service to monitor motor‑vehicle records.