Senior TAB Technician

About the role

The University of Virginia's grounds encompass an unusually wide range of building types including historic academic halls, active research laboratories, clinical spaces, and purpose-built facilities, all requiring well-performing HVAC systems. The Testing, Adjusting & Balancing team within Facilities Management's Building Automation Services department ensures those systems are operating as designed. The TAB Senior Technician reports directly to the TAB Services Manager and takes a lead role in the balancing of air and hydronic systems across UVA's grounds. This position combines hands-on field work with technical analysis including design review, troubleshooting HVAC performance deficiencies, verifying contractor TAB work, and mentoring junior technicians. It requires strong mechanical skills, familiarity with BAS systems, and a high standard for accuracy and documentation.

What Makes This Role Unique

• Diverse, complex building portfolio: UVA's grounds include everything from 19th-century buildings to state-of-the-art research labs, offering TAB challenges and variety that are hard to find in a single employer.
• Senior-level ownership: This role leads TAB activities for assigned projects end-to-end. From planning and field execution to reporting and contractor oversight with real autonomy and accountability.
• BAS integration: Hands-on exposure to Johnson Controls Metasys and Automated Logic WebCTRL alongside TAB work builds a rare, marketable combination of skills.
• Mentorship and influence: You'll play a direct role in building the team's capabilities, training junior TAB technicians and contributing to standardized procedures and best practices.
• Stable employer with strong benefits: UVA Facilities Management is a team of over 1,200 professionals with institutional backing and one of the most comprehensive benefits packages in the region.

TAB Field Operations

• Lead testing, adjusting, and balancing of complex airside and hydronic systems using standardized procedures.
• Independently plan and execute TAB activities for assigned projects.
• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and calibrate TAB instrumentation and tools.
• Verify fluid flows, fan and pump motor operation, building pressurization, psychrometrics, and system sequencing.
• Read and interpret mechanical drawings, specifications, sequences of operation, and system schematics.
• Perform TAB services for new construction, renovations, retro-commissioning projects, and existing building performance investigations.
• Verify system performance against design intent and identify deviations requiring correction.

Advanced Troubleshooting & Technical Support

• Diagnose HVAC performance deficiencies and identify probable root causes.
• Perform advanced analysis of airflow, hydronic flow, pressure relationships, and system control strategies.
• Assist with review of BAS logic and sequences to verify proper operation and energy-efficient performance.
• Provide recommendations for corrective actions and system optimization.

Project Leadership & Coordination

• Serve as lead TAB technician for assigned projects.
• Coordinate field activities with project managers, contractors, commissioning providers, controls technicians, and building occupants.
• Assist in developing TAB plans, schedules, and project priorities.
• Monitor project progress and communicate concerns affecting project completion.
• Support verification of contractor TAB work and field performance testing when required.

Documentation & Quality Assurance

• Prepare and review preliminary and final balancing reports.
• Perform quality assurance reviews of TAB data, calculations, and documentation.
• Maintain accurate field logs and enter data into Airnab, Excel, and other reporting systems.
• Document design deficiencies, installation issues, and operational concerns observed during field work.
• Ensure TAB reports meet University, NEBB, AABC, and project specification requirements.
• Assist in building and maintaining a TAB database of field-testing and reporting forms.

TAB Contract Oversight

• Assist with oversight and verification of contracted TAB services.
• Review contractor TAB reports for completeness and accuracy.

Training & Mentorship

• Provide on-the-job training and mentorship to TAB Technicians and other Facilities Management personnel.
• Assist in developing standardized TAB procedures and best practices.
• Share technical knowledge related to airside systems, hydronic systems, instrumentation, and BAS integration.
• Support the development of junior staff toward professional TAB certification.

Equipment & Safety

• Maintain TAB equipment, instruments, and calibration records.
• Assist with evaluation and procurement of TAB tools and instrumentation.
• Promote safe work practices and ensure compliance with University and industry safety standards.
• Serve as a safety resource for TAB field activities.

Required Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience: Minimum 7 years of relevant HVAC or controls experience.
• Licensure: None required at hire; NEBB or AABC certification strongly preferred, or ability to obtain within one year.
• Knowledge & Skills: Working knowledge of air and hydronic balancing procedures; familiarity with BAS systems — Johnson Controls Metasys and Automated Logic WebCTRL preferred; Trane, TekAir, and Phoenix a plus; ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, specifications, and sequences of operation; proficiency with TAB instrumentation and data management tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ten or more years of TAB experience.
• NEBB TAB-CP or AABC Certified TBE certification.
• Experience reviewing TAB reports and commissioning documentation.
• Experience in BAS troubleshooting and optimization.
• Proven ability to work independently on complex TAB projects.

Compensation

The Anticipated Hiring Range for this position is $90,000 - $100,000 annually, commensurate with experience. This is a full-time position with UVA benefits.