Position Title:
Utility Technician I
Work Type:
Full time
Location:
Swarthmore College
Approved Location Type:
On Campus
Department:
Work Shift:
Day Shift (United States of America)
Who We Are:
The Swarthmore College Maintenance Department is responsible for maintaining, repairing, and improving the college’s physical infrastructure, including campus buildings, classrooms, residence halls, offices, and common areas. Their work ensures that Swarthmore College remains a safe, functional, and comfortable environment for students, faculty, and staff.
The Opportunity:
The Utility Technician I is responsible for performing preventative, predictive, corrective, and general mechanical maintenance on campus heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), steam distribution, and related mechanical systems throughout Swarthmore College and its residential facilities.
Working in coordination with Heat Plant Operators, HVAC Technicians, and other Facilities personnel, the Utility Technician I helps ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of campus mechanical equipment and infrastructure.
This position focuses primarily on the inspection and preventative maintenance of stationary mechanical equipment in accordance with established preventative maintenance schedules, manufacturer recommendations, and operational requirements.
Equipment and systems serviced may include air handling units, pumps, motors, compressors, steam traps, pressure-reducing valves, generators, piping systems, and associated mechanical components.
The position requires the ability to work safely around electrical systems, including 480-volt three-phase power, high-temperature piping, and medium-pressure steam systems operating at pressures up to 150 PSI. A strong commitment to safety, attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, and equipment reliability is essential.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Perform scheduled preventative and predictive maintenance on HVAC, steam, and other mechanical equipment throughout campus.
- Inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and rebuild air handling equipment, including replacing belts and filters, cleaning coils, lubricating bearings, and recording motor amperage and operating conditions.
- Assist in the maintenance and repair of pumps, motors, compressors, and other mechanical equipment.
- Perform routine maintenance, inspections, testing, and fueling of emergency generators.
- Repair, replace, and install mechanical piping, valves, gaskets, filters, fittings, and other HVAC-related components.
- Identify equipment deficiencies, unusual operating conditions, and potential failures, and communicate findings to the appropriate supervisor or department personnel.
- Assist with troubleshooting mechanical system performance issues and identifying opportunities to improve equipment reliability and efficiency.
- Use CMMS to maintain accurate records of preventative maintenance activities, repairs performed, equipment conditions, labor, and materials used.
- Follow established safety procedures, including lockout/tagout, confined space entry, electrical safety, and other applicable workplace safety requirements.
- Coordinate work activities with Heat Plant Operators, HVAC Technicians, and other Facilities staff to minimize equipment downtime and maintain campus operations.
What you bring:
Required Qualifications
- Valid driver's license.
- High school diploma or GED equivalent. Trade school or technical training in mechanical systems, HVAC, or a related field is preferred.
- Minimum of two years of experience in a work environment requiring mechanical skills, preferably in HVAC, facilities maintenance, industrial maintenance, or boiler/steam plant operations.
- Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and experience working with engines, pumps, motors, compressors, or similar mechanical equipment.
- Basic understanding of mechanical systems, piping, valves, bearings, belts, and rotating equipment.
- Ability to use computers and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) for work order documentation, data entry, and maintenance reporting.
- Ability to communicate effectively through radio, telephone, and other communication methods.
- Ability to prepare written documentation detailing work performed, equipment conditions, labor, and materials used.
- Ability to safely operate and interpret readings from diagnostic and testing equipment, including multimeters, amp meters, temperature sensors, and other mechanical measurement instruments.
- Ability to read and follow equipment manuals, maintenance procedures, diagrams, and technical instructions.
- Demonstrated commitment to safe work practices and the ability to recognize and communicate potential workplace hazards.
Preferred Qualifications
- Technical training or certifications in HVAC, mechanical maintenance, or industrial maintenance.
- Experience maintaining steam distribution systems, steam traps, pressure-reducing valves, and related equipment.
- Experience with preventative and predictive maintenance programs.
- Familiarity with electrical motors, motor controls, pumps, compressors, and mechanical power transmission systems.
- Experience working in a college, institutional, commercial, or industrial facilities environment.
What You Will Get:
You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.
The market range for this position is $24.20-$28.00 per hour, which represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting. The salary offered is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience and education of the final selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.
PA Criminal Required
Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.
MVR Required by Position
Due to operating a College owned motor vehicle while performing essential job responsibilities for this position, a motor vehicle report (MVR) clearance is required prior to the start of employment.
Applications received are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. An optional cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position is preferred. If you have experience that meets any of the preferred qualifications, please include a detailed explanation of any such experience in your cover letter and how it meets the preferred qualification(s).
Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.
Swarthmore Benefits and Programs
Swarthmore College is committed to creating a culture of respect and inclusion so that every member of our community feels a sense of belonging. We actively seek and welcome candidates with diverse perspectives and experiences, exceptional qualifications, and a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any identity or characteristic protected by law or College Policy.
