Building Engineer

About Harwood International

Harwood International is an international real estate firm with offices and developments in select niche markets including Dallas, Geneva, London’s West End, and Paris. The company is recognized globally as a purveyor for building the finest developments in terms of design, location, and quality while creating cultural experiences within them that are beyond exceptional. Harwood International is best known for transforming the Uptown Dallas neighborhood into the acclaimed District of Harwood featuring premier class restaurants, plus luxury office and residential space set within a park-like campus with garden and art-filled lobbies.

Summary

The Building Engineer is responsible for working directly with property management and engineering management in implementing and maintaining the energy management, preventative maintenance, quality standards, operating objectives and goals of the owner and Harwood Management Services. This must be done in a manner that not only protects but also maximizes the value of the property.

The Building Engineer is to provide and assure a safe, clean, comfortable environment for tenants, visitors, owners, and associates; to perform repairs and preventative maintenance functions necessary to building operations and as requested by tenants or property management; to work within the guidelines of the budget to keep maintenance costs at a minimum and to make the tenants feel comfortable in their work environment.

The job is successfully completed when the building meets the owner’s and tenant’s expectations and the safety and comfort of the tenants, associates and visitors is confirmed through follow up.

Job Functions

Mechanical:          

• Monitors, operates, tests, maintains, and restores to working order any component of the main mechanical or engineering systems used within the property. This involves hands-on scheduling and performance of preventative maintenance, inspection of equipment and systems for problems, execution of performance tests using the appropriate tools and/or equipment, and record keeping of all data associated with these tasks.

Plumbing:

• Perform routine plumbing repairs, including sink, urinal & toilet plugs or other related issues.
• Make necessary repairs to flush valves including rebuilding valve kits, replacing batteries and whole unit replacement if needed.

Fire & Life Safety:

• Test and maintain the emergency systems including fire alarms, fire panel, smoke detectors, fire suppression equipment and emergency power supply systems.
• Coordinate, in conjunction with property management, fire drills and life safety emergency drills, accurately recording all necessary documentation.
• Responds appropriately to and assists emergency response personnel at any time when on duty or on-call.

General Building Maintenance and Operations:

• Participate in, assist, or take responsibility for establishing or improving maintenance and operations programs/schedules for all equipment, grounds, facilities, and facility components. This includes door repair, ceiling tile repair, general painting, key control, housekeeping, porter responsibilities, irrigation, landscape awareness and lighting replacement and/or maintenance.
• Read, understand, and operate test equipment (refrigerant gauges, thermometers, volt-ohm, and amp meters).
• Read and comprehend blueprints and schematic diagrams of wiring, plumbing, pneumatics and building construction. Must operate in an environment of a busy schedule with interruptions.

Electrical:

• Working knowledge of systems from 12 volts to 480 volts and battery supplied power.
• Troubleshoot and solve various electrical systems at the property.
• Repair or replace faulty lights, ballast, plugs and switches. Reading Electrical meters monthly or as needed.

Energy Management Systems:

• Comprehension of multi-integrated systems into a single source for monitoring.
• Ability to troubleshoot, down to the device level of all integrated systems and accurately report findings.

Management and Communication:

• Build and maintain effective communications and relationships with a variety of audiences such as tenants, company associates, internal contacts, regulators, and vendors.
• Communication needs to be proactive and persuasive as well as responsive and service oriented.
• Will on occasion assist with or in the coordination of activities of the Day Maid or Porter.

CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System):

• Must be able to understand CMMS software to receive, react and complete work orders by using a handheld device or desktop computer, including recording time, parts and description of repairs as needed. This includes all Tenant requests, Management request, predictive and preventative maintenance work orders, issued on a daily/weekly/monthly basis.

On-Call Service:

• Must accept responsibility for after-hours technical and physical interventions at the property. These can require visits to the property or connections by computer link.

Teamwork:

• Must be able to act as full member of the property management team, building and maintaining effective relationships, managing differences of opinion, sharing ideas while being persuasive and listening effectively.
• Physical abilities include: Lifting upwards of 60lbs, standing/walking for long periods of time and capable of climbing ladders.
• Must keep up a professional appearance and hygiene.

Competencies

• Adaptability / flexibility
• Customer service
• Dependability
• Job knowledge
• Managing technology
• Project management
• Quality
• Sense of urgency
• Verbal / written communication skills
• Organization and analytical skills
• Ability to provide efficient, timely, reliable and courteous customer service
• Ability to effectively present information

Work Environment                                                                                                                                   

This job operates indoors and outdoors.  This role routinely requires the employee to be on their feet for extended periods of time. May require bending, pinching, or picking up / carrying heavy items. 

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work                                                                                      

This is a full-time position; typical work hours and days are Monday through Friday, with staggered shifts by personnel for coverage needs.  7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with 1 hour for lunch. May be some flexibility in hours required.

Required Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in electrical systems, refrigeration and/or HVAC
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in commercial building maintenance
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in commercial HVAC systems
• Universal CFC
• Certification in either electrical, mechanical, HVAC and refrigeration systems, process controls, mechanical power transmissions, painting, plumbing, carpentry, or engine repair
• Proficient in Microsoft office