Compensation: $53.46 per hour

Position Summary

The Lead Stationary Engineer serves as a senior technical member of the Facilities Management engineering team and assists the Chief Engineer with the daily operation, maintenance, and reliability of university building systems and infrastructure. In addition to performing the responsibilities of a Stationary Engineer, this position provides day-to-day technical leadership to engineering staff, assists with assigning and prioritizing work, coordinates preventive maintenance activities, supports contractor activities, and helps ensure consistent operating practices across shifts. The Lead Stationary Engineer serves as the primary backup to the Chief Engineer and may coordinate Engineering operations in the Chief Engineer's absence. The position remains a hands-on working engineer and is expected to troubleshoot complex building-system problems, mentor other engineers, and support the University's educational, research, clinical, and residential operations.

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision offered through the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399. In addition, RFU offers paid parental leave; short term and long term disability plans; life insurance; flexible spending accounts; a 403(b) retirement plan which includes a 8% employer contribution once eligible, and other ancillary benefits. RFUMS is committed to employee wellbeing and work-life balance. This position is eligible for up to 40 hours of personal leave, 10 days of vacation, 15 sick days, and holiday pay.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform all duties associated with the Stationary Engineer position, including operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of HVAC, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and building automation systems.
• Assist the Chief Engineer with daily coordination and prioritization of Engineering work.
• Serve as the primary technical and operational backup to the Chief Engineer.
• Provide technical direction and assistance to Stationary Engineers and Facilities personnel when troubleshooting complex equipment or building-system problems.
• Assist with coordinating shift coverage, emergency response, planned shutdowns, equipment outages, and other operational activities.
• Review open work orders and preventive maintenance activities and assist in ensuring work is completed and documented appropriately in the CMMS.
• Assist the Chief Engineer in developing and maintaining preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Monitor BAS operation and identify equipment problems, operational deficiencies, scheduling opportunities, and energy-conservation measures.
• Coordinate and oversee contractors performing mechanical and related building-system work as assigned.
• Assist with commissioning, startup, and turnover of new or modified mechanical equipment and building systems.
• Provide technical support for research laboratories and other critical environments where temperature, ventilation, pressure, utilities, or equipment reliability are essential.
• Mentor and train Engineering staff and promote consistent operating and maintenance practices across shifts.
• Assist in maintaining operating procedures, equipment documentation, maintenance records, and emergency-response procedures.
• Identify recurring equipment failures and recommend corrective actions, equipment replacements, or capital improvements.
• Promote safe work practices and compliance with OSHA, EPA, NFPA, applicable codes, and University policies.
• Participate in the Engineering on-call rotation and respond to campus emergencies as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Engineer or Facilities Management leadership.

Conditions of Employment

• Must achieve satisfactory results from a background check.

Required Education & Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in commercial, institutional, healthcare, research, or similar complex facilities operations and maintenance.
• Current Stationary Engineer License or comparable combination of education, licensing, and experience.
• EPA Universal Refrigerant Certification required or must be obtained within 90 days of employment.
• Valid Illinois Driver's License required.
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting and maintaining central building mechanical systems, HVAC equipment, pumps, motors, air handling equipment, controls, and related infrastructure.

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong working knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and building automation systems.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex building-system and equipment problems and provide technical direction to others.
• Working knowledge of BAS and computerized maintenance management systems.
• Ability to read mechanical drawings, control diagrams, sequences of operation, equipment manuals, and technical specifications.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work, coordinate multiple activities, communicate effectively with staff and contractors, and make sound operational decisions during equipment failures and emergency situations.
• Ability to work independently and exercise appropriate judgment when the Chief Engineer or Facilities leadership is not immediately available.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, mentoring, and customer-service skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ten or more years of facilities engineering experience.
• Previous lead, foreman, or supervisory experience.
• Experience in a university, hospital, research, laboratory, pharmaceutical, or similarly complex institutional environment.
• Strong BAS experience, including troubleshooting controls and sequences of operation.
• Experience with central plant equipment, chillers, boilers, cooling towers, pumps, VFDs, emergency generators, and critical exhaust/ventilation systems.
• Experience coordinating contractors and major equipment maintenance.
• Experience with CMMS work planning and preventive maintenance programs. OSHA 10/30 or other applicable safety training.
• Additional electrical, HVAC, plumbing, welding, or controls certifications.

Typical Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• The position requires frequent standing, walking, climbing ladders, bending, kneeling, lifting up to 75 pounds, and working in mechanical rooms, rooftops, confined spaces, and varying weather conditions.
• The employee may be required to respond to emergencies outside normal working hours and participate in an on-call rotation.
• Selected candidate must have the mental and physical capabilities to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.