Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Facilities Management Technician

🎯 Role Definition

A Facilities Management Technician is responsible for the reliable operation, maintenance, and repair of building systems and physical plant infrastructure. This role delivers preventive and corrective maintenance across HVAC, electrical, plumbing, life-safety, and building automation systems to ensure safe, efficient and code-compliant facilities. The ideal candidate combines hands-on trade skills with strong troubleshooting, documentation, and vendor coordination capabilities to support occupancy, occupant comfort, and business continuity.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Maintenance Technician / Maintenance Mechanic
Building Engineer or Building Maintenance Assistant
HVAC or Electrical Apprentice

Advancement To:

Facilities Supervisor / Lead Technician
Building Engineer / Senior Facilities Technician
Facilities Manager / Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

HVAC Technician / Controls Technician
Commercial Electrician
Energy Management Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform scheduled preventive maintenance on HVAC equipment (rooftop units, chilled water systems, boilers, pumps, air handlers) to ensure optimal performance, extend equipment life, and reduce emergency repairs.
Troubleshoot and repair electrical distribution systems up to 480V, including circuit breakers, panels, contactors, starters, and emergency power transfer equipment while following lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures and safety standards.
Diagnose and resolve plumbing issues such as leaks, clogged drains, fixture repairs, valve replacements, and pressure-related problems in domestic water, storm, and sanitary systems.
Inspect, test, and maintain life-safety and fire protection systems including fire alarm panels, sprinklers, extinguishers, emergency lighting, exit signs, and smoke/heat detectors according to NFPA and local code.
Operate, program, and maintain Building Automation Systems (BAS/BMS) and HVAC controls to optimize temperature, ventilation, and energy efficiency across multiple zones and schedules.
Respond to corrective maintenance work orders and after-hours emergencies for building systems, triaging issues, providing temporary measures and scheduling permanent repairs.
Utilize Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) to create, update, close work orders, log time and parts used, and produce maintenance history for assets.
Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on emergency backup generators, transfer switches, fuel systems and perform load tests to ensure reliable emergency power.
Conduct routine building condition assessments, roof inspections, and envelope checks to identify water intrusion, HVAC performance gaps, and opportunities for energy savings.
Repair or replace doors, frames, hardware, windows, and perform basic carpentry and finish work to maintain tenant spaces and common areas in operational condition.
Assist in the installation, testing and maintenance of low-voltage systems such as access control, CCTV, intrusion alarms, and intercoms to support security and building access protocols.
Coordinate and supervise third-party contractors and vendors for specialized repairs, capital projects, and maintenance services while ensuring scope, quality and adherence to building policies.
Maintain inventory of maintenance supplies, spare parts and tools; requisition materials and manage storeroom stock levels to reduce downtime and control costs.
Apply troubleshooting methodology to diagnose mechanical vibrations, refrigerant leaks, bearing failures and pump/coupling misalignment and execute corrective actions or escalate as required.
Perform refrigerant system maintenance and recovery/recharge in compliance with EPA regulations and maintain required refrigerant logs and documentation.
Monitor, record and report utilities consumption and assist with energy conservation projects such as implementing control sequences, retro-commissioning and lighting upgrades.
Prepare and maintain accurate maintenance logs, inspection records, safety documentation, and regulatory compliance paperwork for internal audits and occupancy certifications.
Support renovation, tenant fit-out and small capital projects by providing site assessments, fixture removals/installs, systems shutdown coordination and punch-list completion.
Execute routine grounds and exterior maintenance tasks, including snow removal coordination, parking lot repairs, exterior lighting maintenance and minor landscaping oversight for curb appeal and safety.
Ensure workplace health and safety by enforcing PPE use, conducting toolbox talks, participating in safety inspections, and reporting/mitigating hazards in accordance with OSHA standards.
Perform pump system maintenance including seals, bearings, impellers, and alignment; maintain cooling towers and condenser water systems to control legionella and ensure thermal performance.
Calibrate HVAC sensors, thermostats and control loops; tune PID control strategies and verify setpoints and schedules to meet tenant comfort and energy targets.
Conduct periodic predictive maintenance activities such as infrared thermography, vibration analysis and oil sampling to detect and prevent imminent failures.
Assist in emergency preparedness and business continuity planning by maintaining emergency equipment, supporting evacuation drills and documenting critical asset recovery priorities.
Provide hands-on training and mentorship to junior maintenance staff and contractors on safe work methods, preventive maintenance procedures, and site-specific systems operation.

Secondary Functions

Assist facilities management with vendor procurement, obtaining quotes, and comparing scope-of-work to support cost-effective maintenance solutions and capital spend planning.
Support the Facilities Manager by compiling maintenance metrics, KPIs, and asset lifecycle reports to inform replacement budgets and long-term capital plans.
Participate in project kickoff meetings and coordinate site access, shutdown windows and communications with tenants and building stakeholders to minimize business disruption.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by recommending process changes, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and maintenance checklists based on field observations.
Assist with space moves and furniture/IT relocations by decommissioning/commissioning building services, verifying electrical and data requirements, and restoring systems post-move.
Coordinate waste disposal of hazardous materials, used oils, refrigerants and batteries in compliance with environmental regulations and company policies.
Support ad-hoc audits and third-party inspections by preparing required documentation, performing pre-inspection checks, and implementing corrective actions identified.
Help maintain the CMMS database by updating asset hierarchies, OEM manuals, critical spare lists and scheduling recurring preventive tasks.
Serve as a point of contact for on-site contractors during remediation or construction activities to ensure adherence to safety, building rules and insurance requirements.
Assist with tenant service requests, providing excellent customer service by communicating status, estimated timelines, and post-repair follow-up.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

HVAC systems troubleshooting and maintenance (rooftop units, split systems, chillers, boilers, pumps)
Electrical maintenance (wiring, breakers, starters, 120V–480V distribution) and basic motor control
Plumbing systems repair and preventative maintenance (fixtures, valves, drains, hot water systems)
Building Automation Systems (BAS/BMS) operation, programming basics, and controls optimization
CMMS proficiency (creating/closing work orders, scheduling PMs, inventory control) — e.g., FMX, UpKeep, IBM Maximo, Archibus
Fire/life safety systems testing and NFPA/ADA code familiarity
Emergency power systems maintenance (generators, ATS, UPS) and fuel systems oversight
Refrigeration service, leak detection, and EPA refrigerant handling compliance
Preventive and predictive maintenance techniques including vibration analysis and infrared thermography
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), confined space awareness, and OSHA safety compliance
Blueprint and mechanical drawing reading for HVAC, plumbing and electrical layouts
Carpentry, drywall repair, glazing, and basic HVAC sheet metal skills
Energy management fundamentals and experience implementing basic efficiency measures
Use of hand and power tools, diagnostic meters, and portable test equipment
Vendor management and contract coordination for third-party services

Soft Skills

Strong troubleshooting mindset with analytical problem-solving skills and the ability to prioritize under pressure
Excellent verbal and written communication skills for clear tenant and contractor interactions
Customer-service orientation with a professional demeanor when representing facilities operations
Time management and organizational skills to balance reactive and preventive work effectively
Teamwork and ability to mentor junior staff while coordinating across multi-disciplinary teams
Attention to detail in documentation, safety checks, and compliance reporting
Adaptability and a proactive approach to continuous improvement and emergency response
Project coordination skills and the ability to follow through on punch lists and closeouts
Ethical judgment and discretion when handling tenant spaces and sensitive areas
Physical stamina and manual dexterity to perform trades work safely and efficiently

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent; valid driver’s license.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree, technical diploma, or certificates in Facilities Technology, HVAC, Electrical Technology, Building Systems, or related field.
Trade certifications such as EPA 608, NCCER, HVAC/R certification, or journeyman license where applicable.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Facilities Management / Building Operations
HVACR Technology / Mechanical Technology
Electrical Technology / Industrial Maintenance
Construction Technology / Building Automation Systems

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2–5 years of hands-on building maintenance or facilities technician experience in commercial, institutional, or industrial settings.

Preferred:

3–7 years with demonstrated experience in multi-building campuses, complex mechanical/electrical systems, or regulated environments (healthcare, university, data center).
Experience using CMMS, managing third-party contractors, and supporting capital projects.