Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Overnight Maintenance

🎯 Role Definition

Overnight Maintenance (Night-Shift Maintenance Technician) is responsible for ensuring building systems and equipment operate reliably and safely during non-business hours. This role focuses on preventive maintenance, rapid emergency repairs to minimize production or operational downtime, security and site safety, and accurate documentation of all maintenance activities. The ideal candidate possesses strong troubleshooting skills across electrical, HVAC, and plumbing systems, is proficient with CMMS/work-order systems, has solid safety and lockout/tagout experience, and can work independently while coordinating with day-shift teams and external contractors.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Facilities Assistant / Maintenance Helper
Janitorial or Custodial Team Member transitioning into technical maintenance
Apprentice Electrician / HVAC Helper

Advancement To:

Lead Night Maintenance Technician / Shift Lead
Building Engineer or Senior Facilities Technician
Maintenance Supervisor / Facilities Supervisor
Facilities Manager / Plant Maintenance Manager

Lateral Moves:

HVAC Technician (specialization)
Industrial Electrician
Controls / Building Automation Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Respond promptly and professionally to overnight emergency calls and unplanned equipment failures (including electrical faults, HVAC breakdowns, plumbing leaks, and production equipment stoppages), diagnose root causes, and complete repairs to restore safe operation while minimizing downtime.
Conduct thorough preventive maintenance (PM) on HVAC, boilers, chillers, pumps, motors, belts, bearings and other mechanical systems according to scheduled PM checklists, updating and closing PMs in the CMMS with detailed notes and parts used.
Troubleshoot and repair electrical systems up to the candidate's qualified level: replace starters, contactors, fuses, breakers, light fixtures, ballasts, and perform conduit and wiring repairs in compliance with local electrical codes and company safety procedures.
Perform plumbing maintenance such as repairing leaks, unclogging drains, replacing valves, servicing water heaters, maintaining condensate lines, and ensuring building water systems are operational and code-compliant.
Maintain and service building automation and control systems (BMS/EMS): monitor trends, recalibrate sensors, restore control sequences, and coordinate with controls specialists for programming changes or complex faults.
Inspect and maintain life-safety systems nightly: verify emergency lighting, exit signs, fire doors, elevator safety interfaces, and coordinate with vendors for fire alarm or suppression system repairs while maintaining proper documentation for audits.
Operate and test backup power systems and generators on routine schedules and during outages — conduct load tests, check fuel and oil levels, replace batteries, and log run-time and maintenance events.
Secure the facility at the end of shift and during overnight presence: perform building rounds, check and secure exterior doors/windows, verify locking of sensitive areas, and document unusual conditions or security incidents.
Perform roof and exterior building inspections, identify water intrusion or structural damage, execute temporary repairs (patching, tarping) and schedule permanent corrective actions with appropriate teams.
Maintain proper lighting levels across production, storage, and egress areas: replace bulbs, repair fixtures, and troubleshoot lighting circuits to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.
Use the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to receive, prioritize, update, and close work orders; enter accurate labor, parts, and materials usage; and escalate recurring issues for root-cause analysis.
Maintain inventory of commonly used spare parts and supplies for night operations, replenish stock as needed, prepare purchase requests, and coordinate timely deliveries to avoid extended downtime.
Perform lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures for safe repair activities, document LOTO events per company policy, and ensure all affected employees are notified and protected during maintenance tasks.
Conduct routine building and equipment inspections and complete shift logs with clear, actionable handover notes for the day shift; highlight outstanding repairs and safety concerns during handoff.
Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying recurring failures, proposing cost-effective corrective actions, participating in root cause analysis, and implementing preventive changes under supervision.
Coordinate and supervise third-party contractors called in for overnight repairs (electricians, plumbers, roofers), verify scope of work and safety compliance, and ensure contractor documentation and invoices are submitted.
Perform basic carpentry, painting, and millwright tasks: repair doors, frames, shelving, guardrails, and minor structural elements to maintain a safe and functional workplace.
Conduct groundskeeping and exterior maintenance duties when required (snow removal, de-icing walkways, water management, minor landscaping) to maintain safe access for staff and deliveries.
Perform routine HVAC filter changes, belt and bearing replacements, lubrication, and condenser/evaporator coil cleaning to ensure efficient seasonal operation.
Calibrate and maintain inspection tools and measurement devices, such as multimeters, megohmmeters, infrared cameras, and vibration analyzers, ensuring test equipment is accurate and records are maintained.
Manage hazardous materials and waste in accordance with company policy and regulatory requirements: label containers, maintain SDS access, and support spill response and remediation activities.
Implement energy conservation measures during overnight operations (lighting reductions, ventilation setpoint adjustments) while maintaining required environmental and safety conditions.
Execute preventive checks and minor repairs on material handling equipment (forklifts, pallet jacks, conveyors), coordinate with certified operators for repairs and ensure proper safety tags and documentation.
Provide hands-on support during shutdowns or scheduled maintenance outside normal hours and assist with planned capital projects or equipment installations as assigned by management.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe maintenance work area and comply with all PPE, scaffold, confined space entry, and permit-to-work requirements during night operations.

Secondary Functions

Deliver clear and professional communications to day-shift personnel and management during handovers, including detailed property condition reports, outstanding work orders, and safety incidents.
Assist in training and mentoring entry-level night maintenance staff and temporary personnel on safe work practices, company standards, and CMMS usage.
Participate in continuous improvement and preventive maintenance planning by recommending schedule changes, spare parts rationalization, and reliability projects derived from overnight failure trends.
Support site security and access control processes by validating visitor requests, coordinating with security teams, and documenting all access exceptions and vendor movements.
Assist facilities and operations teams with inventory audits, cost tracking for maintenance activities, and monthly reporting of key maintenance KPIs (response time, PM compliance, mean time to repair).
Engage in periodic safety walkthroughs and compliance checks with EHS teams to identify hazards unique to night operations and recommend corrective actions.
Provide on-call availability rotation as required and respond to off-site emergency notifications to restore safe operations or coordinate escalation.
Help coordinate and schedule preventive services with external vendors to minimize daytime disruption and ensure vendor adherence to site-specific safety and quality requirements.
Support ad-hoc facility projects such as office reconfigurations, signage updates, and minor tenant improvements during low-occupancy hours.
Capture and upload photos, diagnostic data, and test results to the CMMS or digital maintenance logs to support remote troubleshooting and knowledge transfer.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Electrical troubleshooting and repair (Single/Three-phase systems, motor starters, control circuits, VFD basics).
HVAC systems servicing and troubleshooting (package units, rooftop units, chillers, boilers, controls).
Plumbing maintenance (valve replacement, pipe repair, drain clearing, water heaters, condensate management).
Proficient use of CMMS systems (creating, updating, closing work orders; preventive maintenance scheduling; parts tracking).
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures and confined space entry protocols.
Fire and life-safety system awareness (sprinkler, alarm basic checks and coordination with certified vendors).
Generator and backup power system operation and testing.
Basic building automation and controls (BMS/PLC/thermostat calibration and fault logging).
Hand and power tools, meter usage (multimeter, clamp meter, infrared thermometer, vibration tools).
Material handling and light equipment maintenance (forklift familiarity, conveyor troubleshooting).
Blueprint, schematic, and technical drawing reading.
Welding and fabrication basics (MIG/TIG/Arc for minor repairs) — where applicable.
Preventive maintenance planning, predictive maintenance basics, and vibration/thermography familiarity.
Regulatory compliance knowledge (OSHA requirements, EPA 608 for refrigerants where applicable).
Digital literacy: mobile devices, email, work-order apps, and basic Excel or inventory systems.

Soft Skills

Strong troubleshooting and analytical thinking with a methodical approach to diagnosing root causes.
Excellent written and verbal communication for shift handovers, contractor coordination, and management reporting.
Ability to work independently overnight with strong decision-making and prioritization skills.
Attention to detail and strong documentation discipline for safety, maintenance records, and regulatory compliance.
Customer-service orientation toward internal stakeholders: production, warehouse, security and operations teams.
Time management and ability to manage multiple concurrent repair requests under time pressure.
Team player attitude with willingness to train and support cross-shift colleagues.
Adaptability and calm under emergency and high-stress situations.
Continuous improvement mindset and willingness to suggest reliability-focused process changes.
Dependable and punctual with a professional approach to night-shift responsibilities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED required.

Preferred Education:

Vocational certificate, technical diploma, or associate degree in HVAC, Electrical Technology, Industrial Maintenance, or Facilities Management preferred.
Manufacturer-specific certifications (e.g., HVAC, control systems) a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

HVAC / Refrigeration Technology
Electrical Technology / Industrial Electricity
Industrial Maintenance / Mechanical Technology
Facilities Management / Building Automation

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1–5 years of hands-on maintenance experience; overnight or swing-shift experience preferred.

Preferred:

2+ years working night-shift maintenance in manufacturing, warehousing, healthcare, or large commercial facilities.
Experience with CMMS (e.g., Maximo, MPulse, Fiix, Maintenance Connection) and digital work-order management.
Certifications such as OSHA 10/30, EPA 608 (for refrigeration), forklift operator, NFPA awareness, or journeyman/apprentice credentials are highly desirable.
Demonstrated experience with preventive maintenance programs, emergency response procedures, and cross-functional coordination with operations and security teams.
Ability to pass background checks, drug screening, and meet physical job requirements for lifting, climbing, and confined space work.