Building Automation Systems Technician

What's the role?

Reporting to the Manager of Facility Services, the Building Automation Systems (BAS) Technician's primary objective is to ensure the safety and security of personnel and property at Northwestern Mutual. Day-to-day responsibilities include testing, installing, maintaining, and repairing the electronic security, surveillance, automation, and life safety systems within the building complex. The BAS Technician writes and inputs programs for the building automation control systems and actively participates in special projects, from design to installation.

Your experience with fire alarm systems or controllers, technically savvy nature, effective problem-solving skills, and customer service mentality will be critical as you partner cross-departmentally and immerse yourself in a variety of areas and opportunities. We look forward to hearing about your motivation to contribute to a broader purpose with a team that encourages individual and professional development.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• (40%) Performs ongoing preventive maintenance of the automation systems, BMCS (building management & control systems), life safety systems, security systems and surveillance systems. Maintains Building Automation System's LAN network, including but not limited to workstations, networking cables, servers and access points. Tests these systems for proper operation, diagnoses and analyzes test results and makes appropriate adjustments, modifications or replacement of electronic or electromechanical and related hardware as required. Uses technical and working knowledge of electricity, electronics and software programming to troubleshoot and repair the above-mentioned systems. Assists in the planning sequence and/or method in which the electronic maintenance and repair is completed. Responsible for ordering electronic equipment and maintaining an inventory of parts.
  
  (40%) Performs ongoing preventive maintenance of the automation systems, BMCS (building management & control systems), life safety systems, security systems and surveillance systems. Maintains Building Automation System's LAN network, including but not limited to workstations, networking cables, servers and access points. Tests these systems for proper operation, diagnoses and analyzes test results and makes appropriate adjustments, modifications or replacement of electronic or electromechanical and related hardware as required. Uses technical and working knowledge of electricity, electronics and software programming to troubleshoot and repair the above-mentioned systems. Assists in the planning sequence and/or method in which the electronic maintenance and repair is completed. Responsible for ordering electronic equipment and maintaining an inventory of parts.
• (30%) Creates changes, reevaluates programming language for building automation system and other equipment using software. Maintains complete and current documentation for all changes to the systems and informs the system's users of changes and how they affect daily operations. Maintains software back up of automated building system processors. Recommends system enhancements and expedites their implementation. Programs automation systems to fulfill the operational needs of the facility staff and assists them in understanding programming options.
  
  (30%) Creates changes, reevaluates programming language for building automation system and other equipment using software. Maintains complete and current documentation for all changes to the systems and informs the system's users of changes and how they affect daily operations. Maintains software back up of automated building system processors. Recommends system enhancements and expedites their implementation. Programs automation systems to fulfill the operational needs of the facility staff and assists them in understanding programming options.
• (15%) Installs electronic equipment and associated hardware in accordance with various codes such as National Safety Code, NFPA Joint Industrial Conference standards, NICET and National, State and Local electrical codes. Designs, builds and installs control circuits used to enhance existing security, surveillance, life safety, HVAC and automation systems. Serves as a resource to building services and security staff in the operations of said equipment. Performs maintenance and installation on other electronic equipment i.e. two-way radios, fitness equipment and digital recording systems. Creates updates and builds schematics and wiring diagrams as required. Disables and removes obsolete electronic equipment and support wiring.
  
  (15%) Installs electronic equipment and associated hardware in accordance with various codes such as National Safety Code, NFPA Joint Industrial Conference standards, NICET and National, State and Local electrical codes. Designs, builds and installs control circuits used to enhance existing security, surveillance, life safety, HVAC and automation systems. Serves as a resource to building services and security staff in the operations of said equipment. Performs maintenance and installation on other electronic equipment i.e. two-way radios, fitness equipment and digital recording systems. Creates updates and builds schematics and wiring diagrams as required. Disables and removes obsolete electronic equipment and support wiring.
• (15%) Plays an integral role in the development and implementation of various building projects. Responsible for researching best practices while incorporating safety and regulatory issues involving building automation, life safety and security systems. Responsible for scheduling, collaboration and supervising service contractors and expediting progress and completion of projects. Responsible for the maintenance of the building automation database in respect to the ongoing needs of the organization. Instrumental in development of related databases and the importing/exporting of data to other company software systems.
  
  (15%) Plays an integral role in the development and implementation of various building projects. Responsible for researching best practices while incorporating safety and regulatory issues involving building automation, life safety and security systems. Responsible for scheduling, collaboration and supervising service contractors and expediting progress and completion of projects. Responsible for the maintenance of the building automation database in respect to the ongoing needs of the organization. Instrumental in development of related databases and the importing/exporting of data to other company software systems.

Bring Your Best! What this role needs:

Requirements:

• Associate's degree in Electronics with 3+ years of proven experience with installation, programming and maintenance of building automation systems (preferably Honeywell and Johnson Controls) or an equivalent combination of education and experience required.
  
  Associate's degree in Electronics with 3+ years of proven experience with installation, programming and maintenance of building automation systems (preferably Honeywell and Johnson Controls) or an equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Ability to read building blueprints and schematics, along with advanced knowledge of relevant state and local building codes and standards.
  
  Ability to read building blueprints and schematics, along with advanced knowledge of relevant state and local building codes and standards.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and have a proven track record of effective independent decision-making.
  
  Ability to work with minimal supervision and have a proven track record of effective independent decision-making.
• Excellent analytical, problem solving, and documentation skills.
  
  Excellent analytical, problem solving, and documentation skills.
• Strong customer focus, initiative, accuracy, and effective organizational and communication skills. Responsiveness to customer requests and effective communication.
  
  Strong customer focus, initiative, accuracy, and effective organizational and communication skills. Responsiveness to customer requests and effective communication.
• Proven ability to work independently or as part of a team and to adapt to changing priorities; a track record of consistently good attendance.
  
  Proven ability to work independently or as part of a team and to adapt to changing priorities; a track record of consistently good attendance.
• Ability to work at heights, on ladders, scaffolding and lifts.
  
  Ability to work at heights, on ladders, scaffolding and lifts.
• Must be able to work overtime when required.
  
  Must be able to work overtime when required.

Technical Requirements:

• Working knowledge of the hardware and software components of a PC, as well as basic data networking concepts.
  
  Working knowledge of the hardware and software components of a PC, as well as basic data networking concepts.
• Demonstrated proficiency in common PC functions and applications, such as Microsoft Windows file systems, Outlook, Office, Internet Explorer, etc.
  
  Demonstrated proficiency in common PC functions and applications, such as Microsoft Windows file systems, Outlook, Office, Internet Explorer, etc.

Certification Requirements:

• Strongly Preferred: NICET Certification in Fire Alarm Systems Level 1 (required to be obtained within 1 year of employment)
  
  Strongly Preferred: NICET Certification in Fire Alarm Systems Level 1 (required to be obtained within 1 year of employment)
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