Building Engineer

Overview

Avanath is proud to be named one of the top property management companies to provide affordable housing for the workforce.

Cultivating the American Dream is the purpose that binds the Avanath team. At Avanath, every day is an opportunity to make a difference in someone's life. Whether it is helping residents call one of our communities home, providing excellence in customer service, or championing our workforce, we are committed to creating an unforgettable experience as a great place to live, work, and be. 

The Role

The Building Engineer is responsible for the operation, maintenance, repair, and preventive maintenance of all building systems and equipment within the community, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and life safety systems. The Building Engineer ensures all systems operate safely, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable regulations while supporting resident satisfaction and property performance. 

The incumbent in this role must possess a high degree of professionalism and positive engagement for our residents and the workforce.

• An Aptitude for Connecting - Must possess a strong sense for creating a sense of community, as well as the drive to go the extra mile to create a positive experience for all residents and team members. Your success and purpose are driven by the relationships that you build within your communities, including vendor partners, regulatory, and social services partnerships. This includes adopting a collaborative approach to create consistent, favorable circumstances that foster success and effectiveness for the Organization and the communities.
• An Authentic Attitude - Consistently demonstrate an open and professional attitude and approach when assessing and resolving resident and team member concerns. This includes, but is not limited to, seeking resources throughout the organization via the organization's support services and senior leadership.
• An Approach that is positive and Professional - Consistently demonstrate an approach of active listening and understand that your participation and support are integral to the success of Avanath, ensuring that each resident and team member feels seen, heard, and valued as you and the team work to resolve challenges.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of building maintenance, facilities, engineering, or multifamily maintenance experience. 
• Minimum 2 years operating and maintaining HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems. 
• EPA Section 608 Universal Certification (MANDATORY). 
• Valid Illinois Driver License (MANDATORY). 
• High school diploma or GED required. 
• Technical, trade school, or vocational training preferred. 
• Experience with Building Management Systems (BMS/BAS) preferred. 
• Strong HVAC, boiler, electrical, plumbing, and life safety systems knowledge. 
• Strong troubleshooting and preventive maintenance skills.

Key Accountabilities

• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and life safety systems. 
• Perform routine inspections and preventive maintenance. 
• Maintain engineering logs, inspection reports, and compliance documentation. 
• Coordinate vendors and contractors. 
• Respond to emergency maintenance situations. 
• Assist with capital improvement projects. 
• Monitor building performance and energy efficiency. 
• Manage maintenance inventory, tools, and PPE. 
• Participate in on-call rotations and after-hours emergency response. 
• Deliver exceptional customer service to residents. 

• Perform proper operations and maintenance of all mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems.
• Oversee the efficient and safe operation of the building’s low-pressure steam-heating system, fire-alarm systems, and security systems.
• Maintain required engineering-related logbooks and inspection reports for the low- pressure steam-heating systems and water-treatment systems.
• Perform the daily blow-down requirements for the steam-boiler systems and daily inspections as required by DCRA.
• Develop and implement preventive maintenance programs for each of these systems.
• Oversee maintenance staff’s work-order tickets, internal repairs, and unit turns using the electronic portal (Yardi Voyager), including performing basic IT repairs.
• Schedule maintenance personnel, including normal shift scheduling, on-call, snow and ice control, and special events and emergencies.
• Serve as the main point of contact for all required maintenance repairs, small projects, and capital projects performed by outside contractors.
• Ensure all precautionary safety requirements related to safety inspections, processes, and procedures are followed.
• Maintain up-to-date logs of the condition of all physical assets throughout the buildings and grounds, including exterior and interior components of the building and mechanical and electrical systems.
• Consult with Management in making recommendations on internal repairs, capital projects, and other various projects to be performed.
• Report monthly ongoing projects to Management.
• Ensure that required maintenance supplies for the building are ordered and on hand for accomplishing the engineering functions.
• Order necessary tools, equipment, and supplies for the Maintenance Department
• Order PPE supplies for staff.
• Perform annual staff reviews, in conjunction with the General Manager, for maintenance personnel.
• Ensure the safe disposal of bulk trash by staff, contractors, and others, and maintain the cleanliness of all spaces in which mechanical and electrical equipment is located.
• Be reachable through cell phone after hours to address emergencies that pose a threat to life or property, and to handle common-area-related issues, which may include maintenance of the mechanical and physical plant operations of the building during non- scheduled regular working days, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Perform the necessary duties required to correct emergency conditions such as sewer backups, water flooding into the building, and related incidents.
• Study and review available technical information of the community to better understand the design and operation characteristics of the building equipment.
• Maintain ongoing communication with Management regarding all issues affecting the building.

• Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with Company, property, and departmental policies, procedures, and standards by immediately reporting any mechanical or electrical equipment malfunctions, employee/visitor/resident injuries or accidents, or other safety issues to the appropriate individual(s)
• Complies with Avanath’s safety and risk-management policies by attending and participating in the property’s routine safety meetings, completing required training on OSHA and other safety-related laws and requirements, and reporting accidents and incidents promptly and accurately.
• Follows established policies and procedures by monitoring and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, organizational standards, and operational processes related to area(s) of responsibility and reporting violations or infractions to appropriate individual(s).
• Conduct all business in accordance with company policies and procedures, Fair Housing, Americans with Disabilities Act, and all other laws pertaining to the apartment industry.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• This position works within the community, which may include accessing residents' units for life and safety matters, and a normal office environment. There may be contact with residents, employees, and the public. Due to the potential exposure risk, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required. The incumbent in this position is classified as essential staff and is expected to report to work and adhere to all safety and business protocols established during the pandemic.  Please be further advised that Avanath does require temperature and symptom monitoring to assist the teams in minimizing the risk of exposure.

How Avanath Supports You

We know that our teams are the heart of our success and growth, and we are committed to showing our appreciation.

We offer:

• Culture Built on Purpose and Core Values - A Commitment to Integrity, A Spirit of Caring, and A Focus on Continuous Improvement.
• Comprehensive Benefits – health, dental & vision, 401(k), personal time off, paid holidays and more!
• Growth is based on achievement and an emphasis on promoting from within our ranks versus just external candidates.
• Development – a commitment to creating opportunities to learn and expand your knowledge in the industry, from online training platforms to training classes to one-on-one coaching.

Diversity & Inclusion

Avanath Capital is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Our human capital is the most valuable asset we have, and Diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) are at the very core of Avanath’s operating and investment philosophy. We believe that bringing together people with diverse thoughts, backgrounds, talents, and experiences at all levels of our organization, including the executive team, enables us to proactively and creatively achieve our mission to enable opportunities for hard-working American families. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities, and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of our culture, our reputation, and our achievements.

We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

Our organization’s diversity initiatives include—but are not limited to—our practices and policies on recruitment and selection; compensation and benefits; professional development and training; promotions; transfers; and the ongoing development of a work environment built on the premise of gender and diversity equity that encourages and enforces:

• Respectful communication and cooperation between all employees.
• Teamwork and employee participation, permitting the representation of all groups and employee perspectives.
• Work/life balance through flexible work schedules to accommodate employees’ varying needs.
• Employer and employee contributions to the communities we serve to promote a greater understanding and respect for diversity.

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