Energy & Controls Technician

Position Summary

Rice University’s BioScience Research Collaborative (BRC) provides an innovative physical and programmatic environment where scientists and educators collaborate to conduct biorelated research. It is an interdisciplinary, cross-campus, and inter-institutional resource for new and better ways to collaborate, discover, learn and lead. It is equipped for cutting-edge laboratory, theoretical and computational investigations, and features ten floors of research labs, centers, Rice classrooms and auditoriums. It is designed to eventually accommodate a visualization center and an entire floor dedicated to biomedical informatics. It is gold level certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The BRC energy/controls technician performs a variety of skilled duties related to energy conservation initiatives for the BioScience Research Collaborative (BRC). Some of these duties include supporting the calibration and servicing of all building utility metering equipment, testing, re-commissioning and modifying HVAC systems sequence of operations, and building schedules to improve efficiencies for energy conservation. The BRC energy/controls technician also maintains, repairs, calibrates and monitors all chilled water, steam and electric meters for the BRC, works closely with the FE&P Energy Tiger Team on energy conservation initiatives, and related energy conservation projects, and works closely with the BRC Management and Maintenance teams to address, repair and replace deficient system components and instruments.

The ideal candidate has experience with HVAC controls, energy management systems, metering devices (temperature, pressure, flow and electrical), instrumentation, electronic and pneumatic process control, along with experience or formal training with Siemens Controls and/or Tridium based building controls.

Required Qualifications

• HS Diploma or equivalent
• ISA Certified Automation Professional (CAP) or ISA Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) or the ability to obtain a CAP or CCST certification within 24 months of being hired
• Two years of related experience in
  • commercial construction (i.e. General Contractor, Subcontractor and/or Consultant Level) and/or facilities maintenance experience focusing on building automation, HVAC and/or other MEP systems
  • experience with HVAC controls, energy management systems, metering devices (temperature, pressure, flow and electrical), instrumentation, electronic and pneumatic process control traditional and digital marketing campaigns
• Skills Required
  • Strong interpersonal verbal and written communication skills
  • Must be computer literate and proficient with Microsoft Office as well as various construction software programs and tools
  • Ability to read and interpret schematics, construction drawings and specifications for controls, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems
  • Must have excellent time management skills
  • Positive attitude and professional customer service skills
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and industry partners

Substitutions

• In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted

Essential Functions

• Performs a daily review of the building systems, troubleshoots and makes sure necessary changes are made in programming and calibration to assure proper operation of controls and instrumentation; keeps accurate documentation of work performed
• Creates work requests for BRC maintenance staff to perform as related to energy conservation initiatives through installing, inspecting, testing, calibrating and repairing pneumatic, electrical and electronic control equipment, meters and instrumentation related to heating, ventilation, air conditioning, fume hood and exhaust systems; follows up with the BRC Construction Services Manager to make sure all work requests have been accurately completed; and assists the BRC Management team as needed to keep work orders and projects on track and correctly prioritized
• Identifies energy conservation measures in the BRC building by making inspections, identifying deficiencies, and implementing ways to fully utilize and improve existing building systems
• Identifies and corrects areas where energy is being wasted, and implements and identifies energy conservation measures and projects
• Identifies utility-saving measures and makes recommendations for the annual utility budget
• Develops and applies a thorough understanding of the operation of the building utility metering system, including meter technology types and brands, meter operation, and meter interconnections with data reporting systems- Develops (and submits for approval) meter and meter installation specifications for new and replacement campus building meters including steam, steam condensate, chilled water, electrical, and compressed air meters
• Reviews and recommends approval for construction submittals dealing with new or replaced meters
• Coordinates the ordering, receiving, and installation (including outages) of replacement building meters and meter components for outdated or failed meters or meter components using FE&P or contractor support as needed
• Performs calibrations of campus meter components requiring calibration
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions / Information

• Acts as a supervisor for other maintenance staff in the absence of the director of operations, BRC
• May be required to supervise contractors

Preferences

• Experience
  • Five years of experience of commercial construction (i.e. General Contractor, Subcontractor and/or Consultant Level) and/or facilities maintenance experience focusing on building automation, HVAC and/or other MEP systems
  • Some formal experience with Siemens Controls and/or Tridium based building controls
• Skills
  • Excellent record keeping and data retrieval skills
  • Ability to prioritize and take initiative
  • Attention to detail and accuracy, confidentiality, and accountability
  • Excellent critical thinking and problem solving skills
  • Well-developed technical skills and analytical ability to solve problems and find value opportunities/savings in projects

Rice University HR | Benefits

https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values

Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

Faculty and staff are expected (but not required) to have completed a full vaccination series for COVID-19 (currently defined as full course COVID-19 Vaccine (typically two shots of a WHO-approved COVID-19 Vaccine or one J&J) and a COVID-19 booster. Rice does not require documentation for COVID 19 vaccination at this time for faculty and staff. More information can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies