Building Automation Technician Series

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Building Automation Technicians perform a variety of duties related to the design, development, and improvement of building automation systems (BAS). They inspect, troubleshoot, and maintain BAS, involving trades or contract personnel when necessary to make repairs or adjustments. Building Automation Technicians also review the existing BAS and recommend, assist with the design of, or revise existing systems. All work pertaining to the operation of building mechanical systems is initiated by the Chief or Assistant Chief Plant Operating Engineer. Any other trades doing work for the Heat, Light, and Power Division, any shutdown, start-up, or adjustment of any heating-ventilating-air conditioning or building system will be accomplished by an Operating Engineer.

DESCRIPTIONS OF LEVELS OF WORK

Employees in positions allocated to this level perform routine technical duties in troubleshooting and repairing building-automation-systems field cabinets, sensors, and controls. They typically work under the direct supervision of a higher level Building Automation Technician, foreman, Chief or Assistant Chief Plant Operating Engineer or other designated supervisor.

A(n) Building Automation Technician I typically -

1. troubleshoots and repairs building-automation-system field cabinets, including communications equipment, printed circuit boards, power supplies, electrical/electronic controls, sensors, and transducers;
2. assists the Building Automation Technician II in performing necessary commissioning, diagnostic, and maintenance procedures (such as field verification of system functions to ensure the proper operation of building automation systems;
3. assists the Building Automation Technician II in editing computer programs for building-automation-system points (such as determining conversion patterns, de¬fining point acronyms, and/or soliciting alarm specifications from operating personnel;
4. assists the Building Automation Technician II in the implementation of energy conservation measures by utilizing and/or modifying the existing building¬ automation-system features (such as mathematical computation and environmental controls);
5. records and maintains inventory records and cost summaries for leased equip¬ment, including radios, pagers, and other communications equipment;
6. prepares and maintains mechanical, instrumentation, and communications equipment inventory;
7. prepares and revises building-automation-system equipment control methods;
8. performs other related duties as assigned.

Employees in positions allocated to this level develop and assist with the design of building automation systems. They typically supervise employees in Level I. Employees allocated to positions in Level II work under the general supervision of an engineer, Chief or Assistant Chief Plant Operating Engineer, or other designated supervisor.

A(n) Building Automation Technician II typically -

1. assists an electronics engineer in the design and implementation of various building automation hardware and computer software systems;
2. makes recommendations to an electronics engineer regarding revisions to the building automation hardware and associated building-automation system functions;
3. coordinates university and contractor's personnel when needed for additions and modifications of building automation systems;
4. coordinates standing order service contract work on the computer and associ¬ated peripherals;
5. assists in the preparation of computer, communications, and security programs; also prepares project cost estimates;
6. monitors work progress and job costs on building automation systems;
7. supervises the work of the Building Automation Technician I;
8. troubleshoots, repairs, or coordinates repair of building-automation-system console communications equipment including printed circuit boards, modems, and leased data circuits;
9. prepares drawings and diagrams of system additions or revisions after install¬ation;
10. writes and debugs computer programs for the building automation system (such as energy consumption reports and utility distribution reports);
11. performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

1. Any one or any combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the following categories:
   1. course work in building automation systems, electrical engineering, HVAC technology or a closely related field, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
      • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
      • Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
      • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
      • Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
   2. work experience involving maintenance of a building automation system.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

1. Knowledge of basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, and their applications.
2. Knowledge of basic electronics principles.
3. Knowledge of computer hardware and software.
4. Skill in reading blueprints and schematics.
5. Skill in record keeping.
6. Ability to identify problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
7. Ability to learn the buildings and general layout of the institution served.

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

1. Any one or any combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the following categories:
   1. course work in building automation systems, electrical engineering, HVAC technology or a closely related field, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
      • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
      • Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
      • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
      • Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
   2. work experience involving maintenance of a building automation system.
2. Two (2) years (24 months) of work experience performing routine technical building automation duties.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

1. Knowledge of basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, and their applications.
2. Knowledge of computer programming.
3. Knowledge of electronics principles.
4. Skill in reading blueprints and schematics.
5. Skill in record keeping.
6. Ability to learn the buildings serviced by the building automation system.
7. Ability to supervise.
8. Ability to help plan and design building automation systems.