Facilities and Grounds Technician

operations.

The Facilities and Grounds Technician independently, and at times under the direction of the Director, develops and manages maintenance schedules and project timelines; diagnoses and repairs building systems; coordinates with contractors and vendors; verifies completed work; and maintains accurate documentation. Assigned work may involve HVAC, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, flooring, access systems, vehicles, grounds, and other facilities infrastructure.

ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL AND SCHEDULING REQUIREMENTS

This position is designated as essential personnel. The employee must be available to support emergency response, inclement-weather operations, alternate shifts, after-hours assignments, weekends, holidays, and the Residential Life and Housing weekend on-call rotation as directed by the University.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform skilled and semi-skilled scheduled, unscheduled, corrective, and preventive maintenance on campus buildings, facilities, grounds, equipment, and machinery.
• Assemble, install, inspect, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair electrical and electronic components, wiring, plumbing and piping systems, structures, fixtures, finishes, HVAC systems, locks and access systems, compressors, generators, engines, and related equipment within assigned competency and authorization.
• Diagnose equipment, system, and facility problems; determine corrective solutions; and consult building codes, blueprints, technical manuals, safety data, parts catalogs, and manufacturer instructions as necessary.
• Repair or replace defective components using appropriate hand tools, power tools, diagnostic devices, and test equipment, and test equipment for proper operation after repairs.
• Maintain an inventory of critical spare parts, supplies, tools, and consumable materials and communicate replenishment needs.
• Develop, update, and monitor maintenance schedules, work plans, project timelines, inspection cycles, and preventive-maintenance activities.
• Coordinate with contractors and vendors supporting HVAC, electrical, plumbing, landscaping, and other campus services; monitor access and work activity; and verify completion within approved scope and specifications.
• Recommend practical improvements to contracted services, maintenance practices, equipment reliability, safety, functionality, and campus appearance.
• Assist with project planning, site preparation, implementation, closeout, and documentation.
• Perform work in accordance with safety procedures, building codes, environmental requirements, manufacturer instructions, and applicable federal, state, local, and University standards.
• Maintain accurate work orders and records of inspections, preventive maintenance, repairs, testing, safety systems, parts, equipment history, and contractor activity.
• Recognize and report unsafe conditions, system failures, leaks, odors, gases, electrical hazards, access concerns, and other risks; secure affected areas and initiate an appropriate response within assigned authority.
• Use required personal protective equipment and maintain tools, equipment, vehicles, and work areas in a safe and orderly condition.
• Support landscaping projects, seasonal grounds care, site cleanup, exterior maintenance, and campus appearance initiatives.
• Inspect, operate, and support the proper upkeep of University vehicles and facilities equipment; drive University vehicles as assigned.
• Support University events through setup, teardown, moving materials, cleanup, and restoration of spaces.
• Respond to service requests and communicate work status, access needs, delays, and completion information to supervisors and campus customers.
• Travel between University properties and work locations as necessary.
• Lead or coordinate other maintenance staff on assigned projects, provide task direction, and verify completion when assigned, while remaining accountable to the Director.
• Participate in emergency, on-call, weekend, holiday, and alternate-shift coverage as assigned.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the position as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or recognized equivalent.
• Five years of verifiable journey-level experience in a relevant building or facilities trade; or completion of a U.S. Department of Labor-recognized apprenticeship or comparable trade credential in electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, or a closely related field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing HVAC equipment and components, including bearings, coils, motors, controls, and related systems.
• Experience in institutional, commercial, campus, or multi-building facilities operations.

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Valid, unexpired driver's license and continued ability to meet University driving requirements.
• Availability to work assigned shifts, weekends, holidays, on-call rotations, emergency operations, and inclement-weather response.
• Ability to obtain and maintain licenses, certifications, clearances, training, and personal protective equipment requirements applicable to assigned duties.
• Successful completion of all University-required pre-employment screenings.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of multi-craft maintenance methods, materials, tools, equipment, and safe work practices in areas such as carpentry, electrical, heating and cooling, plumbing, grounds, and general building repair.
• Ability to interpret and follow oral and written instructions, blueprints, diagrams, technical manuals, work orders, codes, specifications, and safety procedures.
• Ability to safely operate common hand and power tools, ladders, hoists, saws, drills, wrenches, precision measuring instruments, and appropriate electrical or electronic testing devices.
• Strong troubleshooting, planning, time-management, prioritization, organization, documentation, and project-completion skills.
• Professional communication, customer service, teamwork, dependability, attention to detail, adaptability, and commitment to quality.
• Ability to use computers, email, work-order systems, mobile devices, and standard office applications.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from varied cultures, roles, and backgrounds and represent the University professionally.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work is performed indoors and outdoors across campus buildings, rooftops, grounds, mechanical spaces, vehicles, and other facilities areas. The position involves exposure to heat, cold, rain, humidity, noise, dust, fumes, chemicals, gases, moving equipment, electricity, confined or restricted spaces, heights, and other conditions associated with facilities and grounds work. The employee must follow all applicable safety practices and use required protective equipment.

The position requires availability during inclement weather and emergencies, including tropical storms and excessive heat, when Facilities Management is needed to protect, restore, or maintain campus operations.

The employee must be able to remain stationary or move throughout the workplace for extended periods; climb and work from stairs and ladders; access rooftops and tight spaces; bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and work at low levels; operate machinery, tools, controls, computers, and testing equipment; detect unusual sounds, odors, chemicals, or gases; and lift, carry, push, pull, or move items weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

SUNO BENEFITS

SUNO offers eligible employees a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Health insurance through the Louisiana Office of Group Benefits (OGB): https://info.groupbenefits.org/health-plans/
• Retirement through the Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL): https://www.trsl.org/
• Dental insurance offered through UNUM: https://www.unum.com/employees/Benefits/dental-insurance
• Vision insurance offered through UNUM: https://www.unum.com/employees/Benefits/vision-insurance
• Paid time off and University holidays for eligible positions: https://www.suno.edu/page/TimeOffBenefit and https://www.suno.edu/page/holidays

Benefit eligibility, enrollment, employee contributions, coverage, leave accrual, and retirement participation are governed by applicable plan documents, state law, University policy, appointment type, and employment eligibility.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Applicants should submit a completed employment application, current resume, and any supporting documents requested in the online posting. Applications must clearly describe the applicant's education, trade credentials, and relevant journey-level facilities or building-trade experience. Review of applications will continue in accordance with the timeline stated on the SUNO employment website.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other federal, state, and local laws, Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) forbids discriminating or harassing conduct that is based on an individual's race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, membership in Uniformed Services, and all other categories protected by applicable state and federal laws.

This commitment applies but is not limited to decisions made with respect to hiring and promotion, the administration of educational programs and policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other University-administered programs. Discriminatory acts of any kind are strictly forbidden.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT STATEMENT

Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Office of Human Resources.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
STATE AS A MODEL EMPLOYER (SAME)