Senior Digital Control Technician (Facilities Operations)

This Senior Digital Control Tech role manages and optimizes campus building automation and energy management systems to improve efficiency, reliability, and utility savings. Responsibilities include monitoring and programming BAS/DDC systems, analyzing energy data, troubleshooting building systems, coordinating with contractors and internal teams, managing work orders, and responding to environmental and emergency issues. The position also oversees staff, supports energy conservation initiatives, and is designated as essential, requiring availability during normal business hours and emergencies.

Strong communications skills, extensive knowledge of controls and building automation (Johnson Controls - preferred), experience with troubleshooting instrumentation and HVAC systems.

Position Summary:

Provides advanced skilled work in the efficient and effective installation, maintenance, and application of digital controls and building automation systems in the monitoring and operation of building equipment used to support and maintain the environment within administrative, service, and research facilities campus-wide.

Position Key Accountabilities:

• Maximizes utility savings and effective operational control of equipment using the energy management control system (EMCS)/building automation system (BAS). This includes monitoring, adjusting, balancing, testing, calibrating, scheduling, troubleshooting, repairing, installing, performance testing, and commissioning direct digital controls (DDC) controls, and performs database backups and systems software and hardware upgrades. Affected equipment and systems include, but are not limited to, HVAC, electrical, lighting, compressors, RO, domestic and lab water, fire, flood doors, sump pumps, vacuum, steam, and exhaust.
• Installs and maintains metering devices. Sets up and records trends, historical, and totalization data logs to determine utility consumption and identify issues campus-wide. Performs system analysis and develops strategies to improve system efficiency using real time data, data logs, psychrometric chart, spreadsheets, and utility manager software applications.
• Develops strategies for improving overall system efficiency. Maintains and configures control systems, develops and writes programs using various programming and graphical building automation software applications, and set limits for critical building and associated equipment alarms. Review, share, and discuss energy savings strategies during monthly energy conservation meetings.
• Responds to environmental calls (temperature, mechanical noise, odors, etc.) from internal and external customers and troubleshoots associated systems to determine the cause of the problem.
• Works with Director of Controls and Utilities, Project Management, and Maintenance and Operations personnel to review, inspect, and record project information as needed. Works directly with contractors to define the project scope of work, collect quotes, and follow up on work performed. Provides support and training to other departmental personnel as required. Participate in monthly Faculty Advisory Council meetings by answering questions and providing updates.
• Receives, enters, and completes assigned work orders using the computerized maintenance manager system (CMMS) through personal computer (PC) and smartphone applications. Provide weekly written summary of day to day activities to the Director of Controls and Utilities.
• Required to carry a university communication device as assigned and respond to calls during normal business hours.

• This job classification is designated as essential at the UT Health Science Center at Houston. In case of an emergency, essential positions are those required to sustain clinical services and/or are responsible for the protection of university assets. Personnel in designated essential positions are expected to report to their designated work site during their appointed work schedules, even when the institution has been officially declared to be on restricted access or closed due to adverse conditions.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

• Advanced building automation system (BAS) skills.
• Advanced understanding of laboratory environmental systems controls.
• Working knowledge of MS Office Suite software applications (Word, Excel, Visio, etc.).
• Familiar with BACnet and other Gateway protocols.
• Computer hardware and networking knowledge as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (mechanical equipment), electrical and basic electronics knowledge.
• Proficient in the use of electrical testing instruments such as digital multi meters, clamp-on ammeters, hand held temperature, humidity, and water hardness testing equipment, temperature and humidity data loggers, air flow testing and balancing equipment, and a psychrometric chart.

Minimum Education:

Associate's Degree in HVAC or Instrumentation required
May substitute required education with equivalent years of experience beyond the minimum experience requirement.

Minimum Experience:

5 years of experience in commissioning, installing, and operating direct digital controls and communications network without direct supervision required

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.