DDC Technician
DDC Technician
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
Building Services provide full maintenance and repair services for all UNC facilities and ensure the proper operation of those facilities in support of the UNC mission of teaching, research and public service. Building Services supports more than 300 campus buildings with more than 18 million gross square feet of space. The teams that provide quality maintenance, repair and construction services that support the teaching, research, and public service mission of the University include Campus Maintenance, EMCS, Facilities Operations Support, Housing Support, HVAC Systems, Life Safety Services, and the Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling. The HVAC and Energy Management Controls systems shops are responsible for the maintenance of HVAC and building automation control systems. The shops’ mission is to ensure that buildings are maintaining indoor air quality (IAQ) requirements, that building conditions are adequate for the program needs of the occupants, equipment, and research being conducted therein; and to ensure that space conditions are kept within the state and university energy policy guidelines, unless exemptions have been granted based on special needs in accordance with the policy guidelines.
Position Summary
This recruitment is for three (3) Electronics Specialist – Journey positions (00058680, 00060638, 00057186). By applying, you will be considered for all three (3) positions:
Provides technical support and performs preventive maintenance tasks associated with HVAC systems, DDC hardware, and software and field bus wiring. Duties and responsibilities include supporting projects, reviewing designs, inspecting installations, maintaining spare parts, and performing highly complex hands-on Building Automation Systems (BAS) installations, repairs, upgrades and preventive maintenance tasks.
The DDC Technician works closely with the university’s Information Technology (IT) staff on networking, software installation, backups, licensing, security, and related issues for computers and embedded controllers. The DDC Technician is not responsible for the gateway device or front-end graphics, but does work closely with Energy Management Control System (EMCS) personnel to ensure that graphics and front end functions such as scheduling and alarming are functional. For installation projects, the DDC Technician works closely with engineering staff, electricians, sheet metal and plumbing staff.
Most importantly, the DDC Technician supports the BAS control techs. With minimal supervision, the DDC Technician proactively works to optimize HVAC systems in alignment with university goals and priorities. Focusing primarily on weekday support, takes the lead in implementing preventive maintenance tasks and building optimization HVAC control projects. Other responsibilities include leading repair efforts and ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget. This work includes technical documentation and check out sheets, field controller programming changes, control wiring modifications, mechanical repairs of HVAC systems and control equipment, testing and some balance work. Also assists reactive maintenance staff in resolving complex BAS control issues and anticipates BAS safety issues, taking proactive steps to maximize safe operations.
Works closely with other trades personnel, including those in Life Safety Services, Campus Maintenance, Housing, HVAC, and supervisors and staff to sustain a high-performance service culture that promotes sound planning and excellent execution. Fosters a safe, respectful, and diverse work environment that values its people. Works closely with building coordinators and other departments such as Environment, Health and Safety; Energy Management; Facilities Planning and Design and Construction Services to ensure that facilities’ programmatic requirements are met and remain compliant.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Associate’s degree in electronics; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Ability to implement good database management practices; maintain good communication between the building techs, supervisors, engineering staff and customers; ability to understand general IT options and practices for software version control and backups, as well as specific DDC software programming, database management strategies and procedures.
Must be capable of reading and understanding narratives and drawings in the UNC controls guidelines and implementing the intent of those standards as closely as possible with a given mechanical and software system. Ability to troubleshoot, reverse engineer, and improve existing installations including comparing them to the UNC controls guidelines. Requires the ability to understand the different training needs and interests of the various staff using software programming tools and help them achieve their goals through formal or informal training, mentoring, coaching, cross training, and/or use of training panels. Ability to assist technicians in ensuring they have the software and hardware interfaces needed to do their jobs.
Must be technically capable of balancing conflicting demands of energy efficiency, indoor air quality, reliability, and occupant thermal comfort. Knowledge of principles (e.g., psychometrics, fluid flow, control theory,) indoor environmental quality (e.g., thermal comfort, air contaminants, odors,) loads (e.g., ventilation, infiltration, energy calculations,) HVAC design (e.g., space air diffusion, duct design, insulation,) and equipment and components (e.g., variable frequency drives, humidifiers, valves) is essential.
General knowledge of codes, standards, and practices such as the NC Mechanical Code, the NC Energy Conservation Code, ASHRAE Standard 62.1 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, ANSI/AIHA Z9.5 American National Standard for Laboratory Ventilation, and NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.
Ability to communicate with building managers and occupants to understand their needs and ensure the HVAC system, particularly from the software side, delivers what occupants need (e.g., for JCAHO, AAALAC, or CDC accreditation) while complying with the UNC energy use policy.
May be required to work in active BSL3 labs, which requires a baseline blood draw, a physical, and vaccines (currently flu and tetanus) as well as annual medical certification, respirator fit testing, and specific training. Entry into such labs requires escort from Environment, Health, & Safety, respirator use, safety attire, and possibly shower in/out.
Ability to serve as a mandatory employee and report to work in support of mandatory (essential) University operations, even when adverse weather or other emergency conditions may require the University to close.
A valid NC driver’s license or the ability to obtain one prior to start date.
Universal Refrigerant Certification or Type I and II Refrigerant Certification required within 90 days of hire.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Two-year degree in electronics, computers, or HVAC technical trades (or similar,) and three or more years of progressively responsible experience in the installation, operation, and maintenance of complex DDC systems.
Prefer candidates with prior proven success in BAS design, estimating and project management, particularly under State government and university statutes, procedures and guidelines.
Specific knowledge of:
- Brand specific field controllers for Schneider IA series, DMS series, Net 8000 series controllers, Struxureware software, Johnson Controls DX 9100, UNT, VAV series, FEC series, PRG LON series controllers, Circon, Siemens, Pheonix or Tech Air systems and controllers and the associated software programming tools
- Brand specific gateways for Schneider Electric Struxureware software, R2/AX/N4 Tridium work place pro software, JCI PMI or Metasys software, Siemens, Phoenix or Tec Air programming tools
- Connection to BAS controllers with serial converters and other interface devices
- Microsoft remote desktop, Cisco VPN client, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth
- Controller integration into R2/AX/N4 Tridium Jaces, StruxureWare ASP’s, JCIMetasys NAE’s
- Echelon products such as the i.LON routers, L-IP’s, U10/U20 USB network interface, and the LonScanner protocol analyzer
- LonWorks, BACnet, and N2 communication protocols
- Line and block programming
- Loop tuning including using automated algorithms
- Application specific and freely programmable controllers
- Microsoft Visio, Excel, Word, and Outlook
- Circon, JCI, Trane, Carrier, Schneider, Siemens, Argus, Tech Air and Phoenix controls
- VAV and constant volume operations
- Energy strategies for supply temperature reset, demand-controlled ventilation, fan pressure optimization, energy recovery, and economizer control
- Planning for failures such as loss of power or freeze protection, including the best options for control devices
- Selecting control hardware, such as RTDs, pressure transmitters, valves and actuators
- Replacing obsolete control hardware on a part-by-part basis due to funding limitations while maintaining continuity of service
- Industrial control panel building
- Decade boxes, process calibrators, and signal generators
- Safety circuits/hard wire interlocks and relay logic including fire alarm tie-ins
- Pneumatic controls
- Air and hydronic test and balance and commissioning
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Ability to climb ladders, work from scaffolds, work in confined spaces, work above ceilings and crawl under buildings and structures; ability to move objects weighing up to 50 lbs., wear a respirator, safety shoes, and other personal protective equipment as determined by the task being performed; ability to work in areas containing bio-hazardous material, animals used for research, or chemicals. Ability to respond to visual and audible alarms and alerts.
Position/Schedule Requirements
Evening work occasionally, Night work occasionally, On-call, Overtime occasionally, Valid NC Driver’s License, Weekend work occasionally
Please apply online at https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/232092
Special Instructions
This recruitment is for three (3) Electronics Specialist – Journey positions (00058680, 00060638, 00057186). By applying, you will be considered for all positions.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.