Building Engineer Class 1

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Full-time Regular New Orleans, LA, US

The Building Engineer Class 1 is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and regulatory compliance of all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems within an assigned housing authority residential building. This role ensures the safety, comfort, and structural integrity of the property by overseeing critical infrastructure such as elevators, water pumps, and multi‑zone HVAC systems. Reporting to the Area Maintenance Manager, the Class 1 Engineer serves as the on‑site technical authority, coordinating third‑party service providers and ensuring the building meets all federal housing inspection standards.

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Performs skilled technical work to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot building mechanical, electrical, plumbing, elevator, fire‑life safety, and emergency power systems across housing authority properties.
• Operates and maintains boilers, hydronic heating loops, domestic hot water heaters, and circulating pumps, including monitoring performance and addressing issues proactively.
• Conducts combustion checks, test all boiler safety devices, perform seasonal startup and shutdown procedures, and ensure full compliance with boiler codes, regulatory requirements, and scheduled inspection protocols.
• Troubleshoots, diagnoses, and service rooftop units, split systems, makeup air units, PTAC units, and heat pumps.
• Performs seasonal HVAC changeovers and routine preventive maintenance such as filter replacements, belt changes, lubrication, coil cleaning, and airflow balancing to extend equipment lifespan and improve efficiency.
• Monitors, adjusts, and optimizes Building Management Systems to maintain occupant comfort, enhance equipment performance, and reduce overall energy consumption.
• Inspects, maintains, and repairs electrical panels, breakers, feeders, lighting systems, and emergency power circuits to uphold system reliability and code compliance.
• Diagnoses and repairs commercial electrical systems up to 480V, including motor control centers, emergency lighting networks, and associated building power infrastructure.
• Supports generator‑to‑building interface operations including testing and verifying the functionality of automatic transfer switches to ensure seamless transition during power outages.
• Maintains domestic water booster pumps, multi‑stage pump assemblies, and pressure‑reducing valves to ensure consistent and reliable water pressure across facilities.
• Manages high‑rise drainage systems, sanitary stacks, waste vents, and storm drains to prevent backups and ensure safe and sanitary building conditions.
• Responds promptly to leaks, clogs, pressure abnormalities, pump failures, and fixture malfunctions, performing corrective repairs to restore proper operation.
• Serves as the on‑site liaison for third‑party elevator contractors servicing traction and hydraulic elevator systems, ensuring adherence to maintenance schedules and safety standards.
• Coordinates, witnesses, and documents municipal elevator inspections, state certifications, and annual full‑load safety tests, maintaining complete and accurate compliance records.
• Acts as the first responder to elevator entrapments, following authorized containment and extraction procedures to ensure occupant safety.
• Performs visual and operational inspections of elevator cabs, door tracks, hoist…