Building Automation Controls Technician

Seasonal Contract position supporting the National Science Foundation managed United States Antarctic Program as part of the Antarctic Support Contract (ASC). Controls Technician will perform maintenance or construction work. Tasking is based on ASC schedule requirements. 

Position Responsibilities (not all inclusive): 

• Responsible for the commissioning, diagnosis, calibration, maintenance, and repair of environmental-control systems and processes, utilizing knowledge of electronics, direct digital control (DDC), airflow, hydronic systems, refrigeration theory, pH sensors, flow meters, electrical meters and system control techniques.  

• Analyzes, diagnoses, maintains, and repairs direct digital control system components.  

• Performs preventive maintenance, component replacement, and corrections as needed.  

• Maintains adherence to the configuration control process and proposes changes to the existing systems via the Configuration Change Request (CCR) process in concurrence with the responsible engineers for each area.  

• Works with the Controls Engineer, Power Plant Engineer, Power Plant Supervisor(s), Facilities Maintenance Supervisor, and the Facility Engineer to keep all control systems, mechanical and electromechanical field devices operating according to the basis of design.  

• Works to keep these systems operating as efficiently as possible. 

• Timely response to emergency service calls during and outside of normal working hours. 

• Accurate and thorough documentation of hours worked, tasking performed, materials used, and processes involved 

• Advise immediate Supervisor of job progress and material/labor requirements. 

• Accomplish tasking utilizing design drawings, specifications, and wiring diagrams.  

• Follow established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), suggest revisions as needed, and create SOPs as directed   

• Perform tasking outdoors in environmentally challenging conditions including wind and extreme cold weather  

• Use solid decision-making ability and sound judgment to safely and effectively solve problems. 

• Proactively identify any unsafe conditions or hazards and communicate them effectively 

• Work directly with other departments to plan and complete tasking. 

• Learn and use computer-based labor, material, and maintenance tracking applications. 

• May deploy to remote research support facilities for day trips or extended periods (McMurdo only) 

• Occasionally utilize the assistance of other station personnel to complete tasking, or assist other trades or departments with their tasking 

• Comply with all ASC Environmental, Safety and Health (ESH), Waste Management and Quality Assurance requirements. 

• Participate in Work Center Safety Program and ASC safety objectives 

• Participate in community programs such as “house-mouse” (chores), “daisy-picking” (station clean-up), “GASH” (galley clean-up at Palmer), and recycling efforts. 

• Perform other duties as required.  

Required Education, Experience, Certificates and Licenses: 

• High School diploma or GED 

• Minimum five years of experience in the installation and maintenance of complex controls systems with multiple interactions 

Expected Skills and Competencies:  

• Knowledge of how DDC, PLC, and/or other industrial control systems work 

• Previous experience with DDC, PLC or similar Ladder-Logic programming 

• Knowledge and understanding electromechanical and controls systems.   

• Troubleshooting experience with some or all the following equipment, not limited to:  HVAC, furnaces, boilers, generators, heat exchangers, pumps, fans, modulating valves, fluid flow and air flow systems, heat trace, electrical and controls systems. 

• Ability to read and interpret design drawings, specifications, and diagrams. 

• Minimum intermediate level computer skills with MS Office Suite experience to include Word, Excel and Outlook 

• Be able and willing to learn and effectively utilize computer-based labor, inventory, and maintenance tracking applications 

• Possess the competencies, willingness, and ability to perform the duties of position 

Preferred: 

• Experience with Alerton Ascent Compass Software 

• Experience with Alerton controls 

• Experience installing DDC (Direct Digital Control) controllers 

Physical and/or Other Requirements: 

• Willingness and ability to deploy to Antarctica for extended periods  

• Successful completion of Medical and Dental examinations required by the NSF for deployment to Antarctica 

• Successful completion of drug screening and background check required by employer 

• Successful completion of Federal Background Check required by the NSF 

• Must be willing and able to lift and move items, parts, assemblies, and equipment up to the safety regulation maximum as required by the position.  

• Must be willing and able to perform physical activities including heavy lifting, climbing in and out of equipment, crawling, and working outdoors in extreme cold as required by the position.  

• Must participate in community programs, such as “house-mouse” (chores), “daisy-picking” (cleaning-up around the station), recycling efforts & safety objectives.  

• Valid Driver’s License issued in the United States 

• Must be able to obtain and maintain facility credentials/authorization. Note: US Citizenship is required for facility credentials/authorization at this work location.