Instrumentation & Controls Technician

The University of Virginia's grounds encompass an unusually wide range of building types, including historic academic halls, active research laboratories, clinical spaces, and purpose-built facilities, all depending on reliable building automation systems. The Service Team within Facilities Management’s Building Automation Services department is the University’s primary provider of Building Automation Systems (BAS) services, delivering 24/7 support for HVAC control system failures, BAS network faults, and system alarms across research, healthcare, academic, and other mission-critical facilities. Our technicians troubleshoot and maintain HVAC control systems regulating temperature, humidity, and pressure in operating rooms, pharmacies, vivariums, and research laboratories, as well as critical monitoring systems for medical-grade freezers and cold rooms that support research and patient care. Our work ranges from routine service requests and preventive maintenance to emergency response and specialized testing supporting annual BSL-3 facility recertification. The Instrumentation & Controls Technician is a multidisciplinary technical professional who combines expertise in HVAC systems, direct digital controls (DDC), BAS software, network communications, and systematic troubleshooting to install, configure, maintain, diagnose, repair, and optimize building automation systems. Working independently and as part of a team, you will operate Johnson Controls Metasys, Automated Logic WebCTRL, and related BAS platforms to keep building operations safe, reliable, energy-efficient, and compliant. What Makes This Role Unique Diverse, mission-critical environments: Your work takes you through mechanical rooms, operating rooms, pharmacies, vivariums, and biosafety-designated laboratories, offering variety and technical challenges that are hard to find in a single employer. Meaningful impact: The systems you service protect patient care, research integrity, and regulated environments, including medical-grade storage that cannot afford to fail. Industry-standard platforms and protocols: Hands-on work with Johnson Controls Metasys, Automated Logic WebCTRL, and third-party platforms across BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IP, Modbus, and LON networks builds a rare, marketable combination of skills. Broad technical growth: The role blends HVAC, DDC controls, software, and network troubleshooting, along with exposure to commissioning and improvement projects. Stable employer with strong benefits: UVA Facilities Management is a team of over 1,200 professionals with institutional backing and one of the most comprehensive benefits packages in the region. Key Responsibilities Troubleshooting & Repair: Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair BAS and DDC systems, including supervisory devices, communications networks, field controllers, controller inputs and outputs (I/O), relays, sensors, actuators, and other field control devices. Service building automation controls supporting air handling units, variable air volume systems, fan coil units, chilled water, hot water, and steam distribution, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), and more. Interpret and apply sequences of operation to verify proper system operation and control performance. 24/7 Service & Emergency Response Provide 24/7 response to BAS service requests, system failures, communication faults, and alarms affecting HVAC systems and other mission-critical building operations. Diagnose and restore BAS functionality during equipment failures, building-wide outages, supervisory controller failures, and network communication disruptions. Troubleshoot and service critical-equipment monitoring systems supporting research laboratories, pharmacies, and medical-grade storage equipment, including ultra-low temperature freezers, refrigerators, cold rooms, and incubators. Coordinate emergency response with the System Control Center and communicate findings, corrective actions, and system status to research staff, pharmacy personnel, facility representatives, and other affected stakeholders. BAS Platforms & Configuration Operate Johnson Controls Metasys, Automated Logic WebCTRL, and third-party BAS platforms to monitor performance, manage alarms, analyze trend data, configure setpoints, and modify control logic. Create and maintain graphical displays, and upload or download application programs and device configurations. Install, configure, and calibrate DDC controllers, sensors (temperature, humidity, gas, pressure, flow, occupancy), and actuators in accordance with design specifications and sequences of operation. Network & Communications Configure, troubleshoot, and maintain BAS communications networks utilizing BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IP, Modbus, and LON protocols. Commission, replace, restore, and reconfigure supervisory devices and field controllers, including hardware addressing, software instance numbers, and IP configuration. Serve as the first-line diagnostic resource for BAS communications by isolating BAS faults from enterprise IT infrastructure issues and coordinating resolution with University IT teams and the System Control Center. Commissioning & Project Support Support commissioning, recommissioning, and operational turnover of BAS-controlled HVAC systems for construction, renovation, and infrastructure projects. Collaborate with internal and external commissioning agents to perform functional performance testing, verify system operation, and implement required modifications. Support annual BSL-3 facility recertification through BAS functional verification, HVAC control-system testing, and safe-mode testing in coordination with facility stakeholders. Communication & Support Communicate professionally with building occupants, research staff, Facilities Management personnel, contractors, and University leadership. Consult with supervisors and subject matter experts on complex or unfamiliar systems. Perform other duties as assigned, including participation in an on-call rotation to ensure continuous coverage and service availability for mission-critical and emergency situations. Documentation & Drawings Locate and interpret as-built drawings, control schematics, riser diagrams, network architecture diagrams, point lists, and sequences of operation to support service, troubleshooting, commissioning, and installation activities. Document service findings, corrective actions, and calibration records in the University’s Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Required Qualifications Education & Experience: High school diploma or GED equivalent, with a minimum of two years of progressive, hands‑on field experience in BAS service, DDC controls, or HVAC controls in a commercial or institutional environment. Licensure: Valid Virginia driver’s license, or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment. Work environment: Ability to work in high-energy and high-risk environments, including mechanical rooms, rooftops, and confined spaces. Preferred Qualifications Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Building Automation, HVAC/R Technology, Electronics Technology, or a closely related technical field. Working knowledge of HVAC systems, including air handling units, variable air volume, chilled water, and heating systems, and the ability to read sequences of operation, control drawings, wiring diagrams, and mechanical drawings. Demonstrated proficiency with Johnson Controls Metasys and/or Automated Logic WebCTRL, including controller configuration, graphics development, and alarm management. Experience servicing BAS infrastructure in a university, research laboratory, healthcare, or other complex institutional environment. Working knowledge of BACnet/IP and BACnet MS/TP network configuration, troubleshooting, and integration. Experience with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) for work order management and service documentation, such as AiM, IBM Maximo, SAP Plant Maintenance, Fiix, or UpKeep. Recognized control industry certification, such as ISA CCST, Johnson Controls Metasys Certification, Automated Logic WebCTRL Certification, Smart Buildings Academy (SBA) Building Automation Certification, or a journeyman-level HVAC or electrical license. The selected applicant will be required to pass a background check prior to the start date. Compensation & Benefits The anticipated hiring range for this position is $28.00–$32.00 per hour ($58,240–$62,400 annually), commensurate with relevant experience and skills. UVA offers a comprehensive benefits package including: 22 days of paid time off, increasing with service; 13+ paid holidays each year; Parental and Community Service Leave Health plan with options to meet healthcare and financial needs Virginia Retirement System (VRS) defined‑benefit pension Tuition and professional development benefits Employee wellness program with activities to earn up to $500/year Working Conditions This is an active, physical role. Technicians work throughout the University’s healthcare, research, and academic facilities, including mechanical rooms, rooftops, confined spaces, operating rooms, pharmacies, vivariums, and biosafety‑designated laboratories, and may work in high‑energy or high‑risk environments. Work in clinical and research settings requires compliance with all site‑specific safety, infection control, and operational protocols, including designated protective attire where required. Participation in an on‑call rotation is part of the role. About UVA Facilities Management UVA Facilities Management is a team of over 1,200 professionals responsible for the day‑to‑day operation, repair, and maintenance of UVA’s buildings, infrastructure, and grounds, as well as capital construction and renovation for university‑owned and leased properties. FM supports the University’s wide range of research, academic, and patient care programs. The Building Automation Services department deploys and maintains the intelligent systems that keep UVA’s environment safe, comfortable, and efficient. The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non‑discrimination and equal opportunity employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr