Senior Building Engineer

Senior Building Engineer

Omaha Zoo - Omaha, NE

Overview

Position Type: Full Time

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Building Engineer

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Classification: Full-time

Hours: 6:30 AM - 3:30 PM; Sunday - Thursday

Pay Rate: Range starts at $24.79/hour

Summary: As the Senior Building Engineer, you will be responsible for the oversight, maintenance, and optimization of all building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and life safety systems, at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. You will help manage a team of engineers and technicians, work on high-priority mechanical systems, and lead projects that support both the infrastructure and daily operations of the zoo. Your technical expertise and leadership will ensure the zoo's mechanical systems are running efficiently and safely, contributing to the exceptional guest and animal experiences the zoo provides. If you are passionate about mechanical systems, energy efficiency, leadership, and continuous professional development, this is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic team and make a meaningful impact on the daily operations of one of the top zoos in the world. Join us at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium and play an integral role in maintaining the infrastructure that supports our animals, staff, and visitors. This position reports directly to the Manager of Building Engineering.

Duties and Responsibilities (include but not limited to):

• Lead & Mentor Engineering Team – Provide technical leadership to engineers and technicians, ensuring proper maintenance, troubleshooting, and system optimization. Foster a collaborative and safe working environment.
• Troubleshoot & Repair Critical Systems – Perform advanced diagnostics and repairs on HVAC, pneumatic, electrical, plumbing, life safety systems, emergency power systems, and other critical systems.
• Optimize Building Systems – Focus on improving system efficiency and performance by utilizing advanced strategies such as predictive maintenance, energy optimization, and system upgrades. Analyze system data to identify inefficiencies and implement solutions.
• Manage Preventative & Reactive Maintenance – Oversee both preventive and emergency maintenance activities to ensure the zoo's systems are operating safely and without interruptions. Develop and manage maintenance schedules.
• Work with Building Management Systems (BMS) – Utilize Building Management Systems (BMS) to monitor, optimize, and troubleshoot HVAC, electrical, and other critical systems. Experience with Schneider products preferred.
• Project Management & Oversight – Lead building system projects, from installation and upgrades to retrofits. Work with vendors, contractors, and other internal departments to ensure successful project completion on time and within budget.
• Collaborate Across Departments – Work closely with other departments to ensure building systems meet operational needs, including animal care and guest services.
• Safety Compliance & Reporting – Ensure all systems and projects comply with safety regulations (OSHA, EPA) and local codes. Maintain thorough documentation of system performance, maintenance work, and compliance audits.
• Emergency Response – Be the primary responder for urgent system failures, troubleshooting and repairing under pressure to restore operations swiftly and efficiently.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• At least 5 years of hands-on experience in building systems maintenance, with a deep understanding of HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, life safety systems, and energy management.
• A Third Grade Stationary Engineer's license (or the ability to acquire one within one year) and any other relevant certifications.
• Proven ability to lead a team, with experience in mentoring and training staff. Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Advanced knowledge of complex building systems, including chillers, boilers, cooling towers, air handling units, VRF systems, HVAC systems, pumps, motors, elevators, and life safety systems.
• Experience with energy management, green building systems, and sustainability initiatives aimed at optimizing energy use and reducing the zoo's environmental footprint.
• Familiarity with BMS (Schneider preferred) including system monitoring, diagnostics, and optimization.
• Strong critical thinking skills to quickly identify and resolve complex technical issues across multiple systems.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with team members, contractors, and management.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, work in a physically demanding environment, and navigate the zoo grounds as needed.
• A valid driver's license is required for driving zoo vehicles on-site.
• Ability to work weekends and extended hours for priority/emergencies, including overtime assignments.

Candidates will be required to pass a pre-employment background check, drug test, and possess a valid drivers license with a good history.

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.