Building Engineer

The Des Moines Airport Authority is seeking a qualified Building Engineer to perform maintenance functions on various mechanical systems at the Des Moines International Airport.

Job Summary:

Under general supervision, participates in operating, maintaining, and repairing heating, lighting, ventilating, air conditioning, plumbing and other mechanical equipment. Performs heavy lifting, drives vehicles, and performs related work as required. Requires 3rd shift work.

Essential Job Functions:

• Fires, maintains and monitors boilers


• Operates and maintains building, ventilating and air conditioning systems and auxiliary equipment.


• Observes meters and gauges and adjusts and repairs equipment.


• Records data concerning operating hours, temperatures, pressure and fuel consumption and maintains operating logs and monitors and adjusts building equipment via building automation computer.


• Repairs and maintains a variety of building and equipment.


• Repairs and replaces plumbing fixtures, pumps, motors, restroom fixtures, and hot water heaters.


• Assists in making electrical repairs.


• Performs heavy lifting tasks.


• Works in confined spaces, tunnels, shafts and at heights.


• Performs preventive maintenance and repairs of jet bridge systems


• Automated conveyor belt systems maintenance and repairs.


• Removes snow from sidewalks and walkways.


• Automated Car Wash equipment maintenance and repairs.


• Overhead commercial door maintenance and repair.


• Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the firing, operation, maintenance and repair of boilers, water heaters, large ventilating and air conditioning units and auxiliary equipment.


• Knowledge of the methods, materials, and equipment used in servicing and repairing heating and cooling and auxiliary equipment.


• Skill in performing wide range of mechanical tasks.


• Ability to interpret and work from sketches, drawings, plans and blueprints.


• Ability to exercise independent judgment in determining operating conditions, making repairs and meeting emergency situations.


• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.


• Ability to detect malfunctions in equipment and troubleshoot repairs.


• Ability to keep accurate records.


• Ability to work effectively with others.


• Ability to prioritize tasks and work without supervision

• Ability to provide outstanding customer service both in person and on the telephone.


• Maintains general cleanliness of plant.


• Regulates fuel and water consumption and tests and treats water.


• Makes repairs and performs lubrication and preventative maintenance repairs/adjustment on a wide range of mechanical equipment.


• Mechanical aptitude.

Acceptable Experience, Training, and Other Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent, and 5 years of experience maintaining building facilities; or


• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work.

License or Other Requirements

• Successful post-employment offer physical and drug test;


• Successful background investigation to obtain unescorted airport identification/access privileges;


• Possession of a Low Pressure Boiler Operator Certificate issued by the Iowa Association of Building Maintenance Engineers within the first twelve months of employment. Failure to obtain such license may cause the employee to be subject to immediate termination of employment.


• Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by the State of Iowa.

Essential Physical Abilities

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate effectively;


• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to perform maintenance duties as needed;


• Sufficient manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to use a range of arm movements necessary to operate a personal computer and related equipment;


• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to have access to various work sites throughout the Airport buildings.

• Successful post-employment physical and drug test;


• Successful background investigation to obtain unescorted airport identification/access privileges;


• Possession of a valid state of Iowa vehicle operator's license.