What Does a Building Technician Do?

A building technician is a person who is responsible for the maintenance of various systems within a building or set of buildings. The primary responsibilities of a building technician can vary depending on the type of building as well as the included systems, hardware, and features, though generally the tech will repair, maintain, and install any equipment necessary for the normal function of the building and its inhabitants. Very often, the tech will work with a team of other technicians, especially if the building is exceptionally large or complex.

Commercial buildings or residential buildings may require the services of a building technician. Components such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units, often known as HVAC, will need installation, repair, and regular maintenance from the building technician. Plumbing systems may also require the attention of the building tech, so this person will need skills in various areas of repair or even construction. Most technicians who work in this capacity have some experience in plumbing, electrical, carpentry, HVAC, and other building skills.

No specific level of education is necessary in order to become a building technician, though most employers do prefer candidates with at least a high school education. If a candidate does not have a high school education, employers generally prefer candidates who have had some significant experience with one or more areas of repair or maintenance. College degrees are usually not necessary for the position, though college level training courses that deal specifically with HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or related fields can be a great way to boost one's credentials for the position.

Sometimes a building technician will be responsible for maintaining or otherwise altering the grounds of a property. Landscaping duties such as lawn mowing, planting, seeding, plowing snow, shoveling walkways, and maintaining any other green spaces may fall to the building technician if dedicated groundskeepers are not hired to take care of these tasks. The building tech will likely need to operate heavy machinery or other tools, which means some safety training may be necessary in order to qualify for the position. The tech may also have to adhere to specific safety procedures outlined by regional governments or by private property owners; he or she will need to be familiar with guidelines presented by governing bodies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States or similar governing bodies in other parts of the world.