What Does a Maintenance Technician Do?
Maintenance technicians are important positions across multiple industries. They often provide repair and maintenance services to ensure organizations continue to operate at their best capacity. Understanding what a maintenance does can help you decide if this career is right for you.
In this article, we discuss what a maintenance technician does, including the job requirements, skills needed, a typical work environment, the average salary for a maintenance technician, the steps to become one and an example job description for this position
What does a maintenance technician do?
A maintenance technician keeps a building or facility safe, tidy and in working order. They use a variety of skills to keep their properties in good condition. Common responsibilities for this position include:
Communicate daily with a facility's management about issues in the building
Respond to building occupants' requests for service and maintenance
Evaluate and repair any plumbing not in good working order
Make sure that electrical systems are in safe and working condition
Stay current on safety measures for fire, carbon monoxide and other alarms
Work with and maintain tools and equipment necessary to perform work duties
Paint and fix up parts of the building or facility that may be in disrepair
Respond to emergency maintenance requests
Maintain compliance with industry regulations and standards
Maintenance technician requirements
Becoming a maintenance technician involves completing a certain level of training and certification.
Education
An entry-level maintenance technician job typically requires a high school diploma or general education diploma (GED). Those who have an Associate building maintenace Technology may have an advantage while searching for a job, while those who are interested in working for industrial facilities can pursue an Associate's in Industrial Maintenance Technology. Some industrial technology degree programs are specialized further. For example, you may pursue a specialization in refrigeration or instrumentation. You can find courses for maintenance technicians such as:
Apprenticeship programs in specific trades such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) or plumbing
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10- or 30-hour safety training
Journeyman licenses for specific trades such as electrician or plumber
Refrigeration and air conditioning technology programs
Industrial Refrigeration I and II courses
Introduction to Instrumentation and process control courses
Instrumentation and process control technology degrees
Training
Maintenance technicians can receive training while on the job by performing and perfecting their duties. They can also accumulate training in various aspects of the job, such as plumbing, painting or carpentry, by taking courses or apprenticing with someone experienced in the fiel
Certifications
Acquiring certifications can show a potential employer that a maintenance technician has proven expertise in their field. Below are some examples:
Certified Maintenance and Reliability Technician (CRMT) The CRMT
shows that the holder has experience in preventative, predictive and corrective maintenance. The CMRT requires passing an exam to show competency in four areas: maintenance practices, preventative and predictive maintenance, troubleshooting and analysis and corrective maintenance.Certificate for Apartment Maintenance Technicians
This certification is offered by the National Apartment Association. The course leading to the exam teaches a variety of skills related to maintaining apartments, including customer service, communication skills and how to process orders and details about HVAC, construction, painting, mechanical, appliance and lock and key services and repairs.
International Maintenance Institute Certification
This global organization offers three levels of certification for maintenance technicians working in skills trades. It also offers two levels of certification for those in maintenance management.
Building Systems Maintenance Certificate (SMC)
The SMC tests prospective certificate holders on their understanding of HVAC, plumbing and other building systems and efficient energy management and water treatment. This allows holders to use their skills to create better systems for HVAC and plumbing within buildings.
Skills needed to become a maintenance technician
Maintenance technicians need several developed soft and hard skills to help them excel in their careers. Here are some examples:
Mechanical skills
A maintenance technician needs expertise with a wide range of tools, equipment and systems. They're comfortable performing a wide range of complex projects, which may include fixing a building's water system.
Technical skills
Even without specializing in a trade, a maintenance technician works with plumbing, carpentry, painting and electric systems. They may develop these skills even if they have specialization in other areas.
Physical strength
A maintenance technician's job is physically demanding. They may be required to carry heavy loads, climb ladders to significant heights, squeeze through narrow spaces or adjust heavy objects.
Diagnostic skills
A maintenance technician identifies problems and develops solutions. Diagnostic skills help them test products and technology to determine what's wrong with the systems.
Time management skills
Maintenance technicians prioritize tasks and create timelines for work completion. They often combine short-term tasks with long-term projects. They organize their time while leaving enough time to accommodate regular maintenance operations.
Computer skills
There are also computer-based skills you can learn. These include:
Computer-aided design (CAD): You can use this to create and modify technical drawings and schematics using a computer.
Enterprise resource planning (ERP): This skill makes it easier to manage equipment, materials and resources across an organization.
Programmable logic controllers (PLC): This lets you program and diagnose control systems.
Microsoft Office Suite: These tools can help you write, create presentations and develop schematics more easily and are one of the more common computer-based tools that people use regardless of their industry.
- Communication skills
Maintenance technicians often need strong communication skills. Communication allows customers to feel that they're being listened to and their needs met. Maintenance technicians should be comfortable explaining the job, giving clear deadlines and explaining the next steps.
Maintenance technician work environment
Regardless of whether they work for a large office building, college dorm or small apartment complex, some aspects of a maintenance technician's work environment remain consistent. Maintenance technicians often work daytime schedules, but they may also sometimes work weekends and evenings. Those who live in the building in which they work may receive calls for service at irregular hours, including the middle of the night.
Maintenance technicians often work with potentially hazardous equipment that they thoroughly understand to secure their own safety and advise others. These programs also help them learn about new safety protocols for themselves and others. Maintenance technicians also often find themselves in other people's intimate surroundings, such as their desks and homes. They conduct themselves in an appropriate manner while maintaining their customer's privacy and their own safety. Maintenance technicians can find employment in a wide variety of places, including:
Office complexes
Shopping centers
Factories, plants and technical complexes
Schools and colleges
Scientific research facilities and laboratories
Entertainment facilities
Hospitals, clinics and large practices
Apartment complexes
Assisted living facilities
Hotels and resorts
Municipalities and government agencies
Transportation and logistics companies
How to become a maintenance technician
Here are some steps that you can follow to become a maintenance technician:
1. Pursue an education
A high school diploma or GED is a basic entry-level requirement for most maintenance technicians. Aspiring maintenance technicians can also pursue a two-year program from a community college or comparable program to receive an associate's degree in their chosen area of building man
2. Gain work experience
Much of a maintenance technician's expertise comes from daily practice. For example, apprenticing themselves to a painter, plumber, electrician or another similar tradesperson can help a new maintenance technician gain valuable experience to apply for a job.
3. Earn relevant certifications
Maintenance technicians can study for exams to receive certifications from various organizations that show their expertise and commitment to the field. Certifications are an excellent way to improve skills and knowledge.
4. Create a resume
List your education, skills and job experience, with your most relevant and recent experience mentioned first, along with the names of the organizations and the time you worked at each. An effective resume is customized to the specific job for which you're applying.
5. Engage in networking
You can also network with other employees in the industry. This includes recruiters for organizations where you want to work and other people who have been in the industry longer than you. This can help you find useful information, job openings and lessons.
6. Search for positions
Once you have found open positions that match your level of education and experience, carefully read the instructions for applying. Write a cover letter that summarizes the reasons you're a good candidate for the job.
Maintenance technician job description example
Below is an example of a maintenance technician job description:
The college is seeking a maintenance technician in the city of Chicago. As a maintenance technician, you work with a part-time groundskeeper to manage the interiors and exteriors of a campus, which includes two high-rise academic buildings, a public courtyard and a residence hall.
The ideal candidate has experience with and knowledge of plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC and basic carpentry and has excellent customer service skills. The position has a fixed schedule, but the technician is expected to remain on-call for evenings and weekends if needed. Qualifications include a high school diploma or GED and five years of experience. Preference for candidates with an associate's degree and CMRT.
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