Iowa State University
Position Title:Area Mechanic
Job Group:Merit
Required Minimum Qualifications:• Must possess a basic knowledge of plumbing, electricity, maintenance of steam and mechanical equipment. • Must have four years of work experience in the listed crafts, including apprenticeship or technical training.
Preferred Qualifications:• Knowledge of structural trades (carpentry, roofing, interior finishing)
• Electrical, plumbing and HVAC maintenance experience
• Experience troubleshooting a variety of building equipment and systems issues
• Computer experience
• Experience with maintaining operating inventory of necessary spare repair parts, filters, belts and other supplies
• Experience training shop apprentices, replacements, and other personnel
Job Description:
Under general supervision, has initial responsibility for operation of all buildings and equipment in assigned area and performing skilled tasks in the inspection, maintenance and repair of mechanical systems, facility maintenance, and operation.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT: Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M) is an organization that is dedicated to the maintenance and enhancement of Iowa State University, one of the nation’s leading educational and agricultural institutes. But more importantly, FP&M is dedicated to their employees and enhancing the lives of each team member through opportunities both professionally and personally. FP&M is one of the largest departments on campus and currently employs over 450 full-time employees and students combined.
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities
• Applies all necessary safety precautions in working with electrical, steam, or mechanical equipment.
• Performs inspections of electrical, mechanical, steam and plumbing equipment in assigned areas on a periodic basis in order to determine the degree of operating efficiency and to locate and alleviate potential malfunctions.
• Troubleshoots and repairs malfunctions on electrical equipment, appliances, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, heating, air conditioning and ventilating equipment controls in assigned area.
• Performs and reports on specific written preventive maintenance procedures (such as lubrication, cleaning, changing filters, making adjustments, and replacing parts) on electrical, mechanical, plumbing and steam equipment in assigned area.
• Checks accomplishment of shop work orders and returns them to the appropriate office after work is completed.
• Inspects and reports building problems involving carpentry, painting, roof, masonry, and plastering in assigned area in order to determine corrective methods.
• Establishes and maintains effective communications with personnel located in assigned area and within his/her own and other shops relative to building maintenance and occupant comfort.
• Maintains operating inventory of necessary spare repair parts, filters, belts and other supplies.
• Trains shop apprentices, replacements, and other personnel.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Knowledge of preventive maintenance necessary for equipment and ability to maintain appropriate records.
• Knowledge of the carpentry, painting, roofing, masonry and plastering trades sufficient to inspect buildings to provide corrective solutions and make recommendations to correct existing problems.
• Knowledge of proper lifting and bend techniques and ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Ability to operate tools and equipment safely which are used in the electrical, mechanical, steam, and plumbing trades.
• Ability to interpret blueprints, diagrams, equipment specifications, schematics and engineering/architectural concept statements.
• Ability to work in a variety of environments including confined spaces, low light areas, at height and exposure to temperature extremes, radiation and toxic chemicals.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and inventory of supplies.
• Ability to troubleshoot electrical, plumbing, HVAC equipment and control malfunctions.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
Appointment Type:Regular
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:5141a
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover LetterIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)• Life insurance and long-term disability• Flexible Spending Accounts• Various voluntary benefits and discounts• Employee Assistance Program• Wellbeing program
Original Posting Date: August 4, 2025
Posting Close Date:August 17, 2025
Job Requisition Number:R17507
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
Job Group:Merit
Required Minimum Qualifications:• Must possess a basic knowledge of plumbing, electricity, maintenance of steam and mechanical equipment. • Must have four years of work experience in the listed crafts, including apprenticeship or technical training.
Preferred Qualifications:• Knowledge of structural trades (carpentry, roofing, interior finishing)
• Electrical, plumbing and HVAC maintenance experience
• Experience troubleshooting a variety of building equipment and systems issues
• Computer experience
• Experience with maintaining operating inventory of necessary spare repair parts, filters, belts and other supplies
• Experience training shop apprentices, replacements, and other personnel
Job Description:
Under general supervision, has initial responsibility for operation of all buildings and equipment in assigned area and performing skilled tasks in the inspection, maintenance and repair of mechanical systems, facility maintenance, and operation.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT: Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M) is an organization that is dedicated to the maintenance and enhancement of Iowa State University, one of the nation’s leading educational and agricultural institutes. But more importantly, FP&M is dedicated to their employees and enhancing the lives of each team member through opportunities both professionally and personally. FP&M is one of the largest departments on campus and currently employs over 450 full-time employees and students combined.
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities
• Applies all necessary safety precautions in working with electrical, steam, or mechanical equipment.
• Performs inspections of electrical, mechanical, steam and plumbing equipment in assigned areas on a periodic basis in order to determine the degree of operating efficiency and to locate and alleviate potential malfunctions.
• Troubleshoots and repairs malfunctions on electrical equipment, appliances, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, heating, air conditioning and ventilating equipment controls in assigned area.
• Performs and reports on specific written preventive maintenance procedures (such as lubrication, cleaning, changing filters, making adjustments, and replacing parts) on electrical, mechanical, plumbing and steam equipment in assigned area.
• Checks accomplishment of shop work orders and returns them to the appropriate office after work is completed.
• Inspects and reports building problems involving carpentry, painting, roof, masonry, and plastering in assigned area in order to determine corrective methods.
• Establishes and maintains effective communications with personnel located in assigned area and within his/her own and other shops relative to building maintenance and occupant comfort.
• Maintains operating inventory of necessary spare repair parts, filters, belts and other supplies.
• Trains shop apprentices, replacements, and other personnel.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Knowledge of preventive maintenance necessary for equipment and ability to maintain appropriate records.
• Knowledge of the carpentry, painting, roofing, masonry and plastering trades sufficient to inspect buildings to provide corrective solutions and make recommendations to correct existing problems.
• Knowledge of proper lifting and bend techniques and ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Ability to operate tools and equipment safely which are used in the electrical, mechanical, steam, and plumbing trades.
• Ability to interpret blueprints, diagrams, equipment specifications, schematics and engineering/architectural concept statements.
• Ability to work in a variety of environments including confined spaces, low light areas, at height and exposure to temperature extremes, radiation and toxic chemicals.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and inventory of supplies.
• Ability to troubleshoot electrical, plumbing, HVAC equipment and control malfunctions.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
Appointment Type:Regular
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:5141a
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover LetterIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)• Life insurance and long-term disability• Flexible Spending Accounts• Various voluntary benefits and discounts• Employee Assistance Program• Wellbeing program
Original Posting Date: August 4, 2025
Posting Close Date:August 17, 2025
Job Requisition Number:R17507
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.