What are the responsibilities and job description for the Building Automation Specialist position at City of Boise?
Join the City of Boise team and play a key role in keeping our facilities running efficiently, safely, and intelligently. We’re looking for a skilled Building Automation Systems (BAS) professional who thrives on technology, problem-solving, and collaboration.
In this role, you’ll help monitor, maintain, and optimize critical city facility infrastructure through our Building Automation System, ensuring reliable performance across a wide range of municipal buildings and operations. This position requires experience configuring, controlling, and monitoring complex building systems, including mechanical, lighting, electrical, life safety, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical understanding of facility automation controls and the ability to troubleshoot and optimize system performance across multiple platforms and facilities.
You’ll work closely with internal teams and external partners to integrate new automation technologies, improve system functionality, support maintenance operations, and train new BAS users. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys a mix of hands-on technical work, system operations, troubleshooting, and innovation - all while making a direct impact on the community.
Required Knowledge, Experience, And Training
Applicants must be able to pass:
Disclaimer: This job posting may close earlier than the listed closing date. If this occurs, a minimum of 24 hours’ notice will be provided prior to closing.Coordinates day-to-day work, delegates tasks and sets deadlines for the assigned team. Provides guidance, direction and support for training and reviews work. Ensures effective collaboration with other teams. Listens to team members’ input and feedback and resolves any issues or conflicts.
Installs, calibrates, integrates and configures BAS field devices and components.
Configures, controls and monitors building systems, such as mechanical, lighting, electrical, life safety and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).
Administers user group accounts, permission settings and change control policies and procedures for the BAS and trains designated staff on BAS. Coordinates with IT and manufacturers on BAS software updates, patches and security for field devices.
Collaborates with city staff and vendors to implement, monitor and report on energy optimization initiatives.
Maintains connection with industry standards, best practices, new technology, developing market trends and risk advisories and provides consistent feedback to leadership for improving processes and performance.
Performs other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.Additional Required Knowledge, Experience, And Training
Knowledge of:; DDC building control systems; system operations including but not limited to; chillers, cooling towers, boilers, pumps, air handling units, hydronics, electrical, lighting, UPS, security, fire and other logically controlled systems; multiple communications protocols – example: BACnet, Modbus; and computer usage including related software - BAS Operations, Report Generation, Terminal Emulator, word process program, spreadsheet program, computerized maintenance management system.
Ability to:; troubleshoot control sequences and program devices; read and comprehend electrical, mechanical, plumbing and architectural drawings, wiring diagrams, machinery diagrams, building layouts and operations flow charts; operate basic hand tools, power tools, ladders and personal protective equipment; communicate complex technical information in terms understandable to audiences of different levels of technical expertise; respond to after-hours emergency call in to support other crafts in-person or remotely; manage multiple projects with competing priorities that sometimes include many internal and external collaborators; respond to work requests promptly and attentively within designated timelines and perform work with as little disruption to the workplace as possible; communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance; and perform all essential functions as assigned by an authorized employee, supervisor and/or manager with or without reasonable accommodation.
Individuals must be capable of operating vehicles safely and have an acceptable driving record.
Preferred Knowledge, Experience, And Training
Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or computer science and twelve years of experience as an automation controls worker for a commercial, industrial, semi-industrial, business, medical or data center facilities operation, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of: energy data analytics; infrastructure device/equipment data trending and analytical diagnostics; communications protocols; and LonWorks and/or SNMP.
Possession of a current, valid, EPA approved certification for the use, servicing, recovery and disposal of CFC containing refrigerants and equipment (EPA Section 608, Type II, III or Universal).
Building automation control certifications.
Instrumentation technician training.
The physical effort characteristics and working environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Efforts
While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently lifting/carrying up to 35 pounds, occasionally lifting/carrying up to 75 pounds and rarely lifting/carrying up to 100 pounds. Also, the employee is frequently pushing/pulling up to 35 pounds, occasionally pushing/pulling up to 50 pounds and rarely pushing/pulling up to 100 pounds. The noise level is frequently moderate, occasionally loud and rarely very loud. Work includes sensory ability to talk, hear and touch. Work in this position also includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception. Employees will sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, grasp, climb and balance. Position requires hand/finger dexterity.
Working Environment
The work environment will include inside conditions, outdoor weather conditions, extreme temperatures, in wet and humid conditions, areas of dust, odors, mist and gases or other airborne matter. Employees are exposed to mechanical and electrical hazards, work in/at heights and confined spaces. Employees will also drive a vehicle as part of this position. Work includes protected exposure to chemicals. Uneven walkways, ice and other conditions that exist while working outside and moving between locations.
This position works: rotating on call, and must report in times of emergencies.
In this role, you’ll help monitor, maintain, and optimize critical city facility infrastructure through our Building Automation System, ensuring reliable performance across a wide range of municipal buildings and operations. This position requires experience configuring, controlling, and monitoring complex building systems, including mechanical, lighting, electrical, life safety, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical understanding of facility automation controls and the ability to troubleshoot and optimize system performance across multiple platforms and facilities.
You’ll work closely with internal teams and external partners to integrate new automation technologies, improve system functionality, support maintenance operations, and train new BAS users. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys a mix of hands-on technical work, system operations, troubleshooting, and innovation - all while making a direct impact on the community.
Why the City of Boise?
The benefits are real and among the best in the Treasure Valley:
- Zero-cost premium medical coverage for you and your family
- PERSI retirement plus employer-matched 401(k)/457b
- 10 hours vacation/month (grows with tenure), 12 paid holidays, and 8 hours sick leave/month
- 10 weeks paid parental leave
- $500 annual wellbeing incentive
- Tuition reimbursement and free local bus pass
- Basic life and long-term disability insurance at no cost
Required Knowledge, Experience, And Training
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 9 years of experience in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, or as an automation controls worker for a commercial, industrial, semi-industrial, business, medical or data center facilities operation, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Valid state-issued driver's license.
Applicants must be able to pass:
- City of Boise background check processes which includes a criminal history check and reference checks in accordance with the City of Boise Hiring Process Regulation
- Driving Record Check
- Criminal Justice Information System background check (CJIS)
Disclaimer: This job posting may close earlier than the listed closing date. If this occurs, a minimum of 24 hours’ notice will be provided prior to closing.Coordinates day-to-day work, delegates tasks and sets deadlines for the assigned team. Provides guidance, direction and support for training and reviews work. Ensures effective collaboration with other teams. Listens to team members’ input and feedback and resolves any issues or conflicts.
Installs, calibrates, integrates and configures BAS field devices and components.
Configures, controls and monitors building systems, such as mechanical, lighting, electrical, life safety and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).
Administers user group accounts, permission settings and change control policies and procedures for the BAS and trains designated staff on BAS. Coordinates with IT and manufacturers on BAS software updates, patches and security for field devices.
Collaborates with city staff and vendors to implement, monitor and report on energy optimization initiatives.
Maintains connection with industry standards, best practices, new technology, developing market trends and risk advisories and provides consistent feedback to leadership for improving processes and performance.
Performs other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.Additional Required Knowledge, Experience, And Training
Knowledge of:; DDC building control systems; system operations including but not limited to; chillers, cooling towers, boilers, pumps, air handling units, hydronics, electrical, lighting, UPS, security, fire and other logically controlled systems; multiple communications protocols – example: BACnet, Modbus; and computer usage including related software - BAS Operations, Report Generation, Terminal Emulator, word process program, spreadsheet program, computerized maintenance management system.
Ability to:; troubleshoot control sequences and program devices; read and comprehend electrical, mechanical, plumbing and architectural drawings, wiring diagrams, machinery diagrams, building layouts and operations flow charts; operate basic hand tools, power tools, ladders and personal protective equipment; communicate complex technical information in terms understandable to audiences of different levels of technical expertise; respond to after-hours emergency call in to support other crafts in-person or remotely; manage multiple projects with competing priorities that sometimes include many internal and external collaborators; respond to work requests promptly and attentively within designated timelines and perform work with as little disruption to the workplace as possible; communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance; and perform all essential functions as assigned by an authorized employee, supervisor and/or manager with or without reasonable accommodation.
Individuals must be capable of operating vehicles safely and have an acceptable driving record.
Preferred Knowledge, Experience, And Training
Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or computer science and twelve years of experience as an automation controls worker for a commercial, industrial, semi-industrial, business, medical or data center facilities operation, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of: energy data analytics; infrastructure device/equipment data trending and analytical diagnostics; communications protocols; and LonWorks and/or SNMP.
Possession of a current, valid, EPA approved certification for the use, servicing, recovery and disposal of CFC containing refrigerants and equipment (EPA Section 608, Type II, III or Universal).
Building automation control certifications.
Instrumentation technician training.
The physical effort characteristics and working environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Efforts
While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently lifting/carrying up to 35 pounds, occasionally lifting/carrying up to 75 pounds and rarely lifting/carrying up to 100 pounds. Also, the employee is frequently pushing/pulling up to 35 pounds, occasionally pushing/pulling up to 50 pounds and rarely pushing/pulling up to 100 pounds. The noise level is frequently moderate, occasionally loud and rarely very loud. Work includes sensory ability to talk, hear and touch. Work in this position also includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception. Employees will sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, grasp, climb and balance. Position requires hand/finger dexterity.
Working Environment
The work environment will include inside conditions, outdoor weather conditions, extreme temperatures, in wet and humid conditions, areas of dust, odors, mist and gases or other airborne matter. Employees are exposed to mechanical and electrical hazards, work in/at heights and confined spaces. Employees will also drive a vehicle as part of this position. Work includes protected exposure to chemicals. Uneven walkways, ice and other conditions that exist while working outside and moving between locations.
This position works: rotating on call, and must report in times of emergencies.
Salary : $72,469 - $80,996