Chief Building Engineer

Overview

Avanath is proud to be named one of the top property management companies that provide affordable housing for the workforce.

Cultivating the American Dream is the purpose that binds the team. At Avanath, every day is an opportunity to make a difference in someone's life. Whether helping residents call one of our communities’ homes, providing excellence in customer service, or championing our workforce, we are committed to creating an unforgettable experience as a great place to live, work, and be. 

 The Role

The Chief Building Engineer is responsible for the property's operational integrity and safety. Combining hands-on technical expertise with supervisory skills, the Chief Building Engineer leads all maintenance operations, oversees capital improvements, and ensures the daily upkeep of building systems to maintain property value and safety. This includes collaborating with the Community Manager and staff to maintain high standards of building operation and resident satisfaction.  

The incumbent in this role must possess a high degree of professionalism and positive engagement for our residents and the workforce.

Qualifications

• A Minimum of 5 years in Residential Property Maintenance is required.
• A minimum of 3 years in a supervisory role is highly desired.
• DC. Third Class Engineers License is required. Candidates without this license will not be considered.
• Additional Requirements: CFC Universal, low- and high-pressure boiler license.
• A High School Diploma or equipment is required.
• Vocational/technical training in maintenance, mechanical, and/or electrical fields is preferred.
• Proficient in Building Maintenance Systems (BMS), project management, and basic IT repairs.
• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• You must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must be willing to participate in and support on-call emergency services.
• Yardi Voyager Proficiency is highly desired.

Position Requirements

• Building & Maintenance Management
  • Oversee operations and maintenance of all mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems.
  • Ensure efficient and safe operation of building systems including low-pressure steam heating, fire alarms, and security systems.
  • Develop and implement preventive maintenance programs for all systems, maintaining necessary logs, and performing daily inspections and requirements as mandated by local regulations.
  • Manage and perform maintenance tasks through the electronic portal (Yardi Voyager) for tracking work orders, internal repairs, and unit turnover processes.
  • Maintain and update logs of the condition of all physical assets throughout the building and grounds.
• Leadership & Supervision
  • Direct supervision of the maintenance team, including scheduling, performance reviews, training, disciplinary actions, and ensuring adherence to safety protocols.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for all maintenance-related projects, coordinating with external contractors and consultants.
  • Manage inventory of maintenance supplies, tools, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure availability for all operations.
• Resident Relations & Customer Service
  • Address resident complaints and service requests with urgency and sensitivity, fostering a positive community image and ensuring consistent, high-quality customer service.
  • Project & Financial Oversight
  • Collaborate with the Community Manager on budget preparation and expense management.
  • Provide recommendations on repairs, and replacements, and oversee capital improvement projects.
  • Report on monthly ongoing projects and maintain active communication with Management regarding all building-related issues.
• Regulatory Compliance & Safety
  • Maintain compliance with property management regulations, safety guidelines, and legal requirements.
  • Conduct safety inspections, participate in safety meetings, and ensure that all staff follow established safety procedures and guidelines.
• Emergency Management
  • Remain accessible via mobile phone after hours to manage emergencies such as sewer backups, water flooding, or other hazards.
  • Ensure the safe disposal of bulk trash and maintain cleanliness in mechanical and electrical equipment spaces.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• The incumbent in this is classified as essential staff and is expected to report to work and adhere to all safety and business protocols.
• Frequent need to sit, stand, walk, and lift objects (up to 50 pounds regularly, more as needed). Full body motion, manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination are required.
• Exposed to varied environmental conditions including outdoor weather, mechanical parts, and hazardous chemicals.
• May work in an elevated site, may walk on uneven ground.
• Occasional squatting, bending neck/waist, twisting neck/waist, pushing, and pulling.
• Reading, comprehending, writing, performing calculations, and communicating verbally.

How Avanath Supports You

We know that our teams are at the heart of our success and growth, and we are committed to showing our appreciation.

We offer:

• Culture Built on Purpose and Core Values - A Commitment to Integrity, A Spirit of Caring, and A Focus on Continuous Improvement.
• Comprehensive Benefits – health, dental & vision, 401(k), personal time off, paid holidays and more!
• Growth is based on achievement and an emphasis on promoting from within our ranks versus just external candidates.
• Development – a commitment to creating opportunities to learn and expand your knowledge in the industry from online training platforms to training classes to one-on-one coaching.

Diversity & Inclusion

 Capital is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Our human capital is the most valuable asset we have. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) are at the very core of our operating and investment philosophy. We believe that bringing together people with diverse thoughts, backgrounds, talents, and experiences at all levels of our organization, including the executive team, enables us to proactively and creatively achieve our mission to enable opportunities for hard-working American families. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities, and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of our culture, our reputation, and our achievements.

We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

Our organization’s diversity initiatives include—but are not limited to—our practices and policies on recruitment and selection; compensation and benefits; professional development and training; promotions; transfers; and the ongoing development of a work environment built on the premise of gender and diversity equity that encourages and enforces:

• Respectful communication and cooperation between all employees.
• Teamwork and employee participation, permitting the representation of all groups and employee perspectives.
• Work/life balance through flexible work schedules to accommodate employees’ varying needs.
• Employer and employee contributions to the communities we serve to promote a greater understanding and respect for diversity.