What a building maintenance technician does
Building maintenance technicians keep a property's systems and spaces in working order. They handle preventive maintenance on HVAC equipment, pumps, boilers and lighting, carry out general repairs to plumbing fixtures, doors, drywall and flooring, respond to work orders, prepare suites for new tenants and coordinate with outside contractors. In larger buildings they work from a computerized maintenance system and track equipment schedules. Their attention to small issues keeps repair costs and emergency calls down.
The skill range in this role is wide, so matching the hire to your building matters. Finch asks which systems candidates have maintained and what certificates they hold, such as a 313A refrigeration and air conditioning certificate, a TSSA gas technician certificate or a 309A electrician certificate. Regulated work must be done by properly certified people, and we help you set realistic requirements. You meet a shortlist of qualified technicians who fit your property.
Typical responsibilities
- Carry out preventive maintenance on HVAC, plumbing, electrical and life safety equipment
- Respond to work orders and tenant or occupant repair requests
- Complete general repairs, painting, drywall and fixture replacement
- Prepare vacant suites or spaces for new occupants
- Coordinate and supervise outside contractors
- Record work in a maintenance system and track equipment schedules
Qualifications and credentials
- Experience in building, facility or property maintenance
- Skilled Trades Ontario certificates for regulated work where needed, such as 313A, 309A or 306A
- A TSSA gas technician certificate, such as G2, where the role includes servicing gas appliances
- Working knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, electrical and building automation systems
- WHMIS training for the chemicals, refrigerants and cleaners used in building upkeep
- A college diploma in building systems or a related field is an asset
Who hires a building maintenance technician
- Residential property management companies
- Condominium corporations
- Commercial office and industrial landlords
- Schools, healthcare facilities and institutions
- Retail centres and mixed-use properties
Where we recruit building maintenance technician candidates
We fill building maintenance technician roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Building systems and equipment the candidate has maintained
- Trade and TSSA certificates, confirmed with the candidate
- Problem-solving on common repairs, discussed through real examples
- Customer service with tenants and occupants
- On-call availability and references from previous property employers
Interview questions to ask
- Walk me through your preventive maintenance routine for a rooftop unit or boiler.
- A tenant reports no heat on a cold night. How do you troubleshoot it?
- Which repairs do you handle yourself, and which do you call a licensed trade for?