Join the vibrant community at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)!

Located just three miles from the Pacific Ocean, CSULB offers an inspiring workplace and an exceptional Southern California lifestyle. Our 322-acre campus—one of the largest in the CSU system—serves more than 42,000 students and is known for its commitment to student success, innovation, and impactful academic and research initiatives.

As a member of the CSULB community, you’ll experience a dynamic environment filled with cultural landmarks, collaborative energy, and opportunities to make a meaningful difference.

Work-life balance thrives here. Long Beach blends coastal relaxation with urban vibrancy, offering miles of beaches, year-round sunshine, a thriving arts and food scene, and convenient access to both Los Angeles and Orange County. It’s an ideal place to grow your career while enjoying everything Southern California has to offer.

Join the California State University (CSU) and explore career opportunities that advance student success and strengthen California’s future—offering competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and professional growth.

Job Summary

Under the general supervision of the Associate Director of Student Housing Facilities, the Lead Building Service Engineer provides lead work direction, coordination, and technical expertise to a crew of skilled and semi-skilled employees engaged in the operation, installation, maintenance, and repair of HVAC and related mechanical systems across Student Housing and Residential Life facilities, including dining operations. The incumbent performs journey-level work while coordinating workflow, prioritizing assignments, and ensuring work is completed in accordance with established safety standards, codes, and operational requirements. Responsibilities include planning and coordinating preventive maintenance and repair activities; supporting project implementation; and ensuring building systems—including HVAC, refrigeration, boilers, and associated mechanical, electrical, and control systems—operate at optimal efficiency with minimal disruption to residents and staff. The position provides technical leadership in diagnosing and resolving complex system issues, including those involving electrical, electronic, pneumatic, and digitally controlled building automation systems. The incumbent responds to emergency service needs, ensures timely corrective action, and supports the continuous reliability of housing and dining equipment and infrastructure.

The position contributes to maintaining a safe, functional, and high-quality living and learning environment that supports Student Affairs educational mission. Service delivery is grounded in a student-centered and equity-minded approach, ensuring interactions and services provided to the campus community are inclusive, respectful, and responsive to diverse needs.

ACPA’s 2024 and 2026 Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs.

Key Responsibilities

• HVAC Systems Operations & Maintenance - Provide day-to-day lead work direction to a small crew of trades personnel, including assigning, prioritizing, and sequencing work orders and preventive maintenance activities. Coordinate workflow to ensure timely, efficient completion of work and adherence to safety standards, codes, and quality requirements.
• Project Coordination & Planning - Coordinate and support assigned maintenance and repair projects, including estimating labor, materials, and equipment needs. Prepare materials lists, procure parts and supplies, and ensure resources are available prior to project execution.
• Safety, Compliance & Training - Ensure compliance with applicable state and federal safety regulations, building codes, and campus policies. Promote and enforce safe work practices and environmental health standards.
• Records, Reporting & Systems Management - Maintain accurate work records using computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS). Track labor, materials, equipment usage, and purchasing activities.

Department

Student Housing

Time Base

1.0 time-base, 40 hours per week.

Duration of Appointment

This is a temporary position for 1 year with no permanent status granted. Temporary assignments may expire prior to the ending date.

Classification

Lead Building Service Engineer

Compensation

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources.

• Hiring Range: The hiring range for this position is $xxxx (Step #) - $xxxx (Step #) per month commensurate with candidate's education, experience, skills, and training. (Remove this if ASM does not add salary note)
• CSU Classification Salary Range: The CSU Classification Salary Range for this position is $6,705 (Step 1) - $9,768 (Step 20) per month.

Benefits

At California State University (CSU), we prioritize the health, growth, and success of our employees. Our benefits program reflects our commitment to your overall well-being.

To be eligible for full benefits, employees must be appointed at least half-time (.50 FTE) with an appointment lasting more than six months and one day. Benefits eligibility and offerings may vary based on appointment type, classification, and applicable collective bargaining agreement. Eligible employees may have access to a comprehensive benefits package that can include:

• Paid Time Off: Up to 24 vacation days per year (based on employee group and/or length of service), 14 paid holidays, and 12 sick days annually with unlimited accrual.
• Health Coverage: A variety of medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Retirement Plans: Participation in the CalPERS defined benefit plan, along with voluntary savings options such as 403(b), 401(k), and 457 plans.
• Educational Benefits: Tuition fee waiver programs for eligible employees; dependent eligibility varies by employee group and bargaining unit.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.
• Additional Benefits: Wellness programs, professional development opportunities, and insurance options including life, disability, and pet insurance.

Candidates are encouraged to review the appropriate CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details specific to their position. Additionally, the CSU Total Compensation Calculator is available to help prospective employees understand the full value of the CSU benefits package and how it complements base salary.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The ideal candidate provides effective lead direction by organizing workflow, prioritizing assignments, and ensuring accountability for the timely completion of work. They possess extensive journey-level experience in HVAC, refrigeration, boiler, and related mechanical systems, including associated electrical, electronic, pneumatic, digital, and building automation controls. With strong technical expertise, they can diagnose and resolve complex system issues, analyze system performance, and implement practical corrective actions to maintain reliable and efficient operations. They are skilled in reading and interpreting blueprints, schematics, specifications, and technical manuals; estimating labor, materials, and equipment needs; and utilizing computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) to maintain accurate records and reports. Their knowledge of installation, maintenance, repair methods, tools, equipment, building automation systems (BAS), and energy management systems enables them to optimize system performance and support a safe, functional, and energy-efficient campus environment.

In addition, the ideal candidate demonstrates strong leadership and communication skills by clearly conveying expectations, providing technical guidance, and supporting the development of staff while fostering a culture of safety and accountability. They effectively coordinate work activities, sequence projects, manage resources, and respond appropriately to emergency situations while ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local safety regulations, building codes, and environmental standards. The candidate is capable of working in physically demanding environments that require extended periods of standing, walking, sitting, lifting up to 50 pounds, operating tools and powered machinery, handling chemicals, and performing emergency or after-hours work as needed.

Ability to communicate with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community.  Ability to follow all university policies, procedures, and guidelines including but not limited to safety, civility, information security, and non-discrimination policies and procedures.  Ability to contribute to a positive university experience for each and every student and assist in achieving the university's commitment to a "vision of excellence."

Education and Experience

• Equivalent to two or more years of experience as a journey-level Building Service Engineer that included some work or project coordination responsibilities required.

• Two years’ experience in installation, adjustment, maintenance, and repair of commercial and domestic refrigeration, air conditioning systems involving modulator and safety controls, thermostats, humidifiers and duct stats, with at least one year of that experience being in the installation and repair of central multi-zone air conditioning systems preferred.

Licenses / Certificates

• Valid California driver's license required.

Employees who are required to operate motorized vehicles and/or use their personal vehicle more than once a month on University business are required to take a mandatory Defensive Driving course and enroll in the DMV Employee Pull Notice (EPN) Program.

• EPA Certificate Motor vehicles Section 609 preferred.

• Possession of EPA 608 Universal Technician Certification preferred.

• Possession of Unlimited Steam License highly preferred.

• CFC Universal Certificate preferred.

Application Procedures

Click “Apply Now” to complete the CSULB Online Employment Application.

Please fill out the application completely. It is important that all sections of the online application are completed fully and accurately. Be sure to include all relevant education and experience. Your application will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

Physical Summary

Heavy work - Job involves lifting more than 40 pounds. Approximately half of the incumbent's time will be spent walking, standing, squatting, kneeling, or climbing.

Additional Information

CSULB is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e. H-1B Visas).

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSULB will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Due to the nature of this position, current CSULB employees are subject to a criminal record check unless they have successfully completed a criminal background check through CSULB within the past 12 months.

Equal Employment Statement

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, CSULB provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or other protected status. CSULB complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

 

California State University Long Beach expects respectful, professional behavior from its employees in all situations. Acts of harassment or abusive conduct are prohibited. Demonstrated appropriate professional behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate abusive conduct is expected of all employees.

Accommodations

We provide 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 contact StaffHR-Accommodations@csulb.edu.

Out of State Employment Policy

California State University, Long Beach, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California.

As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.