Whitman College

WHITMAN COLLEGE

Located in the historic community of Walla Walla, Whitman’s vibrant and beautiful tree-lined campus is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, welcoming and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving approximately 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and a fiercely loyal and growing number of engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. 

Whitman College is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college’s working and learning environment. Whitman College is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO).

POSITION PURPOSE

The Appliance and Maintenance Technician is responsible for maintaining and repairing appliances and small equipment owned by Whitman College used in program areas such as Food Service, Resident Halls, Custodial, and Academic Buildings as well as performing all general maintenance tasks and assisting other trade technicians as needed. This job requires good judgment, an eye for detail, and a desire to achieve perfection for maximum energy efficiency and maximize the life of equipment. Emphasis is placed on preventive maintenance to prevent major failures and nuisance problems when equipment is needed most. The person in this position will be assigned maintenance duties in support of other Facilities Services departments and other projects as needed. This technician consults with the Maintenance Manager on all matters involving the operation and maintenance of related equipment and work scheduling.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Repair and maintain appliances and small equipment (e.g. washers, dryers, vacuums, steamers, ovens, grills, freezers, ice machines, slicers, etc.).
• Respond to appliance complaints, report damages and repairs.
• Maintain and organize a reasonable parts inventory.
• Keep an accurate inventory of appliances in service, including equipment history with accurate age, repairs, and location of appliances.
• Operate maintenance vehicles and equipment in a safe manner.
• Organize daily work schedule and consult with the Maintenance Supervisor to prioritize projects.
• Assist with other maintenance projects and maintenance personnel as needed.
• Coordinate kitchen exhaust duct and grease trap cleaning, and dryer vent cleaning.
• Utilize Facility Services work order system and computers (e.g. email, creating reports, etc.).
• Work within the safety regulations for federal, state, and Whitman College. 
• Actively participate in the Accident Prevention Program, including attending safety programs. Observe safety precautions and procedures at all times, being alert for unsafe conditions and reporting them to the supervisor.
• Respond to campus emergencies for repair work as needed. 
• Complete other duties as assigned (e.g. vacancy coverage, inclement weather, moving, furniture set-up, other trade responsibilities, etc.).
• Serve as essential personnel, which means duties are essential to the operations of the College and require that the Technician report to campus for work even during full or partial closures, emergencies, inclement weather, etc.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Must be able to explain and/or demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. Specifically,

• Work closely and collaboratively with faculty, students, and staff.
• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing with the ability to maintain proper records.
• Interpret service manuals, schematics drawings and use a multi-meter correctly.
• Use basic plumbing skills and tools including sewer machines, soldering, gas piping, etc. 
• Operate a forklift, mechanical and electrical equipment, including power tools, saws, hammers, etc.
• Move heavy appliances with the assistance of mechanical devices. 
• Read and understand specifications, electrical diagrams and blueprints.
• Maintain, repair and install electric motors, electrical equipment and instruments such as small appliances, custodial equipment, and pumps.
• Climb up and down ladders and work on an extension ladder at heights above 20 feet.
• Work in confined spaces, close quarters or a kneeling position for extended periods.
• Ability to be on-call and work after hours or on weekends as necessary. Ability to be on-call at least four weekends annually.
• Organize a daily work schedule and use a computerized work-order system. 
• Use computers for email, creating reports, working on spreadsheets, etc.
• Positively and actively contribute to the College’s core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism and accessibility.
• Reliable and capable of working independently on the assigned shift.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license with three years of driving experience, and the ability to pass a motor vehicle report. 
• Demonstrated firm mechanical and electrical background with four years related work experience on appliances and small equipment.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical and background check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Applicable trade school training and certification (e.g. Electrical, Plumbing, etc.).
• Past experience in standard electrical HVAC and maintenance practices and procedures in an organization with extended hours of operation and multiple high-traffic areas such as higher education, K-12 schools, or healthcare.

Please note that while the description details both required and preferred qualifications, we want applicants to be aware that they do not need to have all of the preferred qualifications to be considered for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work environment is primarily inside Whitman facilities and sometimes outside, both of which may include working in high places. The Technician may be exposed to dirt, dust and equipment solutions. Work may require periodic use of personal protective equipment (e.g. respirators, arc fault, etc.). Physical skill and sustained physical effort may be required for some of the maintenance responsibilities. Requires moderate strength and agility and typically requires balancing, bending, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping and repetitive motions. Lifting and carrying materials weighing up to 50 pounds occurs with varied frequency.

BENEFITS

Whitman College offers a competitive benefits program that is designed to attract qualified candidates and retain talented employees. Full-time employees enjoy the following benefits:

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances.

Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability insurances with the capability to elect additional voluntary coverage.

403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a 10% matching contribution after eligibility requirements are met.

Paid Time Off: 10 accrued vacation days, 12 accrued sick days, 13 paid holidays.

Tuition Remission – Dependent Children

Employee tuition waiver for one Whitman course per semester.

Employee Assistance Program

Learn more about benefits eligibility here. 

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR JOB CANDIDATES

Contact Human Resources regarding requests for disability accommodation in the employment application process.

APPLICATION REVIEW

Application review will begin April 29, 2024 and continue until the position is filled.

START DATE

June 2024