Building Controls / Safety & Security Field Specialist (User Technology Specialist) - Aviation Department

In 2025, more than 52 million passengers traveled through Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), making it one of the busiest airports in the United States and a key hub in the nation’s fifth-largest city. PHX is the largest of three airports in the Phoenix Airport System, which also includes Deer Valley and Goodyear airports, operated by the City of Phoenix Aviation Department (AVN). Together, these airports generate an annual economic impact of over $44 billion.

Are you someone who likes to tinker or loves to troubleshoot and fix problems? Have we got a position for you!

The City of Phoenix Aviation is seeking a Building Controls, Life Safety & Security Field Specialist (User Technology Specialist). This position will be assigned to 3rd shift and will then be eligible for the annual shift bid process. Technicians are responsible for maintaining the critical Fire Life Safety and Intrusion Detection systems at Sky Harbor International, Deer Valley and Phoenix Goodyear Airports. The incumbent will perform extensive field work to install, troubleshoot, repair, or calibrate environmental monitoring sensors, automated HVAC building control systems, electrical sub-meters and energy management equipment, as well as other specialized building networks/systems.

In addition, the specialist will develop, modify, and implement computer graphics, software programs and database management; install and maintain network wiring and wireless communications using copper, fiber optics, switched and microprocessor-based network controllers; evaluate systems and make recommendations for system expansion, upgrades, modification, and replacement; manage contracts; and verification of contractor or vendor work to ensure installations and system modifications meet design intent, code requirements, and Aviation Department standards.

Aviation Building Controls, Life Safety & Security Field Specialist provide 24/7 coverage with 3 shifts. This role requires strong troubleshooting skills, hands-on technical problem solving, and the ability to collaborate effectively with internal divisions and external industry partners to ensure safe, reliable, and fully functional life safety, energy, and automation systems throughout the airport campuses.

• The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys hands-on technical work, solving complex problems, and working directly with life safety, energy, and automation systems in a field environment.
• They are confident performing repairs, troubleshooting, conducting site surveys, and verifying contractor and vendor installations.
• This individual is detail-oriented, safety-minded, and comfortable working in mission-critical airport facilities where reliability is essential.
• Ideal candidates will have knowledge in several of the following areas and a willingness to learn remaining systems:
• Fire alarm and life-safety systems.
• DDC building automation controls (Alerton, Metasys).
• Intrusion detection systems.
• Networked lighting controls.
• Smart metering and energy-monitoring systems.
• Field surveys and documentation.
• Verification of contractor/vendor work.
• Mission-critical or industrial system support experience.
• Troubleshooting of low-voltage, networked, and control-based systems.
• Strong written skills for documenting surveys, inspections, testing, and system performance., * One year of experience in systems applications analysis, programming or telecommunications functions utilizing a variety of hardware and software or installation and maintenance of digital systems, radio, and electronic communications systems.
• OR One year of experience in telephone station equipment and related telecommunications distribution systems.
• OR One year of experience in avionics maintenance.
• And course work including training or experience with one or more work station computers and one or more programming languages and one or more operating systems.
• Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum qualifications may be substituted., * The following list is not all inclusive but are TSA general factors for disqualification of employment for working at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Other factors will be assessed that may also lead to disqualification. Qualified candidates should consider these factors when applying. Aviation Employment Disqualifiers.
• Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage. For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, The minimum qualifications listed above, plus:
• Two years of experience with/in:
• Working with fire alarms.
• Access control installation and programming.
• DDC controls experience (Alerton or Metasys preferred)
• Intrusion detection system installation and programming.
• Networked lighting control experience (Wattstopper, NX, Hubbell).
• Smart meter installation, programming, and monitoring (Eaton or Schneider preferred).
• Experience working in aviation environments with TSA and FAA regulations.
• Experience in the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of Variable Frequency Drives.
• Experience with interpreting wiring diagrams, control schematics, as-builts, and network topologies.
• Experience troubleshooting in mission-critical facilities such as airports, hospitals, utilities, or industrial plants.
• Experience in installation, programming, and maintenance of intrusion detection systems and components.
• Experience in the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of Networked Lighting Control Systems and components.
• Experience performing field surveys and verifying contractor/vendor work for compliance with design intent and code requirements.
• Experience with installation, programming, and maintenance of networked Access Control/Intrusion Detection systems and components.
• Experience with the installation, programming, and maintenance of networked Fire Alarm/Life Safety systems and components.
• Experience with the installation, programming, and maintenance of networked building automation control systems and components.
• Experience in the installation operation and maintenance of various environmental safety sensors.
• Experience working with control communication protocols (Lonworks, Modbus and BACNet, RS 232 & RS485) and control signal protocols (1-10vdc, 4-20 ma).
• Experience in the creation and maintenance of graphical user interfaces in special building systems. (Fire Alarm, Access Control, BAS/DDC, Lighting, etc.).
• Experience in the installation, termination, testing, and troubleshooting of copper and fiber optic network infrastructure, including patch panels, switches, and field devices.
• NICET/CSA fire alarm certification, preferred.

Pay Range: $31.68 to $49.15 per hour.

Hiring Range: $31.68 to $44.58 per hour.

Pay Range Explanation:

• Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
• Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.

Internal Only: Please understand that this is pay grade 056. If selected, your salary offer will be based on the applicable promotion or demotion worksheet in accordance with the City Pay Ordinance.

• Promotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade increase.
• Demotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade decrease.
• Lateral transfers occur when there is no change to the last two digits of the pay grade.
• When there is a change in the first digit of the pay grade, there may also be a change to your classification or unit.

Your job classification can be found in eCHRIS > Personal Details under your name, located in the top left section of the page., A comprehensive benefits package is offered which includes: Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions,

• for more details: Pension Information.
• 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions.
• Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans.
• Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan.
• Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually.
• Dental, vision, and life insurance options.
• Employer paid long-term disability.
• Free Bus/light rail pass.
• Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year.
• Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days.
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period.
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi., + This position may require moving objects weighing up to 20 pounds may be required.
• Positions in the Aviation Department work in a 24-hour per day, 7-day per week operation. Employees are required to work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Vacation and shift assignments are determined by seniority.
• All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.