Electrical Controls Technician - Facilities Services - UTK
University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department
Other Engineering, Operations
Knoxville, TN, USA
Posted on Nov 7, 2025
The Utility Automation & Fire Group within Facilities Services manages campus control systems, including electrical and electronic equipment. Their responsibilities include installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, calibration, and performance testing of electrical and electronic equipment. They support routine inspections, develop preventive maintenance procedures, manage scheduling, and complete reports. They oversee, install and maintain life safety systems such as fire alarms, suppression systems, traffic signals, generators, utility meters, clocks, PA systems, scoreboards, and gate controls. During special events, they manually operate and monitor critical systems. All work complies with NFPA, IMSA, MUTCD regulations, and Facilities Services' SOPs. A strong emphasis is placed on providing exceptional customer service to both internal and external stakeholders.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.
The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.
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The Utility Automation & Fire Group within Facilities Services manages campus control systems, including electrical and electronic equipment. Their responsibilities include installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, calibration, and performance testing of electrical and electronic equipment. They support routine inspections, develop preventive maintenance procedures, manage scheduling, and complete reports. They oversee, install and maintain life safety systems such as fire alarms, suppression systems, traffic signals, generators, utility meters, clocks, PA systems, scoreboards, and gate controls. During special events, they manually operate and monitor critical systems. All work complies with NFPA, IMSA, MUTCD regulations, and Facilities Services' SOPs. A strong emphasis is placed on providing exceptional customer service to both internal and external stakeholders.
Required Qualifications
- Education:
- Vocational or technical training in Industrial Electrical, Security Systems, Control Systems, and/or Electronic Systems.
- Experience:
- Understanding of the standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA),
- International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) Level I certification,
- Understanding of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
- Understanding of regulatory compliance, traffic control standards.
- Familiarity with these Fire codes and regulations.
- Five (5) years’ experience in electrical and/or electronics, fire alarms or signalization
- Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Proficiency in diagnosing complex electrical and electronic equipment, along with the ability to lead and guide others in the proper installation, servicing, and troubleshooting of system components.
- Specialized training in control systems and/or building automation systems.
- Ability to accurately interpret construction drawings, electrical schematics, and system blueprints.
- Ability to identify necessary materials, estimating labor and resource requirements, and the ability to execute projects efficiently, safely, and within established timelines.
- Advanced knowledge of electrical theory and traffic control principles, as well as the ability to interpret detailed blueprints, schematics, and wiring diagrams.
- Other Conditions: Valid Driver’s license
Work Location
- University of Tennessee – Knoxville, TN Campus
- This is an on-site position
Compensation and Benefits
- UT market range: MR09
- Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
- Find more information on UT Benefits here
About The Department
UT Facilities Services is responsible for the care and keeping of more than 300 facilities and utilities systems in and around Knoxville. As the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s largest non-academic department, team members are responsible for facilities maintenance and repair, custodial needs, landscaping and lawncare, utility work, in-house and capital construction projects, facilities planning and design, environmental initiatives, pest control, campus event services, and facilities administration functions for both the flagship campus and the agricultural institute. The Facilities Services staff provides around-the-clock coverage to ensure students, staff, faculty, and fans have a consistent and positive experience every time they step foot on Rocky Top.
- Perform comprehensive evaluations of fire alarm systems to verify full compliance with local, state, and federal fire safety regulations. This involves functional testing of all alarm components, including initiating devices, notification appliances, control panels, and communication pathways.
- Identify and document any deficiencies, malfunctions, code violations, or potential safety hazards.
- Findings are to be thoroughly analyzed and repaired and detailed reports are generated and presented to the Foreman to support timely resolution and continuous system reliability.
- All inspections and assessments are conducted in strict alignment with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and standards, ensuring the highest level of fire safety and regulatory adherence.
- Installation, maintenance, and repair of complex traffic signal systems to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient traffic flow throughout the campus and surrounding roadways.
- Responsibilities include thorough inspection, diagnostic testing, troubleshooting, and precise adjustment of traffic control devices, signal cabinets, electrical wiring, sensors, and associated infrastructure.
- Utilizes specialized tools and diagnostic equipment to perform both reactive and preventive maintenance, including real-time response to system failures or emergencies that impact public safety.
- Ensures all systems are installed and maintained in strict adherence to regulatory standards set forth by the International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), upholding legal compliance and supporting optimal operational performance at all times.
- Evaluate, maintain, repair, upgrade, and integrate critical infrastructure systems including generators, utility meters, clocks and bells, public address systems, scoreboards, and gate access controls in accordance with university standards and regulatory requirements.
- Perform thorough diagnostics, conducting functional testing, and verifying performance to identify operational deficiencies, safety risks, or compliance issues.
- Must assist in developing and implementing strategies to integrate these systems with the Building Automation System (BAS). The goal is to ensure continuous reliability, enhance system efficiency, and maintain full compliance with relevant codes and institutional policies.
- Respond promptly to system alarms and a wide range of emergency situations, assessing conditions in real time and taking immediate corrective action to protect life safety, property, and critical infrastructure.
- Coordinate the procurement and delivery of tools, equipment, and materials necessary for timely maintenance and repair operations.
- Provide technical support and on-site system oversight during special events on campus, ensuring reliable operation of essential systems such as life safety, security, and communications throughout the duration of each event.
- Assist Electricians during power outages. Assist BAS Technicians pulling wire and installing equipment, VFD's and controllers. Layout of traffic signage and construction work zones per MUTCD.