How to Be Maintenance Generalist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

The lack of a Maintenance Generalist can lead to a number of problems for businesses and organizations. Without a Maintenance Generalist, the upkeep of facilities and equipment may be neglected, resulting in a decrease in efficiency and reliability of the systems. This can lead to more frequent repairs and replacements, resulting in higher maintenance costs.

Furthermore, the lack of preventative maintenance may also lead to more frequent breakdowns, further increasing costs. In addition, the lack of a Maintenance Generalist can cause health and safety risks due to an increase in neglected repairs and issues with equipment. As a result, having a qualified Maintenance Generalist is essential for organizations to ensure the proper upkeep of their facilities and equipment.

Steps How to Become

1. Obtain a high school diploma or GED. A high school diploma or GED is the minimum educational requirement to become a maintenance generalist.
2. Earn a degree in a related field. Most employers prefer applicants with an associate’s degree or higher in a related field such as engineering, construction management, or a related field. Earning an advanced degree can give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs.
3. Gain experience. Many employers prefer applicants with experience in the field, so it’s important to gain experience before applying for jobs. You can gain experience by volunteering at local organizations, completing internships, and taking on part-time jobs in the field.
4. Apply for jobs. Once you have the necessary education and experience, you can begin applying for jobs as a maintenance generalist. Many employers post job openings on job search websites, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest job postings.
5. Become certified. Many employers prefer applicants who are certified in the field. Certification can be obtained through professional organizations such as the Building Maintenance and Operations Association (BMOA). After completing certification, you can list your credentials on your resume and job applications to make yourself more attractive to employers.
6. Obtain a valid driver’s license. Most maintenance generalists are required to operate company vehicles and may need to travel to different locations in order to complete repair and maintenance tasks. Therefore, it’s important to obtain a valid driver’s license before applying for jobs.
7. Develop strong communication skills. Maintenance generalists must be able to communicate effectively with colleagues, customers, and vendors. Therefore, it’s important to develop strong communication skills before entering the field.

The key to being a reliable and efficient Maintenance Generalist is to ensure that you have a well-thought-out plan in place. This plan should include an assessment of the current maintenance needs of your facility, as well as a schedule of when these needs should be addressed. Additionally, it is important to ensure that all necessary tools, materials, and personnel are available when needed, and to establish an effective system of communication between the maintenance staff and other departments or personnel involved. Having a well-defined maintenance plan in place will allow for quicker and more reliable problem resolution, which will result in increased efficiency, improved customer satisfaction, and cost savings.

You may want to check Business Development Generalist, Leadership Development Generalist, and Social Media Generalist for alternative.

Job Description

1. Provide preventive maintenance and repair services for building systems, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems.
2. Coordinate repairs with outside contractors and vendors as needed.
3. Perform routine inspections of systems and components to ensure proper functioning.
4. Troubleshoot and diagnose malfunctions in building systems.
5. Repair and/or replace defective parts or components.
6. Monitor inventory of maintenance supplies and materials and order as needed.
7. Maintain records of maintenance and repair activities.
8. Respond to emergency maintenance requests as needed.
9. Operate various power and hand tools in the performance of duties.
10. Assist in the installation of new building systems and components.
11. Perform general custodial duties as needed.
12. May assist with snow removal, landscaping, and other groundskeeping tasks.
13. Comply with all safety policies, procedures and regulations.
14. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills and Competencies to Have

1. Knowledge of safety protocols and procedures
2. Knowledge of basic carpentry and repair techniques
3. Ability to troubleshoot and diagnose mechanical problems
4. Knowledge of HVAC systems, plumbing, and electrical repair
5. Knowledge of basic painting, staining, and caulking techniques
6. Ability to operate hand and power tools safely
7. Ability to read and understand technical manuals and schematics
8. Knowledge of preventative maintenance techniques
9. Ability to lift heavy objects and climb ladders safely
10. Ability to work independently and as part of a team
11. Ability to follow written and verbal instructions accurately
12. Excellent problem-solving and communication skills
13. Ability to use basic computer software for recordkeeping purposes

The ability to be a successful Maintenance Generalist is crucial in any industry and can benefit any organization. To be successful, a Maintenance Generalist must possess a number of key skills, including problem solving, multi-tasking, attention to detail, communication, organizational skills, and technical expertise. Problem-solving is important in order to identify and resolve issues quickly and effectively.

Multi-tasking is required in order to prioritize tasks and complete them efficiently. Attention to detail is key in order to ensure that all maintenance tasks are done properly and effectively. Communication skills are essential in order to work with other members of the team and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Organizational skills are necessary to keep track of tasks and ensure that they are done in a timely manner. Finally, technical expertise is important in order to understand and troubleshoot any technical issues that may arise. All of these skills are essential for a Maintenance Generalist to be successful.

Database Administration Generalist, Recruiting Generalist, and Facility Management Generalist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

• What experience do you have in maintenance and repair work?
• How do you prioritize and organize your tasks?
• What techniques do you use to troubleshoot and diagnose problems?
• Describe a time when you had to troubleshoot a complex maintenance issue.
• What safety protocols do you follow when performing maintenance tasks?
• How do you stay up to date on new technologies, processes, and tools?
• What is your experience with preventative maintenance programs?
• What have you done to reduce maintenance costs?
• How do you handle competing deadlines and conflicting priorities?
• Describe a time when you had to respond quickly to an unexpected event or issue.

Common Tools in Industry

1. Hand Tools. A variety of manual tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, and saws used to repair and maintain equipment. (eg: Installing a new door hinge with a screwdriver)
2. Power Tools. Electric- or gas-powered tools such as drills, sanders, and saws used to repair and maintain equipment. (eg: Drilling holes for mounting a shelf with an electric drill)
3. Pneumatic Tools. Tools powered by compressed air such as nail guns and spray guns used to repair and maintain equipment. (eg: Securing boards together with a nail gun)
4. Welding Equipment. Equipment used to join two pieces of metal together such as arc welders, MIG welders, and TIG welders used to repair and maintain equipment. (eg: Repairing a broken bracket with a MIG welder)
5. Automotive Tools. A variety of special tools used to service and repair automobiles such as brake bleeder kits, timing lights, and tire pressure gauges. (eg: Adjusting the timing on an engine with a timing light)
6. Diagnostic Equipment. Specialized electronic tools used to diagnose problems with vehicles, industrial machinery, and other complex systems. (eg: Checking for engine codes with a diagnostic scanner)
7. Lifting Equipment. Specialized equipment used to lift heavy objects such as jacks, cranes, and slings. (eg: Moving a large machine with a crane)

Professional Organizations to Know

1. Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE)
2. American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE)
3. International Facilities Management Association (IFMA)
4. Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)
5. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
6. American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)
7. Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC)
8. National Maintenance Agreements Policy Committee (NMAPC)
9. National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)
10. National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)

We also have Quality Assurance Generalist, Communications Generalist, and Technology Generalist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

1. Automation. The use of technology to perform tasks, such as manufacturing and production, without human intervention.
2. Facilities Management. The management of the physical environment and infrastructure, including equipment, buildings, and utilities.
3. Preventive Maintenance. Scheduled maintenance activities that are performed at regular intervals to prevent system failure and extend the life of equipment.
4. Predictive Maintenance. Maintenance activities that are based on data-driven analysis to anticipate and predict system failures and schedule maintenance activities accordingly.
5. Asset Management. The process of tracking, organizing, and maintaining records of an organization's physical assets, such as machinery and equipment.
6. Troubleshooting. The process of identifying and resolving problems with a system or process.
7. Quality Assurance. The process of verifying that products meet quality and safety standards before being released to the public.
8. Safety Management. The process of planning, organizing, and managing resources to create a safe work environment for employees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the role of a Maintenance Generalist? A1: The role of a Maintenance Generalist is to perform a variety of skilled and semi-skilled tasks related to preventive maintenance, repairs, and the installation of equipment and systems. Q2: What type of equipment do Maintenance Generalists typically work on? A2: Maintenance Generalists typically work on a variety of equipment including pumps, motors, plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC systems, and other mechanical or electrical components. Q3: What skills are necessary for a Maintenance Generalist? A3: To be successful as a Maintenance Generalist, one must possess strong technical and troubleshooting skills, as well as knowledge of safety protocols and regulations. Additionally, excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills are essential. Q4: How many years of experience are usually required for a Maintenance Generalist position? A4: Generally speaking, it is expected that a Maintenance Generalist have at least two to three years of relevant experience in the field. However, some positions may require more or less depending on the complexity of the job. Q5: What is the average salary of a Maintenance Generalist? A5: According to PayScale, the average salary for a Maintenance Generalist is $48,868 per year.

What are jobs related with Maintenance Generalist?

• Compliance Generalist
• Operations Generalist
• Public Relations Generalist
• Customer Service Generalist
• Creative Services Generalist
• Accounting Generalist
• Help Desk Generalist
• Logistics Generalist
• Tax Accounting Generalist
• Systems Administration Generalist

Web Resources

• University of Florida - Details - Maintenance Generalist II explore.jobs.ufl.edu
• University of Florida - Details - Maintenance Generalist II explore.jobs.ufl.edu
• Maintenance Generalist - Bard College at Simon's Rock simons-rock.edu