This post provides detailed information on the elevator mechanic job description, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.
It also highlights the major requirements you may be expected to fulfill to be hired for the elevator mechanic role by most employers.
What Does an Elevator Mechanic Do?
An elevator mechanic is a skilled technician that uses their electrical mechanic and engineering knowledge to install, repair, and take care of escalators, walkways, and similar equipment.
The elevator mechanic job description includes installation of new elevator systems, diagnosis of elevator problems, and conducting routine inspection and maintenance.
It also involves repairing and improving efficiency and reliability of elevators and lifts.
Other duties that elevator mechanics carry out include lubricating moving parts and replacing defective parts, ensuring building safety and operational efficiency, and consulting blueprints and instructions given by manufacturers to install new elevator systems in the approved manner.
They are also expected to diagnose problems, conduct repairs, and carry out periodic maintenance checks, which will keep elevators in good condition.
Elevator mechanics utilize various types of tools and technologies to install, maintain, and repair elevators, escalators, and related equipment.
These include AC/AD installation tools, door mechanism tools, screwdrivers and pliers, testing tools, hand and power tools, and more.
Elevator mechanics may also be asked to assemble new elevators, customize elevators to customer specifications, and advise customers on how to take proper care of their elevators.
They also play a vital role in supporting those who depend on elevators for climbing tall buildings in urban regions across the world.
Elevator mechanics’ arrangement for reporting can differ, depending on the size of the organization and whether the mechanic got their position through a job contractor.
Most elevator mechanics typically report to a supervisor within a maintenance department or directly to the building management if they work for a third-party service provider.
In larger operations, a foreman, supervisor, or administrator is responsible for overseeing the maintenance and repair team; therefore, elevator mechanics usually report to them.
Where Elevator Mechanics can Work
Elevator mechanics find their way through various companies that specialize in reconstruction and repair of existing elevator systems, elevator service and maintenance companies, construction firms, and elevator manufacturing companies.
Since formal education is not too important, a lot of employers choose to develop their interest in those who have completed specialized training in elevator mechanics.
Not all countries see the role of an elevator mechanic as being equally important.
Countries that have a high elevator mechanic population are usually those having a large number of elevator firms.
The United States and China own lots of elevators and so have a large number of elevator mechanics.
In Europe, the countries that have a large number of elevator mechanics include Spain, Italy, and Germany.
Elevator Mechanic Training and Certification
To work as an elevator mechanics, you may have to go through a specialized training in elevator mechanics.
This training can extend to certification programs and they are offered by community colleges and technical schools.
Elevator mechanics can go after different certificate programs centered on specific aspects of elevator systems, safety, and maintenance.
These programs typically include continuing education courses required for state licensing and can cover topics like hydraulic systems, safety testing, solid-state theory, and door operations.
For example, the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) is one that is highly recognized within the industry and that can be of exceptional benefit to job candidates.
For the fact that on-the-job training is quite common in this field, an elevator mechanic will be able to learn from their fellow professionals.
Elevator Mechanic Employment Requirements
Employers usually search for the services of an elevator mechanic who has a passion for elevators and their functions.
Some of the qualities employers usually look for in hiring elevator mechanics include critical thinking skills, troubleshooting skills, and familiarity with hydraulic elevators.
They also need people who have good physical fitness to work as an elevator mechanic, as the duties they usually perform requires physical energy.
Elevator mechanics may be expected to adhere to national and local laws that dictate safety standards.
For example, in the United States, the National Elevator Industry Inc., more commonly known as the NEII, sets industry standards and offers certification for elevator mechanics.
For elevator mechanics working in the United Kingdom, their accreditation comes through the Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA).
Elevator Mechanics Job Description Example/Sample/Template
The elevator mechanic job description may consist of the following duties, tasks, and responsibilities, depending on the organization they work for:
- Examine elevator systems, such as guide system, hydraulics, counterweight system, electric control systems, door mechanisms, traction control system, and more
- Comply with safety and industry standards during the installation and testing of new elevator systems
- Supervise all maintenance and repair activities for all vertical conveyance systems
- Carry out regular maintenance tasks to keep elevators functioning efficiently, such as diagnosis for wear and tear, inspection of elevator systems, and lubricating moving parts
- Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, technical manuals, and electrical charts to determine proper installation and repair techniques to apply
- Take away units that are defective and repair or replace worn parts. For example, any of the parts, including electric wiring, cables, gears, and locks may become faulty and need replacement
- Exhibit excellent customer service and communication abilities when interacting with property managers, building owners, and elevator passengers
- Answer to emergency repair calls as necessary as possible outside regular business hours
- Take part in routine troubleshooting and maintenance of elevator systems
- Complete all development work, inspection work, and safety training, and maintain equipment records, financial reports, and manuals
- During routine inspections, achieve quality control by collecting and reporting data
- Keep work environment clean and organized to adhere to safety protocols, and also conduct safety tests on elevators to make sure they meet safety codes and regulations
- Maintain detailed records of work performed on elevators, parts used and their costs.
- Make use of test equipment to locate malfunctions in switches, brakes, signal and control systems, and motors
- Test electrical, industrial, and commercial systems to ensure they are functioning properly and meet specifications
- Work in accordance with building codes in determining the need for technical work, including replacement of defective elevator equipment or overhaul
- Render assistance to experienced technicians in diagnosing and correcting electrical and mechanical faults
- Perform ongoing preventative maintenance to lengthen the equipment durability, ward accidents off, and reduce service calls.
Elevator Mechanic Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for Career Success
The elevator mechanic requires certain technical skills, industry knowledge, and a number of personal attributes to be successful on the job and career, and to qualify for hiring by most recruiters/employers, including:
- Problem-Solving Skills: The skills to identify problems and their causes and create the most appropriate solution to rectify them are required in the elevator mechanic career. Elevator mechanics need the ability to identify problems quickly, stop them from happening again, and make sure the machine functions efficiently without disturbing the client’s activities.
- Troubleshooting: This involves the elevator mechanic’s ability to identify and resolve malfunctions in the elevator system, such as electrical issues, motors, and control systems. This skill helps elevator mechanics when they come across complex issues. With troubleshooting, elevator mechanics can easily carry out some diagnosis based on the complaints to identify the specific problem.
- Customer Service: Elevator mechanics require the knowledge of principles and processes to provide excellent customer service at work. This will help them meet quality standards for services, evaluate customers’ needs, and assess customer satisfaction.
- Hydraulics: This comprisesthe ability of elevator mechanics to use pressurized fluids to work on machines. Elevator mechanics have to understand various fluids, their functions, and how to troubleshoot any problems that may later come up with them.
- Safety Consciousness: Elevator mechanics need to protect themselves and their colleagues and follow all safety guidelines and protocols, and use the required equipment when carrying out duties.
- Maintenance and Repair: Elevator mechanics need these skills to carry out routine maintenance and repairs on elevator components, such as control panels, cables, brakes, and motors.
- Mechanical Skills: If elevator mechanics can utilize mechanical skills when performing their duties, they will be able to understand how various parts of elevators and escalators work together for easy repairing when needed and how to use various tools and equipment perfectly.
- Attention to Detail: If elevator mechanics can follow instructions correctly when operating on various machines, they will demonstrate good attention to detail. To keep accurate records, read blueprints, follow safety guidelines, and carry out installations successfully, elevator mechanics need attention-to-detail skills to achieve these.
- Knowledge of electrical systems: Knowledge of basic electrical theory and the ability to read and understand electrical diagrams and schematics are essential to the elevator mechanic when troubleshooting or repairing any issues.
Elevator Mechanics Job Description for Resume
If you have worked before as an elevator mechanic or are presently working in that role and are making a resume or CV for a new job, then you can create a compelling Professional Experience for your resume by applying the sample elevator mechanic job description provided above.
You can express the duties and responsibilities you have carried out as an elevator mechanic in your resume’s Professional Experience by utilizing the ones provided in the above elevator mechanic job description example.
This will show to the recruiter/employer that you have been successful working as an elevator mechanic, which can boost your chances of getting the new job, especially if it requires someone with some elevator mechanic work experience.
Conclusion
This post has provided detailed coverage of the elevator mechanic job description, highlighting the major responsibilities and duties that they typically perform.
It also provided information on the skills, training, and employers’ requirements to be hired for the elevator mechanic role and be successful in the career.
Individuals interested in the elevator mechanic career will find this post helpful in learning about what they do.
Also, employers looking to hire competent elevator mechanics can apply the job description example and template provided above in making one for their company.
