Elevator Mechanic Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an elevator mechanic. Feel free to use our elevator mechanic job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an elevator mechanic.
Who is an Elevator Mechanic?
Elevator mechanics are responsible for the installation, repair, and maintenance of elevators, escalators, moving walkways, conveyor belts, and dumbwaiters. Additionally, he is frequently tasked with upgrading older models of these machines to make them more efficient and modern. His work can be found in a variety of structures, from single-story structures to high-rises.
If a new elevator system is being installed, an elevator mechanic will typically review the equipment’s schematics and the building’s blueprints before beginning the installation. He then attaches the rails that guide the enclosure to the shaft’s walls. He typically attaches the cables and installs the electrical components after he installs the elevator car, roof, and floor. He is generally required to thoroughly test the elevator and ensure its safe operation after the installation before it is opened to the public.
Elevators and other hydraulic equipment are typically subject to routine preventive maintenance programs regulated by local or regional public safety agencies. Certificates indicating the date of the last inspection as well as the date of the next scheduled inspection are frequently displayed prominently on the equipment. Generally, an elevator mechanic is responsible for tracking these dates and ensuring that inspections are completed on time.
Between scheduled preventive maintenance visits, an elevator mechanic is frequently expected to perform general maintenance on the machines to ensure they continue to operate smoothly and quietly. Typically, this entails lubricating and greasing the moving parts. Replacing electrical components and indicators for floor levels is a routine part of the job, as is testing the emergency stop buttons and the car’s internal communication system regularly. Significant failures frequently require the replacement or fine-tuning of buffers, counterweights, and cables. Other common components that require the attention of an elevator mechanic include brakes, bearings, and drum sheaves.
A competent elevator mechanic must have a firm grasp of electrical system integration and hydraulics. It is also necessary to be able to easily interpret diagrams and drawings. Typically, proficiency in the use of hand and power tools, as well as the reading of gauges and other measuring devices, is required. Maintaining maintenance schedules and preparing incident and repair reports to require meticulous attention to detail.
As an elevator mechanic, you can specialize in a variety of areas. There are maintenance elevator mechanics who are assigned specific routes and are responsible for performing maintenance on the elevators along that route to ensure they are operating properly. There are elevator mechanics who perform service work – the larger, more physically demanding tasks that require two men to complete. Additionally, there are elevator mechanics who modernize existing elevators or construct entirely new elevators in new buildings.
Elevator mechanics conduct routine inspections to ensure that the equipment is operating efficiently. Additionally, they address electrical issues through the use of diagnostic instruments such as voltmeters and ammeters. They are responsible for ensuring that elevator machinery complies with applicable building and equipment safety codes and regulations.
Elevator mechanics frequently replace cables, machine bearings, and elevator doors using a variety of equipment and tools. Certain elevator mechanics work on cable-driven elevators or on elevators where the car rides on a hydraulic plunger driven by a pump. Some work on escalators, repairing the motors, and electrical wiring.
They may work in teams or independently — an installation or major repair would require a team, whereas troubleshooting a minor issue would require an individual.
The standard workweek for elevator mechanics is 40 hours, with some overtime required during peak periods. If a person is employed in maintenance or repair, they may be required to be on call 24 hours a day for specified periods. Typically, the work is performed indoors and in collaboration with a team of other construction professionals. The majority of elevator mechanics work in cities with multiple-story buildings.
To qualify for this occupation, you must complete a four-year apprenticeship program that includes 144 hours of technical instruction and 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. Electrical and electronic theory, mathematics, physics, and safety will all be covered, as well as how to read blueprints.
Apprenticeships are typically sponsored by unions and contractors and are open to high school graduates and those with equivalency diplomas. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and physically capable of performing the duties of the position. You must pass math, reading, and mechanical aptitude tests before being admitted to a program. In high school, taking math, shop, and mechanical drawing classes will help you prepare.
Although certification is not required, some individuals working in this field choose to obtain it. Voluntary certification, which is offered by trade associations such as the National Association of Elevator Contractors, can help job candidates stand out to employers by demonstrating that they have met specific standards.
Elevator mechanic jobs offer numerous advantages for both your professional and personal lives.
The following are some of the advantages of becoming an elevator mechanic:
- Help the electrician to acquire practical experience
This career may be a good fit for you if you prefer jobs that require on-the-job training and allow you to develop practical skills while studying theoretical concepts. In-class training programs teach concepts that you apply during your next shift or in-person training. Additionally, by partnering with a full-time elevator mechanic, you can acquire skills that are not covered in your studies.
- Expand accessibility
By modernizing buildings and increasing the efficiency of elevators, you can also improve the buildings’ overall accessibility. Enhancing accessibility benefits individuals with physical disabilities or illnesses. This increase in accessibility is critical in government buildings, schools, and other high-traffic areas.
- A variety of employment options are available
Numerous cities and towns contain structures that require elevators. As a result, you have a variety of employment options. Before beginning your studies, identify potential employment locations to determine whether your license is valid in the province in which you wish to reside.
- Availability of union jobs
Numerous elevator mechanic jobs are represented by unions, which provide additional benefits. For instance, you can obtain compensated sick or vacation days. When looking for jobs, consider whether the company offers these benefits to assist you in deciding which positions to pursue. Due to the role’s reliance on physical ability, those in this field frequently receive health insurance benefits to promote physical health.
Elevator Mechanic Job Description
Below are the elevator mechanic job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an elevator mechanic job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of an elevator mechanic include the following:
- Conducting scheduled maintenance and inspections to ensure that equipment meets specifications.
- Maintaining records of inspections.
- Assembling elevator cars and connecting car frames
- Troubleshooting malfunctions and replacing damaged equipment
- Repairing machinery and components of elevators
- Conducting tests and adjustments on braking mechanisms to ensure they meet safety standards.
- Constructing elevators that incorporate both hydraulics and traction.
- Reading blueprints to gain a better understanding of the equipment’s construction.
- Adapting to the technology and controls unique to the equipment
- Conducting examinations, maintaining, and repairing elevators and other modes of conveyance.”
- Determining the need for major overhaul or replacement of defective equipment and performing the necessary work
- Maintaining accurate timekeeping and accounting for assigned materials and expenses
- Meeting and assisting with municipal inspections conducted by third parties
- Ensuring that elevators, mechanical walkways, and escalators are installed properly.
- Responding to mechanical and system failures.
- Maintaining and servicing machine components.
- Performing repairs or replacing system components.
- Greasing and oiling moving parts.
- Conducting safety checks.
- Keeping an eye on stock and ordering supplies.
- Keeping a clean work area.
- Examining and correcting mechanical malfunctions
- Maintaining and replacing machine components
- Conducting routine maintenance checks and lubricating machine components
- Conducting inventory reviews and placing orders for supplies as needed
- Conducting routine maintenance on elevator components such as switches, control panels, and wires
- Assuring that the work area is kept clean
- Maintaining and servicing equipment following established procedures
- Ascertaining that all switches, motors, and control signals are operational
- Conducting routine maintenance inspections on a timely basis
- Calculating the elevator’s power and load consumption
- Assisting individuals who have become trapped in an elevator
Qualifications
- A high school diploma or a GED is required.
- Mechanical certifications that are pertinent.
- Worked previously as an elevator mechanic.
- Knowledge of elevator systems, mechanical walkways, and escalators at a high level.
- Capable of reading and interpreting blueprints.
- Capacity to troubleshoot mechanical problems.
- Physically fit and capable of lifting substantial objects.
- Capable of traveling and working after hours as required.
- Capable of working independently.
Essential Skills
This profession necessitates a delicate balance of hard and soft skills. Consider the following skills before entering this profession:
- Strength and Endurance
Throughout their shifts, elevator mechanics must lift heavy materials, which requires physical strength. When entering this field, you may also want to consider your physical endurance. This is because you spend the majority of your day standing to complete your tasks.
- Mechanical aptitudes
Elevator mechanics must possess strong mechanical abilities due to their involvement with construction and electrical equipment. Possessing these abilities assists you in learning how to operate this equipment more efficiently. These abilities are typically acquired during your education or apprenticeship.
- Detail-oriented
Elevator mechanics must have a keen eye for detail to identify potential hazards. This enables you to promote passenger safety by ensuring elevators are capable of transporting passengers between multiple locations. When assembling and repairing elevators, meticulous attention to detail assists you in identifying solutions to complex problems.
- Problem Solving Skills
Both the construction of new equipment and the diagnosis of malfunctions require strong problem-solving abilities. These abilities can help ensure public safety by enabling you to resolve elevator-related issues. Certain businesses may also require your services as a consultant to assist them in resolving their elevator problems.
- Analytical skills
During your shifts, you’ll need analytical skills to read and analyze blueprints. Additionally, analytical skills enable you to interpret data for clients and employers, which aids in your decision-making and solution-finding. Additionally, you can use your analytical abilities to determine the appropriate measurements and sizes for various pieces of equipment. Additionally, different elevators require different procedures, necessitating the use of analytical skills to determine which to use.
How to Become an Elevator Mechanic
- Acquire an education
To begin, the majority of apprenticeship programs require a high school diploma or GED certificate. If you are attending a vocational school, you may wish to enroll in classes in engineering, mechanics, physics, or drafting and design. If you’re attending a traditional high school, geometry, physics, and shop classes can provide you with the necessary foundational knowledge. For instance, in physics, you learn how to calculate speed and force in relation to motion and gravity, which is necessary for designing elevator machinery.
- Complete an apprenticeship program
Elevator mechanics must complete a five-year apprenticeship program sponsored by an employer or union, such as the National Elevator Industry Educational Program. Apprenticeships are compensated programs that combine classroom instruction and on-the-job training in the specialized skills and tasks required. Apprentices work alongside journeymen or experienced elevator mechanics to learn how to read blueprints, analyze circuits and microprocessors, study safety protocols, understand electrical theory, operate common equipment and machinery, and adhere to industry standards. After completing their training, new mechanics must pass a written examination.
While some apprenticeships recommend supplementing your training with a fitness program to prepare for the job’s physical demands, this is not a requirement.
- Get certified
Apart from the apprenticeship program, you can pursue additional certifications through the National Association of Elevator Contractors, such as the Certified Accessibility and Private Residence Lift Technician (CAT) or the Certified Elevator Technician (CET) (NAEC).
States or regions may require a specific certification or license for individuals based on local laws and requirements, but companies or unions may incorporate this requirement into their contracts.
- Consider continuing your education
If you are interested in supervisory, training, or teaching positions, additional training and certifications are available. As new technology advances, you’re likely to be required to learn new software and equipment in-house or through professional development courses. Additionally, you could pursue a more specialized career in hydraulics and valve adjustment, electrical, escalators, or moving walkways.
Where to Work as an Elevator Mechanic
Elevator manufacturers, as well as elevator installation and maintenance companies, employ elevator mechanics.
Elevator Mechanic Salary Scale
Elevator Mechanics earn an average annual salary of $57,427 in the United States.