HVAC Mechanic

HVAC Maintenance Specialist

Located 45 minutes from the Nation's Capital, nestled in a history-rich community of southern Maryland, The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is a two-time Aspen Award-winning institution (top 15% of Community Colleges) with academic programs in over 100 disciplines. CSM is among America's top 100 producers of Minority Associate Degrees in twenty categories, according to Diverse Issues in Higher Education. CSM offers excellent health insurance benefits; State Retirement Pension plan; wellness programs; Code Green early closure Fridays in the summer; college closure for spring break and several major holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year; and for several days in March for Spring Break. We are an innovative institution committed to student success and well known for our flexibility to meet student and community needs.

Under general supervision, the HVAC Maintenance Specialist performs skilled preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, installation, and operational support for heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, refrigeration, and related building mechanical systems throughout College of Southern Maryland facilities.

The position is responsible for maintaining reliable and efficient operation of HVAC equipment serving classrooms, laboratories, offices, common areas, specialized instructional spaces, and other college facilities. The incumbent responds to service requests and emergency HVAC issues, diagnoses equipment problems, performs repairs, and coordinates with outside contractors when specialized services are required.

The position also works with Building Automation Systems (BAS), electrical systems associated with HVAC equipment, pumps, boilers, chillers, air-handling equipment, rooftop units, fan coil units, exhaust systems, and other mechanical equipment.

Reports to: Facilities Field Superintendent

The hiring salary for this position will be from the min to mid-point of the salary range advertised. This position is open until filled.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

25% Preventive Maintenance

• Perform scheduled preventive maintenance on HVAC, mechanical, and building systems and equipment.
• Inspect, clean, lubricate, adjust, and replace components as required.
• Maintain filters, belts, bearings, motors, dampers, coils, valves, actuators, and other HVAC components.
• Perform minor repairs and adjustments to building components when within the employee's training and capabilities.
• Maintain accurate preventive maintenance records and equipment history.
• Assist in developing and improving HVAC and building preventive maintenance programs.
• Perform minor building repairs and maintenance tasks as assigned.
• Assist with basic plumbing and electrical maintenance tasks when qualified and authorized.
• Identify equipment or building problems and recommend corrective action before failure occurs.

15% HVAC Troubleshooting and Repair

• Diagnose heating, cooling, ventilation, and refrigeration system problems.
• Troubleshoot electrical and mechanical components associated with HVAC equipment.
• Repair or replace motors, belts, bearings, contactors, capacitors, sensors, thermostats, valves, actuators, pumps, and other components.
• Troubleshoot and make appropriate adjustments to air-handling units, rooftop units, fan coil units, heat pumps, boilers, chillers, exhaust systems, and associated equipment.
• Respond to emergency HVAC failures that may affect classroom operations, instructional programs, technology systems, or building occupants.
• Determine when equipment should be repaired, replaced, or referred to an outside contractor.
• Coordinate with other Facilities trades when repairs require multiple areas of expertise.
• Troubleshoot basic building maintenance issues and determine appropriate corrective action.

15% Building Automation and Controls

• Monitor and troubleshoot HVAC equipment through the Building Automation System (BAS).
• Identify abnormal operating conditions, alarms, communication issues, and control problems.
• Assist with BAS programming, graphics, points, schedules, setpoints, and control sequences as appropriate.
• Coordinate with BAS contractors and controls technicians when specialized programming or integration is required.
• Verify proper operation of HVAC equipment following controls modifications or repairs.
• Monitor building conditions through BAS and identify issues that may affect occupant comfort, energy use, or building operations.
• Adjustments to building operating schedules and temperature settings as directed.

15% Commercial Building Systems

• Operate and maintain commercial HVAC systems serving multiple college buildings.
• Work with chilled-water and hot-water systems, pumps, boilers, chillers, cooling towers, air-handling units, rooftop units, variable-air-volume systems, and other central plant equipment.
• Perform inspections of mechanical rooms, equipment spaces, and building systems and maintain a clean and orderly work environment.
• Monitor operating conditions and identify abnormal temperatures, pressures, noises, vibration, leaks, and other conditions.
• Assist with energy conservation and equipment-efficiency initiatives.
• Inspect building systems and components for maintenance deficiencies and report conditions requiring corrective action.
• Assist with basic plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and general building maintenance tasks when within the employee's training, qualifications, and authorized scope of work.
• Assist with maintaining safe, functional, and properly operating buildings and spaces.
• Assist with basic repairs to building systems when HVAC work is not required and operational needs warrant assistance.
• Inspect assigned areas and report unsafe conditions, building deficiencies, water leaks, damage, or other facility concerns.
• Prioritize work based on safety, operational impact, building use, and urgency.
• Assist with routine maintenance of building systems, including doors, locks, hardware, ceilings, walls, flooring, fixtures, and other facility components.

10% Work Orders and Customer Service

• Respond to HVAC and general building maintenance work orders and service requests in a timely manner.
• Communicate with faculty, staff, students, and Facilities personnel regarding HVAC and building maintenance issues.
• Document work performed, materials used, equipment deficiencies, building conditions, and follow-up requirements.

15% Contractor and Project Support

• Assist with HVAC construction, renovation, replacement, and capital improvement projects.
• Assist with general building maintenance and renovation projects as assigned.
• Review equipment and building installations for general compliance with project requirements.
• Coordinate access and work activities with contractors.
• Assist with startup, testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting of newly installed equipment and building systems.
• Verify that repaired or newly installed equipment and building components operate properly before returning them to service.
• Identify deficiencies in contractor work and communicate concerns to the supervisor or project manager.
• Provide technical information to supervisors for development of repair, maintenance, and replacement recommendations.

5% Emergency and Inclement Weather Response

• Assist during emergency situations such as school closings, power outages, inclement weather conditions, snow removal, flooding, water leaks, building damage, HVAC failures, and other facility emergencies.
• Respond to emergency building maintenance issues that could affect the safety or operation of college facilities.
• Assist with securing buildings, protecting equipment, and preventing additional property damage during emergencies.
• Perform other duties outside of the HVAC trade as assigned by the Facilities Field Superintendent to ensure continuity of overall Facilities operations.
• Respond to emergency HVAC or building maintenance conditions outside normal working hours when assigned.

Additional Duties:

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Facilities Field Superintendent or designee.
• Assist other Facilities trades and departments as operational needs require.
• Maintain tools, equipment, vehicles, and work areas in a safe and orderly condition.
• Support the overall mission of Facilities Management by maintaining safe, reliable, and functional college facilities.

Minimum Education and Training

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in commercial or institutional HVAC, mechanical, and building maintenance and repair.
• Completion of a recognized HVAC trade program, such as apprenticeship, or equivalent combination of education and/or mentorship.
• EPA Section 608 certification. (CFC) license.
• Valid driver's license required if operating college vehicles.

Minimum Qualifications and Standards Required

• Ability to follow college safety procedures, OSHA requirements, manufacturer's recommendations, and applicable building and mechanical codes.
• Ability to properly use personal protective equipment and tools.
• Ability to follow lockout/tagout procedures when performing maintenance and repairs