Lead HVAC Mechanic

Lead HVAC Mechanic

Valiant is looking for a Lead HVAC Mechanic to join our team! The Lead HVAC Mechanic primarily performs and oversees hands-on preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and servicing of healthcare facility Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR) systems, including associated pneumatic and mechanical components. Operates, monitors, and performs routine adjustments on the Building Automation Systems (BAS) / Direct Digital Controls (DDC) to ensure proper environmental conditions and efficient operation of HVACR equipment. As a working lead, this role supports energy management initiatives and assists with training staff on HVACR system operation. Ensures all work prioritizes patient and staff safety and meets regulatory requirements.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities:

• Oversee, lead, mentor, and train employees to complete assigned HVAC tasks within established guidelines, safety protocols, and timeframes.
• Schedule work, delegate tasks effectively, and manage team resources and manpower levels to accomplish the workload per the schedule.
• Inspect work performed by the HVAC team for quality, accuracy, and compliance with applicable codes and standards.
• Serve as a primary technical resource for the HVAC team, providing expert guidance on complex electrical issues, code interpretation, and troubleshooting techniques.
• Foster a strong safety culture within the team, championing adherence to all safety procedures.
• Provide the technical breakdown for all HVAC in-house Service Orders, including detailed estimates for materials and labor to support SO package development.
• Assist supervisor/manager with performance feedback for team members and identify training needs.
• May be required to review/audit unscheduled Work Orders and scheduled Preventative Maintenance documentation to ensure accuracy prior to submission for DMLSS entry.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all maintenance trades during assigned shift, ensuring effective coordination of multi-trade activities and communication across departments.
• Assign and close out scheduled and unscheduled work requests.
• Lead shift operations by managing 24/7 365 shift coverage
• Identify failures and accurately determine time and materials required for boiler repairs to support service order estimate generation.
• Maintain a high degree of housekeeping.
• Perform preventative maintenance, diagnostics, repair, and operation of all facility HVACR systems, including air handling units (especially those serving critical areas like ORs, Isolation Rooms, Labs), VAV boxes, fan coil units, exhaust fans (general, lab, isolation), chillers, cooling towers, pumps, boilers (for heating), humidifiers, and associated mechanical/pneumatic controls.
• Perform repair and maintenance of Critical/Bio refrigerated systems (e.g., laboratory, pharmacy, blood bank, morgue refrigerators/freezers), ensuring temperature integrity and proper operation.
• Utilize DDC/BAS: monitor equipment status, respond to alarms, analyze trends for temperature, humidity, and pressure differentials in critical patient care areas, and make necessary operational adjustments to maintain required environmental conditions.
• Troubleshoot HVACR mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic system failures; identify root causes and perform corrective repairs. Perform basic troubleshooting of DDC field devices (sensors, actuators, thermostats) directly linked to HVAC equipment.
• Perform required filter changes, coil cleaning, belt adjustments, lubrication, and other PM tasks according to schedule, documenting work in the CMMS.
• Ensure all HVACR work meets relevant healthcare codes and standards, including ASHRAE 170 (Ventilation of Health Care Facilities), TJC requirements, NFPA, and other state/local regulations.
• Assist managers by implementing operational adjustments via the BAS and identifying mechanical system issues impacting energy efficiency.
• Perform a variety of duties related to trouble call, corrective maintenance, preventative maintenance within the assigned timeframe.
• Maintain awareness of central plant operations (boiler, chiller, generator status) as they impact HVACR systems.
• Adhere strictly to hospital Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) protocols and safety procedures (LOTO, refrigerant handling) during all maintenance and repair activities.
• Coordinate HVACR maintenance and shutdowns with facilities management and clinical department leaders to minimize disruption and ensure safety.
• Maintain the general cleanliness and appearance of assigned spaces and the workshop, assist the maintenance team, as required, and perform other duties as assigned.
• Participate in on-call rotation for HVACR/Critical System emergencies as required.
• Maintain required licenses and certifications listed in job description.
• Assist the maintenance team with related tasks as required and perform other duties appropriate to the role as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education And Certification Requirements:

• NATE HVACR Certification (or equivalent accredited certification) OR Completion of an accredited HVACR Apprenticeship program OR Documented Military Journeyman level or higher for HVACR trade.
• EPA Universal Refrigerant Certification (Section 608).
• Valid driver's license

Preferred Education And Certification Requirements:

• A.S. degree in Mechanical Electrical Technology (MET), HVACR Technology, or related field.
• ASSE 6040 Certification (Medical Gas Systems)- American Society of Sanitary Engineers
• BAS training/certification
• Knowledge of NFPA, NEC, TJC, OSHA, ADA, Local, State and Federal Codes

Required Qualifications:

• 3+ years' experience in a healthcare or similar regulated industrial setting with primary assignment to operate, repair, and maintain commercial/industrial HVACR systems.
• Principles of refrigeration cycles, heating systems, air conditioning, ventilation.
• Installation, maintenance, and repair techniques for commercial/industrial HVACR equipment, including chillers, boilers, air handlers, VAV systems, pumps, motors, and associated controls (electrical, mechanical, pneumatic).
• Safe refrigerant handling practices (EPA Section 608), recovery, and record keeping.
• Basic electrical principles and control wiring related to HVACR equipment.
• Relevant codes and standards: ASHRAE 170, TJC Environment of Care standards related to ventilation, NFPA 90A, EPA regulations, OSHA safety rules (including LOTO, confined space, fall protection).
• Hospital infection control procedures (ICRA).
• Safely perform tasks listed in Responsibilities and Duties section.
• Diagnose and repair complex mechanical and refrigeration system failures.
• Proficiently braze, solder, and work with refrigeration piping.
• Read and interpret operations manuals, blueprints, schematics (mechanical, electrical, pneumatic), and control diagrams.
• Use specialized tools and test equipment (refrigerant gauges, leak detectors, combustion analyzers, airflow measurement tools, multimeters, manometers).
• Perform minor fabrication/installation related to HVAC equipment mounting or ductwork modifications.
• Coordinate and work with other staff members (including controls technicians, electricians, plumbers, and clinical staff) to achieve project deadlines.
• Communicate verbally and in writing.
• Use computers for checking email, data entry on Computer Maintenance Management Software (CMMS), and training.
• Identify and resolve failures/alarms related to critical building equipment.
• Accurately determine time and materials required for a job.
• Experience working with BAS/DDC systems for operational monitoring and adjustments is preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Work is performed indoors and outdoors in extreme heat and a full range of climatic weather conditions. Involves working in mechanical rooms, patient care areas, interstitial spaces, confined spaces, and on rooftops.
• Required to wear uncomfortable protective clothing and equipment when working with hazardous chemicals, refrigerants, and conditions. Adherence to hospital PPE and ICRA requirements.
• Subjected to hazardous gases, high pressure gases, hot liquids, dirt, dust, and oil/grease.
• Requires physical dexterity, standing, stooping, climbing, kneeling, crawling, and lifting heavy objects to perform duties.
• Must be physically able to work on ladders, scaffolds, platforms, roofs and in cramped equipment rooms and other confined spaces.
• Excessive temperatures ranging from 10F to 120 F
• Possible exposure to hazardous materials, requiring use of respirators and personal protective safety attire and equipment.
• May require entering confined spaces such as ductwork, pits, and crawl spaces.
• Lifting and carrying varies dependent on location of equipment up to 30-40ft height.
• Ability to