HVAC Refrigeration Mechanic

Salary: $57,532.80 - $70,491.20 Annually
Location : Austin, TX
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-10804
Department: Sheriff
Opening Date: 08/05/2026
Closing Date: 9/5/2026 11:59 PM Central


Job Summary
The HVAC Refrigeration Mechanic performs skilled HVAC work for preventive maintenance, repairs, and additions to County heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC) systems, including preventive maintenance and repairs on large chillers, heating boilers, water treatment systems and associated equipment. Serves as Technical Quality Assurance Evaluator on any contracted work on these systems. Performs all work in accordance with adopted building codes using appropriate safety procedures.

Travis County offers a premier Total Rewards Package that includes a highly rated retirement plan, vacation and sick leave, 3 personal holidays, 12 company holidays, longevity pay, tuition reimbursement, medical, dental, and vision, and a free employee health care clinic.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is a job classification within the Skilled Trades job family. This classification is distinguished by the additional experience and the ability to perform skilled HVAC work on large chiller water refrigeration systems/boilers. This classification works in secure facilities located within a correctional environment in proximity to inmates. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs routine maintenance and repair on chilled water cooling systems and hot water/steam heating systems, package units and split systems, including related equipment.
• Performs daily, weekly and monthly inspection, testing, certification, maintenance and repairs on all aspects of the heating, cooling and ventilation systems.
• Maintains equipment logs for assigned systems.
• Inspects and corrects settings for control, and safety devices associated with chillers/boilers.
• Opens and inspects chillers, condensers, cooling towers, belts, valves, back-flow preventers and motors.
• Opens, inspects and cleans boilers, operates and bleeds feed equipment to ensure proper operation, checks motors, pumps and couplings
• Checks steam lines and gas pressure to boilers.
• Monitors expiration dates for boiler certifications and schedules inspections.
• Provides technical quality assurance evaluations for contractor work on assigned systems.
• Provides on-the-job training and serves as crew leader for mechanics on chiller/boiler systems.
• Researches and estimates time and materials needed and records time and materials used. Requests for needed tools, equipment, supplies and materials to perform assigned tasks. Monitors expenditure of supplies and controls inventory of equipment and tools.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:
Associate's degree in a technical field AND five (5) years experience in chiller and boiler maintenance field, including two (2) years experience in maintenance of large chiller units;

OR,

Seven (7) years experience in chiller and boiler maintenance field, including two (2) years of documented experience in maintenance of large chiller units;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Universal CFC Certification.
Valid Texas Driver's License.
Applicants are required to attach a resume with the online application

Preferred:
Chiller Mechanic Certification by at least one major chiller manufacturer.
Three (3) to five (5) years of correctional or institutional experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• HVAC codes, related terminology, practices and procedures.
• Standard HVAC maintenance and repair methods, materials, tools and equipment.
• Chillers, hot water boiler systems and associated systems.
• Proper procedures for working with and containing refrigerants
• Preventive maintenance schedules and procedures for major chiller/heating systems.
• Remote and other DDC systems to monitor system operations. BAS
• Chilled water expansion systems.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, guidelines, rules, regulations and applicable carpentry standards and procedures.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.

Skill in:

• Operating and using standard HVAC tools and equipment.
• Installing and maintaining HVAC work.
• Reading and interpreting schematics and blueprints.
• Proper and applicable safety practices, procedures and regulations.
• Working with others, including on a team.
• Explaining complicated problems in simple non-technical language.
• Calculating estimates of time, labor and quantities of materials needed.
• Diagnose problem to repair or replace.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Understand and precisely follow both verbal and written instructions and communicate in a concise and effective manner.
• Work efficiently, both independently and as part of a team.
• Reason and make judgments and decisions.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, other County employees and officials, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information


Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending for extended periods of time, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, driving, handling, use of vision, depth perception, reaching, forceful gripping, twisting, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting, working in cramped or confined spaces or areas for extended periods of time to perform the essential functions. Subject to contact with hazardous waste, foul odors, animal and human fecal matter, insects and rodents, toxic or potential hazardous chemicals or substances, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, loud noises, and high voltage. Requires work indoors/outdoors in all types of weather (excessive heat and cold). Requires working at heights from ladders and scaffolds.
This position requires that you work within a secure jail facility. This position requires working in a correctional environment within proximity to inmates and confinement areas.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.
This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.
Work Hours: 7:00 AM-3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Will be required to work some holidays, nights, and weekends.

Location: Austin, TX

Department: Travis County Sheriff Office

Criminal Background Check, Drug Test, Alcohol Test, Credit Check, Driving Record, Education, and Employment History Check Required.

For updates or questions on this position, contact:
Benefits
Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.
FY2026 Travis County Benefit Guide

In this valuable you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.

Credit Union
Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.

Deferred Compensation
Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.

Direct Deposit
Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit.

Employee Assistance Program
Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.

Employee Organizations
Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.

Employee Health & Wellness Clinic
Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.

Holidays
An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.

Insurance
Employees may select from four plans: an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis County's current policy is to pay 100% of the employee's health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $50,000 Basic Life and AD&D paid by the County.

The following benefits are employee paid:

• Dental
• Vision
• Supplemental Life, AD&D
• Dependent Life
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Long Term Care

New employees are covered on the first day of the month following 28 calendar days of employment.

Longevity
Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification.

On the regular payday on or after the employee's fourth and subsequent adjusted service dates, he or she receives a single payment for the previous year.

Parking
A limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex.

Personal Holidays
Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins:

January - March

3 personal holidays
April - June

2 personal holidays


July - September

1 personal holiday
October - December

None

New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.
Retirement
Travis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.

Sick Leave
Regular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.

Parental Leave
Each Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a 12 month period. Paid Parental Leave for Part-time PPL Eligible Employees is prorated based on the number of hours that they are regularly scheduled to work.

Tuition Refund
Certain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily.

Vacation
Based on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time at the following rates:

0 to 5 years

4.0 hours per pay period


6 to 10 years

4.5 hours per pay period


11 to 15 years

5.0 hours per pay period


16 to 20 years

5.5 hours per pay period


21 plus years

6.0 hours per pay period

Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis.
Workers' Compensation
The county provides all employees workers' compensation coverage with benefits in accordance with state statute, if the employee sustains an injury out of, or in the course of work.
01


How many years of experience do you have with evaporative cooling towers?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to 2 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 4 years or more

02


How many years of experience do you have with electrical work?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to 2 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 4 years or more

03


How many years of experience do you have with Building Automation Systems?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to 2 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 4 years or more

04


How many years of experience do you have with HVAC?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to 2 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 4 or more years

05


How many years of experience do you have with plumbing?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to 2 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 4 or more years

06


How many years of experience do you have using computers?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to 2 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 4 years or more

07


How many years of experience do you have using a multimeter?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to 2 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 4 years or more

08


How many years of experience do you have brazing copper?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to 2 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 4 years or more

09


How many years of experience do you have with HVAC education?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to 2 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 4 years or more

10


A detailed resume is required for the application to be considered. Have you attached your resume with the online application?

• Yes
• No

Required Question