SCHOOL NUTRITION TECHNICIAN LEAD-EQUIPMENT MECHANIC

School Nutrition Technician Lead-Equipment Mechanic

Serve as the lead technician for the School Nutrition Department with primary responsibility for the inspection, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and reliable operation of walk-in coolers, walk-in freezers, and related refrigeration systems at all district campuses and School Nutrition facilities. Provide technical leadership and support for the maintenance and repair of commercial kitchen equipment to ensure School Nutrition operations remain safe, efficient, and uninterrupted.

Education/Certification:

• Current HVAC certification required.
• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Refrigeration/HVAC training and demonstrated knowledge of commercial refrigeration systems.
• 1-2 years of experience troubleshooting and repairing HVAC, refrigeration, electrical, and/or electronic control systems.
• 1-2 years of experience installing and servicing commercial food service equipment preferred.
• Valid and current Texas Driver's License Class C
• Ability to obtain a forklift certification.
• Working towards Texas Association of School Nutrition Level V Certification.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• Serve as the primary School Nutrition technician responsible for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers at all district campuses and facilities.
• Inspect, diagnose, troubleshoot, maintain, and coordinate repairs of walk-in cooler and freezer systems to ensure safe and reliable operation.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive preventative maintenance program for district walk-in refrigeration equipment, including routine inspections and documentation of equipment condition.
• Respond promptly to refrigeration failures and temperature-related emergencies to minimize food loss and disruption to meal service.
• Monitor recurring refrigeration issues and recommend repair, replacement, or equipment improvement when appropriate.
• Maintain accurate service records for walk-in coolers, freezers, refrigeration systems, and other assigned equipment.
• Ensure refrigeration and HVAC-related work is performed safely and in accordance with applicable requirements and manufacturer specifications.
• Supervise, instruct, and train other School Nutrition equipment technicians, including providing technical guidance on refrigeration and equipment repairs.
• Assist with troubleshooting, preventative maintenance, repair, and installation of commercial kitchen equipment as needed.
• Install, maintain, and monitor new equipment projects.
• Manage and coordinate the preventative maintenance schedule for School Nutrition kitchen equipment.
• Conduct a bi-annual inventory of kitchen equipment.
• Maintain maintenance records and prepare reports regarding equipment condition, repairs, preventative maintenance, and completed work.
• Maintain appropriate parts, tools, and materials in the warehouse and assigned service vehicle necessary to support refrigeration and kitchen equipment repairs.
• Maintain an inventory of critical refrigeration parts and supplies to minimize equipment downtime.
• Coordinate with the district Maintenance Department and outside service providers when repairs require additional support or specialized services.
• Prioritize and complete work requests based on operational urgency, food safety risk, equipment condition, and impact on meal service.
• Participate in on-call response for emergency School Nutrition refrigeration, kitchen, and equipment needs.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with School Nutrition staff, district departments, vendors, and service providers.
• Work independently and collaboratively while managing multiple campuses, projects, work orders, and deadlines.
• Demonstrate safe work practices and respond appropriately to emergency situations.
• Maintain technical knowledge and skills necessary to work with changing refrigeration, HVAC, electrical, electronic control, and commercial kitchen equipment technologies.
• Maintain high standards of personal hygiene, appearance, and grooming.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor

Working Conditions:

Mental Conditions/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors: Maintain emotional control under stress. Frequent standing, walking, pushing, and pulling; moderate lifting and carrying; some stooping, bending, and kneeling; frequent exposure to extreme hot and cold temperatures. Must be able to lift 25-50 pounds without restriction. The School Nutrition Warehouse is a cold storage facility with temperatures ranging from -19 to 70 degrees.

Ector County Independent School District