HVAC Mechanic I

HVAC Mechanic I

Hourly Rate: $30-$35

Hours: 7:00a.m.-3:30p.m. (Monday-Friday to also include some weekends and holidays) This position will start Mid-May 2026 and end in Mid-August 2026.

Position Reports to: Director of Facilities Management

Basic Function

Makes complex problem diagnoses and performs repairs and maintenance services, or installs, a variety of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, heating, or energy generation equipment, independently handles complex problems requiring advanced training and extensive experience. Uses sophisticated diagnostic methods and innovative repair techniques.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for scheduling and performing a wide variety of duties required to install, maintain and repair heating, ventilating, air conditioning, ice storage system, refrigeration equipment and controls throughout the University.
• Works from preventive maintenance and repair requests, schematics (pneumatic and electrical), blueprints and verbal or written instructions to troubleshoot, inspect and repair equipment and systems.
• Conducts preventive and corrective maintenance actions on heating, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigeration and control systems throughout the University in codes and regulatory agencies.
• Instructs other maintenance department personnel in the proper operating procedures and safety precautions for working with HVAC equipment.
• Communicates orally and in writing with staff and others.
• Conducts inspections of systems and equipment as frequency determines. Uses manufacturer's recommendations when inspection, lubricating, testing, calibrating and repairing equipment.
• Maintains logs relevant to each system or equipment; preventive maintenance performed and repairs.
• Makes recommendations for the improvement or repairs to systems and equipment. Ability to diagnose and take corrective actions to maintain electrical and mechanical systems, boilers, pumps, fans, compressors, filters, and refrigeration systems.
• Knowledge of various mechanical systems and control operations including Johnson Controls Metasys, including heating and ventilating, pumps and compressor, refrigeration equipment, ice storage system, steam equipment, chemical treatment systems, controls electrical and pneumatic, fire pump, lab hood, etc.
• Must understand the principles and requirements of controlling temperature, humidity and air cleaning.
• Installs cooling coils, tubing, expansion valves, controls, motors, compressors, air filters, and dehydrators; use leak detectors; evacuate, purge and charge systems using correct kind and amount of oil and refrigerant.
• Replaces seals, valves, valve plates, coils, gaskets and belts
• Installs, maintains and repairs controls such as thermostats, humidistats, pressure stats, hot water and changeover valves.
• Maintains correct pressures and temperatures; oil grease, and replace motors, fan bearings and other frictional wearing surfaces. Clean and apply preservatives on evaporative condensers and other equipment. Remove moisture and non-condensable gases from refrigerant systems. Cleans tube bundles.
• Checks electrical circuits for continuity and replace fuses; replace, maintain and repair electrical controls.
• Must be able to do soft soldering, silver soldering, and brazing as required in the trade, using oxyacetylene equipment.
• Understand how to safely handle, store and work with refrigerant and other gases.
• Must have a good working knowledge of system balancing, refrigeration cycles, operating characteristics of refrigerants and general principles and theory of pressure, vacuum, humidity, vaporization, condensation, heat conduction and convection as applied to air, gases and liquid.
• Knowledgeable of and properly handles environmental items i.e. asbestos, CFC, PCB, lead, etc.
• Maintain equipment and work area in a clean and orderly condition. Remove all surplus material at the completion of each job.
• To recommend spare parts, maintain inventory and obtain parts and equipment through proper procedures i.e., fill out purchase requests and get supervisory approval.
• Perform such similar, comparable, or related duties as may be required or assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge: High school or trade school diploma required. Technical training/Certification in Control Systems (pneumatic and DDC), Technical training/Certification in Refrigeration and HVAC systems. Years of experience can be substituted for certification if proficiency and knowledge of systems can be demonstrated. Thorough knowledge of the principles of air conditioning and refrigeration; of the practices and techniques used in the installation, repair and maintenance of HVAC equipment and systems; of refrigerant types, environmental impact, and gas reclamation procedures and equipment. Minimum 6 years working in an industrial or commercial setting as an HVAC or refrigeration specialist. General knowledge of OSHA regulations and safe practices. Working knowledge of plumbing and electrical trades as it pertains to HVAC systems. Skill in the installation, repair and maintenance of commercial or industrial HVAC equipment and systems. CFC License-minimum Class 2 required; Universal preferred. Valid Maryland driver's license required.

Experience: Four years progressively responsible experience in any combination of air conditioning, refrigeration, temperature control, hot water distribution or heating trades at a similar institution or work place

Skills/Aptitude: Numerical ability, spatial ability, form perception, motor coordination, finger dexterity, manual dexterity, color discrimination.

Working Conditions

Lifts, carries, pushes a variety of tools, materials and equipment (up to 50 pounds). Climbs, balances stoops kneels and crouches in performing work. Works inside and outside. Extensive walking throughout campus on a daily basis. Quick and positive reaction in emergency situations. Occasional extended work periods. Exposed to wet and cold conditions; noise vibration from operating equipment. Possible exposure to toxic refrigerants and chemicals. Good distant vision in one eye and ability to read without strain printed material the size of typewritten characters are required-glasses permitted. Ability to hear the conversational voice, with or without a hearing aid is required. Ability to speak and be understood under circumstances.

Work Schedule: 7:00 AM 3:30 PM Monday Friday. Schedule may include evenings and weekends on an as needed, on call basis. This position is designated as essential personnel. This position has been identified as having a potential risk for occupational exposure to potentially infectious material; as such, this position is required to be offered the Hepatitis B Vaccine at no cost to the employee, and annual training on Preventing Exposure to Bloodbourne Pathogens must be completed