HVAC MECHANIC II

Job Description

Human Resources announces an opening for a 1.0 FTE position as HVAC Mechanic II with the Facilities and Operations Division, School Support. This is a twelve-month, , Grade M-15 position.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

The HVAC Mechanic II is responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment throughout Arlington Public Schools (APS) facilities by completing full-performance, journey-level installation, operation, adjustment, maintenance, and repair tasks. The employee troubleshoots components and subsystems, performs routine and moderately complex maintenance, and applies standard trade practices to resolve equipment issues accurately and efficiently. The mechanic uses diagnostic tools, interprets basic schematics, and carries out repairs in accordance with industry standards. The position also supports senior-level technicians by assisting with more advanced repairs and diagnostics on commercial, industrial, and residential HVAC systems, while performing digital controls programming, BAS/EMS reprogramming, complex refrigeration repairs, and/or system-wide performance analyses. The incumbent ensures the consistent delivery of comfortable, safe, and properly conditioned learning and working environments across APS buildings. Accurate performance of duties helps maintain system reliability, reduce equipment downtime, extend asset life, and ensure compliance with safety and environmental requirements. The incumbent supports school staff, students, and facility operations by maintaining stable building conditions and promptly addressing HVAC-related concerns, while establishing uninterrupted instruction, operational continuity, and effective facility management.

SUPERVISION

The HVAC Mechanic II reports to the HVAC Maintenance Supervisor or Assistant Supervisor, receiving assignments through work orders, schedules, and service calls that typically specify the objectives, priorities, and deadlines of the task. Once assignments are received, the employee is responsible for planning and carrying out recurring and routine journey-level HVAC tasks independently, applying established trade practices and accepted procedures to diagnose and resolve component-level issues. The incumbent exercises keen judgment to determine when unfamiliar, atypical, or system-level conditions that require referral to the HVAC Mechanic III or the supervisor. As a level II professional, the employee may provide basic guidance to temporary workers or HVAC Mechanic I personnel in the course of daily work. Review of work is generally limited to periodic checks for technical adequacy, completion of assignments, compliance with procedures, and overall customer satisfaction, reflecting both the employee's independence in performing standard work and the requirement to seek supervisory direction when assignments exceed journey-level responsibility.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The HVAC Mechanic II is a journey-level classification in the HVAC series, where assignments involve a full range of standard HVAC tasks that require the employee to apply established trade methods, interpret straightforward technical information, and resolve routine or moderately complex equipment issues in conditions that are typically clear-cut and familiar. In carrying out these assignments, the HVAC Mechanic II considers known procedures, manufacturer guidance, and standard diagnostic steps to determine what must be done, exercising judgment to identify component-level problems while referring atypical, unclear, or system-wide issues to the HVAC Mechanic III or supervisor.


The work requires analyzing equipment symptoms and choosing the most appropriate course of action from established options, while progressively building the skill to recognize when issues exceed standard practice and must be elevated because they involve developing new techniques, interpreting incomplete or conflicting building-wide data, or making decisions that require advanced diagnostic reasoning. Tasks that involve higher skill or more variable conditions are performed only under direction or by HVAC Mechanic III personnel. Although the employee may support senior technicians on complex assignments, the HVAC Mechanic II does not function as a technical expert or project lead, and the nature of the work provides limited opportunities for deviation from established practices or the creation of new methods.

GUIDELINES

The HVAC Mechanic II performs work using a wide range of guidelines, including Federal, State, and County regulations governing HVAC work such as environmental protections, workplace safety requirements, building code provisions, APS policies and procedures, manufacturer specifications, preventive maintenance schedules, and standard HVAC industry practices. These guidelines provide clear and generally applicable direction for most journey-level tasks, and the employee is responsible for selecting the appropriate reference and applying it correctly to routine and moderately complex assignments. The work is performed within well-established parameters and the employee must exercise judgment in determining when a guideline does not fully address the situation or when conditions fall outside typical component-level troubleshooting. In such cases, particularly when advanced diagnostics, system-level analysis, or control-related decisions may be required, the HVAC Mechanic II seeks guidance from the supervisor or HVAC Mechanic III rather than altering or creating new procedures independently.

CONTACTS

The HVAC Mechanic II has regular contact with coworkers in Maintenance Services, school-based staff such as principals and building managers, vendors, contractors, and occasionally County inspectors. These contacts typically occur under routine circumstances and involve exchanging information about work status, clarifying HVAC issues, coordinating access to equipment or spaces, and providing customer service related to comfort concerns or maintenance activities. While most interactions are straightforward and based on established roles, the mechanic must at times explain technical findings to individuals who may be unfamiliar with HVAC operations, respond to staff who may be frustrated by equipment outages, or coordinate with contractors whose schedules or priorities differ from those of APS. The nature of these contacts requires the employee to communicate clearly, use tact and professionalism, and adapt explanations to the audience in order to resolve problems effectively and maintain positive working relationships.


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Installs, maintains, and repairs HVAC equipment such as air handlers, unit ventilators, pumps, motors, fans, valves, pneumatic/analog controls, terminal units, and HVAC accessories.

Troubleshoots components and subsystems to identify faults such as failed motors, faulty switches, clogged coils, failed belts, and refrigerant leaks.

Performs routine preventive maintenance including filter changes, lubrication, coil cleaning, belt replacement, tightening electrical connections, and condensate system cleaning.

Assists HVAC Mechanic III staff with maintenance and repair of chillers, boilers, cooling towers, and large commercial systems by gathering readings, preparing tools, and carrying out directed tasks, and identifies when conditions require system-wide diagnostics.

Performs routine hydronic maintenance, including bleeding air, replacing gaskets, checking valve operation, and assisting with basic hydronic balancing procedures.

Recovers refrigerant, repairs minor leaks, evacuates equipment, and recharges units in accordance with EPA requirements, maintaining required documentation.

Performs brazing and soldering on piping for routine repairs and reports control failures or unusual operating trends to the HVAC Mechanic III or supervisor.

Uses the BAS/EMS interface at the operator level to start and stop equipment, view point status, acknowledge alarms, and make basic comfort adjustments within established limits.

Reads and interprets basic schematics, wiring diagrams, and manufacturer manuals, and uses test instruments such as multimeters, ammeters, airflow meters, and manifold gauges.

Cuts, threads, and installs piping; installs ductwork and diffusers; and assembles mounting hardware and structural supports.

Investigates heating or cooling complaints by checking room conditions, taking equipment readings, verifying component operation, and reporting issues that exceed journey-level scope.

Communicates with school-based staff in a courteous, responsive, and customer-service-oriented manner.

Completes scheduled preventive maintenance tasks following APS procedures and manufacturer recommendations.

Identifies worn or failing components and reports them for corrective work orders, providing observations to support HVAC Mechanic III recommendations for system optimization or preventive maintenance improvements.

Completes work orders accurately, documenting labor, parts used, refrigerant recovery/charging, and system conditions.

Maintains stock, requests needed materials, and performs basic shop-keeping duties and vehicle inspections.

Handles refrigerants, chemicals, and fuel products safely and follows all applicable safety procedures, including PPE requirements, lockout/tagout, and confined-space protocols.

Ensures work sites are safe, clean, and properly restored after tasks, and may provide informal guidance to lower-level personnel.

Performs other duties as assigned, consistent with the scope and purpose of the position.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of HVAC theories, principles, standard practices, and the operating characteristics of commercial and residential equipment at the journey level.

• Knowledge of basic pneumatic and analog (non-DDC) control systems, EPA and OSHA/VOSHA requirements, APS safety procedures, and basic BAS/EMS operator functions.

• Skill in using trade tools, troubleshooting components and subsystems, and performing standard to moderately complex repairs.

• Skill in recovering, evacuating, and charging refrigerant systems in compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Skill in reading and interpreting basic schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical manuals.

• Skill in using CMMS software to document work, track materials, and close out work orders.

• Ability to work independently on routine and moderately complex tasks, recognize when issues require escalation to the HVAC Mechanic III, and communicate clearly with customers and coworkers.

• Ability to work safely in mechanical rooms, rooftops, confined spaces, and other environments, and to learn new equipment and technologies as introduced.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Education: High school diploma or GED required.


Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in commercial, industrial, and residential HVAC-R systems is required. A minimum of one (1) year as a journey-level HVAC mechanic, with commercial/industrial refrigeration experience required.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION

CFC-Universal certification or EPA Section 608 Universal Certificationis required.


A Journey License in HVAC or Certification in BAS/EMS platforms or advanced HVAC technologies (preferred; examples: NIACC, Tridium/Niagara) is preferred.

A State driver's license is required.

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES

Work requires moderate to heavy physical effort, including standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, and positioning oneself to access and service equipment in tight or awkward spaces. The employee frequently uses stairs, ladders, extension ladders, scaffolding, and lifts, and must lift, push, pull, or carry objects up to 50 pounds independently and 100 pounds or more with assistance or mechanical support.


The work involves exposure to weather extremes, loud equipment, energized systems, chemicals, refrigerants, and other occupational hazards, requiring the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to all safety protocols. The employee must visually and audibly assess equipment conditions using instruments, gauges, digital readouts, and sensory cues such as vibration, temperature, odor, or coloration to identify system issues. Work may occur in mechanical rooms, rooftops, confined spaces, or other challenging environments. The role requires regular use of schematics, technical manuals, mobile devices, radios, and communication tools, as well as operating a vehicle under varying traffic and weather conditions. The employee may be required to respond to urgent HVAC issues or system failures during the school day, after hours, or during adverse conditions to maintain building operations, protect equipment, and support a safe and comfortable learning environment.

HAZARDS/UNUSUAL DEMANDS

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors and may involve exposure to extreme temperatures, including manufactured heat and cold, as well as adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, and ice. The employee may encounter high noise levels from mechanical equipment such as boilers, chillers, compressors, and generators, and may work on surfaces that are dirty, greasy, or uneven. The position involves routine exposure to sharp tools, energized electrical equipment, hot piping, caustic chemicals, high-pressure systems, and moving mechanical components, creating risks such as cuts, electrical shock, burns, falls, or injury from equipment failure. Work at heights, on slippery surfaces, or in confined spaces may be required, using appropriate safety equipment and following established procedures. The employee must wear necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) including eye and hearing protection, insulated and chemical-resistant gloves, safety shoes, hard hats, and other protective gear as conditions require. Driving between sites is a regular part of the job and includes risks associated with heavy traffic and inclement weather. The role may involve urgent response to system failures or environmental-control issues, requiring the mechanic to work under pressure to restore HVAC service quickly in order to maintain safe and comfortable school operations and protect building assets.

CODE: 0081
GRADE: M-15
FLSA: NON-EXEMPT
UNION: AEA

Arlington Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of the Arlington School Board, as stated in ASD 35-3.03, that employment opportunities shall not be restricted, abridged or otherwise adversely affected on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, or disability.