HVAC Technician

Senior HVAC Technician Wanted!

Salary range is $40.00-$44.00 per hour, based on experience, with an excellent personal time off policy and 401(k) and Profit-Sharing!

About the Job

GFS Chemicals is seeking a Senior HVAC Technician to join our Shared Services Division at our McKinley Avenue location. The Senior HVAC Technician is the senior, hands-on HVAC/R craft resource responsible for diagnosing, repairing, maintaining, installing, commissioning, and improving industrial HVAC/R systems and related plant utilities. The role plans safe work, resolves complex equipment and control problems, coordinates contractors, verifies completed work, documents equipment condition, and mentors technicians.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform advanced corrective, preventive, predictive, and emergency maintenance on industrial HVAC/R and environmental-control systems
• Independently troubleshoot complex failures using operating history, alarms, inspections, measurements, and functional testing; identify root cause and confirm reliable operation
• Maintain and repair chillers, condensing units, rooftop and split systems, heat pumps, boilers, cooling towers, air handlers, exhaust systems, pumps, fans, coils, and related equipment
• Service refrigeration circuits, including compressors, heat exchangers, metering devices, piping, valves, filter-driers, oil-management components, and safeties
• Troubleshoot authorized HVAC electrical and control systems, including motors, starters, relays, contactors, VFDs, sensors, actuators, safeties, and low-voltage circuits
• Operate and troubleshoot building automation systems using trends, alarms, schedules, setpoints, interlocks, and sequences of operation
• Read and interpret mechanical drawings, P&IDs, equipment schedules, sequences of operation, electrical diagrams, control schematics, manuals, and specifications
• Plan complex jobs, including scope, hazards, permits, isolation, labor, tools, parts, lifting, contractor support, testing, and return-to-service criteria
• Inspect equipment condition and recommend repairs, replacements, PM changes, or reliability improvements
• Perform and verify scheduled maintenance on filters, belts, lubrication, coils, drains, electrical connections, controls, water-side components, and protective devices
• Install and repair authorized refrigerant, hydronic, steam/condensate, gas, compressed-air, and drain piping; fit, braze, support, insulate, pressure-test, and inspect the work
• Install, connect, start up, and commission HVAC/R equipment with Engineering, Operations, contractors, and manufacturers
• Use authorized electrical, refrigeration, leak-detection, airflow, pressure, temperature, humidity, and vibration test instruments
• Coordinate assigned technicians and contractors; communicate expectations, monitor safety and quality, resolve technical issues, and report status
• Inspect completed work for scope, manufacturer, site, and code compliance; restore safeties, panels, insulation, labels, and housekeeping before return to service
• Estimate labor, materials, equipment, and contractor needs; prepare parts lists and support critical-spares decisions
• Create clear work orders and job plans; document cause, condition, refrigerant movement, measurements, labor, materials, tests, and follow-up in the CMMS
• Identify repeat failures and recommend improvements to equipment, controls, PM, operating practices, spare parts, energy use, and training
• Mentor technicians in HVAC/R diagnostics, controls, refrigerant handling, brazing, planning, documentation, and safe work practices
• Support capital and energy projects with field measurements, replacement options, scope input, estimates, startup support, and punch-list review
• Follow site procedures for lockout/tagout, line opening, hot work, confined space, elevated work, roof access, and other permit-controlled tasks
• Participate in after-hours response, shutdowns, call-ins, overtime, and emergency coverage as needed

Qualifications & Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• HVAC/R apprenticeship, trade-school certificate, associate degree, or equivalent structured training and field experience required
• 8+ years of progressively responsible HVAC/R experience, including independent work on commercial or industrial equipment and controls; regulated manufacturing experience strongly preferred
• Applicable state or local trade licenses required when the work scope or jurisdiction requires them
• Demonstrated proficiency in refrigeration diagnostics, electrical troubleshooting, building automation, hydronic systems, brazing, and safe job planning required
• NATE, HVAC Excellence, manufacturer, boiler operator, OSHA, confined-space, rigging, or combustion-analysis credentials preferred
• Valid driver's license may be required based on assigned duties

• Core Skills

• Industrial HVAC/R: Advanced diagnosis, repair, maintenance, installation, and return to service of commercial or industrial HVAC/R equipment
• Refrigeration: Knowledge of heat transfer, pressure-temperature relationships, superheat, subcooling, airflow, water flow, oil return, evacuation, charging, leak detection, and recovery
• Electrical and controls: Ability to use diagrams and test instruments to isolate authorized line- and low-voltage faults and verify motors, drives, safeties, sensors, actuators, and control circuits
• Building automation: Ability to use alarms, trends, schedules, setpoints, and field-device testing to distinguish control, mechanical, and process problems
• Hydronic, steam, and air systems: Working knowledge of pumps, valves, strainers, expansion tanks, heat exchangers, coils, traps, dampers, ducts, fans, and balancing concepts
• Brazing and piping: Ability to prepare, purge, braze, support, insulate, pressure-test, and verify leak-tight piping assemblies using compatible materials
• Troubleshooting: Ability to separate symptoms from causes, test assumptions, evaluate system interactions, document conclusions, and escalate work outside personal authority
• Planning and field leadership: Ability to sequence multi-craft work, coordinate access, direct assigned work, inspect results, and manage priorities safely
• Documentation and communication: Ability to prepare clear work orders, job plans, refrigerant records, parts lists, findings, and handoffs for internal and external partners

About GFS Chemicals

GFS Chemicals is a family-owned and operated business based in Columbus, Ohio, serving customers worldwide since 1928. Each employee is entrusted with meaningful work that directly contributes to the success of our customers and the long-term strength of our organization.

As an established yet close-knit family business, GFS is built on a legacy of quality, service, integrity, and innovation in the fine and specialty chemicals market. We are committed to fostering a workplace where safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement are part of how we do business every day.

GFS offers a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support employees and their families, including competitive pay, a 401(k) with profit sharing, a Health Savings Account with a 2:1 company match, paid time off, company-paid life insurance and AD&D coverage, medical, vision, dental insurance, and additional benefits.

Our Culture & Core Values

Our Core Values guide how we operate and every employee plays a role in upholding them.

• Safety First — We are committed to the safety of our employees and our community.
• Reliable High Quality — We are dedicated to delivering exceptional quality in everything we do.
• Adaptability — We adjust to new situations and challenges with a positive mindset, demonstrating flexibility and resilience in the face of change.
• Continuous Improvement — We take initiative by seeking new and better ways of improving our processes, skills and technology.
• Trustworthy Family Business — We maintain high ethical standards and take responsibility for our actions and outcomes.
• Collaborative Engagement — We build deep relationships with customers and employees, we work together to understand and meet their specific needs, combining customer feedback and employee expertise for better outcomes.

Additional Information

GFS Chemicals will only employ individuals who are legally authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

EEO/AA/M/F/VETS/Disabled No agency inquiries, please.