HVAC Refrigeration Mechanic

Tacoma Public Schools

Expected Start Date: September 21, 2026, or sooner

FTE: 1.0

Hours per day: 8.0

Salary Level: MW/14A, $65.46 (2025-2026 wages). Hourly wage is based off of the greater of 65% of the State of Washington's Prevailing Wage Rates for Pierce County for each craft's applicable prevailing wage or prior year wage x IPD plus 1%.

Benefits Eligible: This job has the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools

Examples Of Duties

This position performs duties related to the repair, maintenance, operation, and/or installation of mechanical refrigeration/air conditioning, heating equipment, and related systems.

Essential Job Functions

• Installs, repairs, services, and maintains pneumatic control systems for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, including calibration of related instruments, gages, and controls.
• Installs, repairs, services, and maintains air compressors, air dryers, cooling towers humidification, and de-humidification equipment, etc.
• Installs, operates, services, maintains, and repairs conventional mechanical refrigeration/air conditioning equipment including but not limited to general purpose air conditioning units, heat pumps, water coolers, standard refrigerators, commercial grade refrigerators, milk coolers, ice machines, walk-in freezers, etc.
• Installs, repairs, services, and maintains heating plant equipment such as pumps, compressors, reducing stations, hydronic piping, valves, filters, heat exchangers, chillers; installs, repairs, services, and maintains oil and gas burners, packaged boilers, and other auxiliary heating specialties; conducts firing efficiency checks and ensures proper operations.
• Performs work on the electrical components of HVAC/refrigeration within the specifications of HVAC/refrigeration limited energy technician (06A) certificate, which includes connecting motors, compressors, temperature control panels, and control panels to power source; replaces defective breaker controls, thermostats, switches, and electrical wiring to repair installed units.
• Performs preventative maintenance on mechanical equipment such as lubrication of compressors and other moving parts, filter servicing, adjusting and renewing belts, cleaning traps and strainers, repacking and reseating valves, repacking pump seals and greasing machinery; inspects machinery in operation to ensure machinery is functioning properly, including checking pressures and temperatures; assists in setting up preventative maintenance schedules and data cards.
• Performs necessary testing, installation, and maintenance required for the safe handling of refrigerants as needed in systems; repairs leaks and re-tests, drains, and installs systems by means of refrigerant recovery and reclaim units; complies with all public agency requirements on documentation, handling, and storage, as specified by holders of CFC handlers certificate.
• Performs related duties as assigned, on a temporary basis.
• Regular, reliable, predictable attendance or physical presence is an essential job requirement and critical to the performance of the work.
• Conditions: May be required to make emergency repairs at hours other than normally scheduled; exposure to high voltage electrical systems; exposure to loud noises and machinery with moving parts; may work outdoors in inclement weather and at heights; may work in confined areas; travel to district sites required; may be required to lift and carry up to 20 pounds or more (note KSA below), bend, squat, stoop, kneel, crouch, walk, twist, climb, and/or be mobile.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

Three years' work experience with refrigeration/HVAC systems and two years related training at a technical trade school; or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work.

Licenses/Special Requirements

Current CFC/EPA approved refrigerant handling license.

Minimum of current Washington State HVAC/R Electrician Certificate 06A, or until March 1, 2002, may possess a 3rd year trainee certificate.

Valid Washington State driver's license.

Fingerprints and successful WSP and FBI background clearance/sexual misconduct clearance.

Allowable Substitution

Completion of an approved apprenticeship within the refrigeration/HVAC industry may substitute for the above requirement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of the hazards of refrigeration/HVAC work.

Knowledge of boiler codes and safe practices.

Knowledge and thorough understanding of pressure temperature relationships.

Knowledge of and ability to handle the necessary refrigerants.

Knowledge of and ability to use the tools and materials of the industry.

Knowledge and theories of HVAC/refrigeration and related systems.

Knowledge of electrical principles and standard practices.

Ability to read and interpret blueprints, control schematics, and engineering reports.

Ability to lift 50 pounds using proper safety precautions.

Ability to work from ladders in elevated positions.

Ability to bend, squat, stoop, climb, and reach.

Ability to demonstrate reasonable, reliable, and regular attendance.

Ability to quickly diagnose and make repairs.

Ability to respond quickly and calmly in emergencies.

Ability to work as a team member.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multi-cultural, diverse socio-economic setting.

Nondiscrimination Statement

Tacoma Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Civil Rights Coordinator, Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator, and Title IX Coordinator: Tiffany Davis-Brantley

View phone number on click.appcast.io, View email address on click.appcast.io

Section 504 Coordinator: Laura Tuman

View phone number on click.appcast.io, View email address on click.appcast.io

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1357 Tacoma, WA 98401-1357