Commercial HVAC Service Manager / Lead Technician

Job Description

Job Description

HVAC Service Manager / Lead Technician — Huntsville, AL Samples Properties | Commercial Real Estate & Property Management

Samples Properties is hiring a licensed commercial HVAC professional to lead our in-house HVAC service operation across a large commercial portfolio in the Greater Huntsville area. This is a stable, well-supported role with a long-tenured firm — not a dispatch seat at a service company.

Why This Role Is Different

• Stable, predictable workload. A large portfolio of commercial buildings under long-term management means consistent service work — no chasing one-off residential calls or feast-or-famine cycles.
• You're the expert, not a number on a dispatch board. You'll lead the HVAC operation and work directly with our Facility Manager — not get added to the bottom of a rotating on-call list.
• Backed by a full operations team. You focus on HVAC; we handle admin, scheduling, tenant coordination, and vendor billing.
• Real input on how the department runs. Equipment preferences, vendor relationships, preventive maintenance programs — you'll have a seat at the table.
• Clear growth path. As our HVAC division grows, this role grows with it — into a Department Lead or Service Manager position with hiring input.

What You'll Do

• Partner with our Facility Manager to handle HVAC service calls across the portfolio — diagnostics, repairs, and preventive maintenance on rooftop units, split systems, VRF/VRV, chillers, and light commercial equipment.
• Make the call on in-house vs. outsource for each work order based on scope, equipment, and timing.
• Coordinate with outside HVAC vendors and subs when jobs require specialized equipment, crane work, or after-hours manpower — including vetting bids, reviewing scopes, and quality-checking completed work.
• Perform seasonal PMs and help build out a preventive maintenance program that reduces emergency calls and extends equipment life.
• Troubleshoot electrical, refrigeration, and controls issues; make the repair vs. replace call and communicate clearly with property managers and tenants.
• Maintain accurate service records, equipment logs, and refrigerant tracking in compliance with EPA regulations.
• Respond to occasional after-hours emergency calls (on-call pay and overtime included).

What We're Looking For

• Active Alabama HVAC Contractor License from the State of Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors — this is a hard requirement, as our in-house service operation will operate under your license.
• Active EPA Section 608 Universal certification.
• 5+ years of hands-on commercial HVAC experience (light commercial and rooftop equipment are our bread and butter).
• Strong diagnostic skills — you can walk onto a unit, read the symptoms, and find the root cause without throwing parts at it.
• Strong communicator who works well with a team — you'll partner daily with our Facility Manager and interact regularly with property managers and tenants.
• Clean driving record and ability to pass a background check.
• Professional appearance and demeanor.

Bonus Points For

• Experience with building automation systems (BAS), controls, or smart thermostats at scale.
• NATE certification, manufacturer certs (Trane, Carrier, Daikin, Mitsubishi), or boiler/chiller experience.
• Prior experience leading a crew or running a service route independently.
• Familiarity with AppFolio, ServiceTitan, or similar work order platforms.

Schedule

Monday–Friday, regular business hours. After-hours emergency calls come up occasionally and are compensated with on-call pay and overtime — but this isn't a role where you're chasing calls every night or weekend. We respect your time outside of work.

Compensation & Benefits

We're competing for top talent and we pay like it.

• Pay: $30–$50/hour based on experience and certifications. Exceptional candidates can negotiate above that range.
• Company vehicle + fuel card — no wear and tear on your personal truck.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• Paid training and certifications — EPA renewals, manufacturer schools, NATE, and continuing education on us.
• Company-provided tools, uniforms, and PPE.

About Samples Properties

Samples Properties is Huntsville's oldest commercial real estate firm, with a property management history dating back to the inception of Cummings Research Park. We take an integrated approach to commercial real estate — brokerage, property management, and now in-house facility services all under one roof — because we believe the best outcomes come from teams that know the buildings, know the tenants, and take pride in the result.

Our commitment to proactive property management is what's driving us to bring HVAC in-house. We want a licensed professional who shares that mindset: address issues swiftly, prevent the next ones, and treat every building like it matters.

We are a professional property management and services company overseeing a diverse portfolio of commercial buildings in the Huntsville area. Our team is committed to maintaining safe, efficient, and comfortable environments for our tenants and clients.

Company Description

We are a professional property management and services company overseeing a diverse portfolio of commercial buildings in the Huntsville area. Our team is committed to maintaining safe, efficient, and comfortable environments for our tenants and clients.