AC Technician (HVAC/R Technician)
Reports To: Engineering Supervisor / Chief Engineer
Works Alongside: General Technician, Kitchen Technician (for refrigeration overlap)
Job Overview:
The AC Technician is a specialized expert responsible for installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. This role ensures optimal indoor climate control, energy efficiency, and the proper operation of critical cooling equipment across the facility.
Key Responsibilities:
- System Maintenance & Service: Perform scheduled preventive maintenance on HVAC/R equipment, including air handlers, chillers, cooling towers, RTUs, split systems, and VRF/VRV systems. Tasks include cleaning coils, changing filters, checking refrigerant levels, and calibrating controls.
- Diagnostics & Repair: Troubleshoot and repair complex mechanical and electrical faults in HVAC/R systems. Identify issues with compressors, motors, fans, control boards, thermostats, and refrigerant circuits.
- Refrigeration Specialist: Service and repair walk-in coolers/freezers, reach-ins, ice machines, and other commercial refrigeration equipment. Perform leak detection, evacuation, and precise refrigerant charging.
- Installation & Commissioning: Assist in the installation of new HVAC/R equipment, including piping, wiring, and ductwork. Ensure systems are commissioned and operating to manufacturer specifications.
- Building Automation: Work with Building Automation Systems (BAS) to monitor performance, adjust setpoints, and diagnose system anomalies. Understand sequence of operations.
- Emergency Response: Provide urgent response to HVAC/R system failures that could impact operations, comfort, or product safety (e.g., data center cooling, kitchen refrigeration).
- Compliance & Documentation: Maintain accurate records of all service, repairs, and refrigerant usage as mandated by EPA regulations. Adhere to all safety codes and procedures.
- Inventory & Tools: Manage a personal inventory of HVAC/R-specific parts, gauges, vacuum pumps, and leak detectors.
Qualifications & Skills:
- High school diploma or equivalent; Completion of a formal HVAC/R apprenticeship or technical school program required.
- Minimum 3-5 years of hands-on commercial HVAC/R experience.
- Mandatory Certification: EPA Section 608 Universal Certification for handling refrigerants.
- Strong electrical and mechanical diagnostic skills. Understanding of psychrometrics and HVAC/R theory.
- Proficiency with manifold gauges, multimeters, megohmmeters, and other diagnostic tools.
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals.
- Physical ability to work in extreme temperatures, lift heavy equipment, and work at heights.
