Refrigeration and Mechanical Technician

Canadian Armed Forces; Gagetown; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the Canadian Armed Forces as a Refrigeration and Mechanical Technician, responsible for ensuring HVAC and refrigeration systems function effectively for military operations. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute both at home and abroad, with training provided for essential skills needed in the field. Experience a career with great pay, travel opportunities, and the ability to gain specialized knowledge and skills.

Benefits

Signing bonus for applicants joining full-time

Opportunities for specialized training

Employment security with a pension plan

Qualifications

• No previous work experience or career-related skills are required.
• Basic military qualification training required.
• Completion of occupational training for approximately 24 weeks.

Responsibilities

• Install, operate, maintain, and repair refrigeration and HVAC systems.
• Service aircraft arresting systems and radar systems.
• Collaborate with other trades to accomplish tasks.

Skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Education

Completion of provincial requirements for Grade 10

Tools

HVAC systems

Refrigeration systems

Aircraft Arresting Systems

Job description

Non-Commissioned Member | Full Time, Part Time

In Demand

As a member of the military, Refrigeration and MechanicalTechnicians provide heating, ventilation and air conditioning, refrigeration, aircraft-arresting systems and radar systems engineering support to operational units at home and abroad.

This occupation is currently offering a Signing Bonus to applicants joining the Regular Force (Full-Time) who meet certain criteria. Conditions apply.Click here for more information.

THE HIGH STAKES WORLD OF A REFRIGERATION AND MECHANICAL TECHNICIAN.

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FOR A LOOK INSIDE THE SKILL, EXPERTISE AND DEDICATION BEHIND THE OCCUPATION.

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Transcript

Transcript

Refrigeration and Mechanical Systems Technicians, or RM Techs, install and service the refrigeration systems for food storage lockers and air conditioning units on military bases both at home and overseas.

RM Techs can be called upon for anything that requires keeping equipment and personnel cool, from changing a belt or a filter to installing an entire HVAC system. Technicians often collaborate with other Construction Engineering trades to get the job done.

RM Techs may also maintain, operate, and rebuild aircraft arresting equipment. This system acts as an emergency braking system (when needed) for a tail hooked aircraft upon landing or during an aborted takeoff. The Arresting System depending on the weight and speed of the aircraft will determine the stopping distance of the aircraft. Typically, however the aircraft comes to a safe stop between 900 – 1000ft down the Rwy.

On bases, they service aircraft hangar doors and the mechanical components of aircraft radar systems. When on deployment they’re also responsible for keeping all tents and server rooms cool.

As one of seven Construction Engineering positions, RM Techs have an essential set of skills for any Canadian Armed Forces operation.

Transcript

Refrigeration and Mechanical Systems Technician

Interviewer:
Today we're in Kingston to meet with Sergeant Dave Fleet, who is a Refrigeration and Mechanical Systems Technician. Let's go learn what exactly that means. Hey, Dave, how's it going?

Dave:
Hey, just finishing up this job, but let's walk and talk.

Interviewer:
Oh, awesome. So this is where the RM Techs work?

Dave:
Not usually, but today we get called up for a system on the roof. So that's why we're here.

Interviewer:
Okay, cool. So what exactly is an RM Tech?

Dave:
We install, maintain and repair heating and ventilation and air conditioning systems. We also work on arrestor gear and overhead doors.

Interviewer:
Wait, what's arrestor gear?

Dave:
So arrestor gear is kind of like Top Gun where they catch the plane. Except for no Tom Cruise.

Interviewer:
Oh. So cool. Is that your favorite military movie?

Dave:
Absolutely.

Interviewer:
So does everyone work with the arrestor gear?

Dave:
When you join as an RM Tech you get the basic skills to work on arrestor gear systems. But it's definitely a specialty in our trade. Not everybody works on it on a daily basis.

Interviewer:
So what's your favorite part of the job?

Dave:
Just like what we're doing today, I get called in to use my skills and fix a problem.

Interviewer:
And what's your favorite thing to do outside of work?

Dave:
It's definitely to hang out with my dog and go fishing.

Interviewer:
Cool. So why is refrigeration so important to the military?

Dave:
We get to provide overseas and domestic support and maintain our infrastructure.

Interviewer:
Okay. Got it. So what is a typical day for you?

Dave:
A typical day is, we have 150 buildings on base. About 600 systems. So our diversity is pretty good.

Interviewer:
Awesome. What other kinds of jobs are you called to work on?

Dave:
Well, I can go show you because this one is all finished.

Interviewer:
Okay. Let's go.

Interviewer:
All right. So, Dave, do you still get to be a soldier as an RM Tech?

Dave:
Absolutely. Every year we maintain our physical fitness standards and our firearm proficiency.

Interviewer:
Okay. And what's the hardest part of the job?

Dave:
When it's hot outside, we're outside.

Interviewer:
Got it. Do you use any of your RM Tech skills outside of work?

Dave:
Our skills are actually highly transferable to the civilian world, and it's great to help out friends and family when they're in need.

Interviewer:
Oh, amazing. So why did you join the CAF originally?

Dave:
I actually joined to follow in the footsteps of my brother, but I joined as artillery.

Interviewer:
Oh, and what made you make the change to RM Tech?

Dave:
Working with my hands is just a little bit more appealing. And the job satisfaction is pretty good.

Interviewer:
What would you say the biggest job is you've ever worked on?

Dave:
Replacing some rooftop systems on the gym. And if you look over there, you can see them.

Interviewer:
Oh, cool. Should we head to your next job?

Dave:
All right, let's do it.

Interviewer:
Okay, let's do some rapid fire. Coffee or energy drink?

Dave:
Energy drink.

Interviewer:
Early bird or night owl?

Dave:
Night owl.

Interviewer:
Sand or snow?

Dave:
Sand. All the way.

Interviewer:
Dog or cat person?

Dave:
Dog. No doubt about it.

Interviewer:
I knew it. What's your best memory as an RM Tech?

Dave:
Definitely providing air conditioning to a building that didn't have it for 15 years. That's something I'll remember.

Interviewer:
Oh, wow. Okay, can you finish the sentence for me? The most important qualities of an RM Tech are...

Dave:
Attention to detail and teamwork.

Interviewer:
Okay, speaking of teamwork, do you work mostly by yourself or as part of a team?

Dave:
Usually as an RM Tech, you work in teams of two that can either be with a fellow CAF member or your civilian counterpart.

Interviewer:
Why should someone choose to be an RM Tech in the forces rather than in the private sector?

Dave:
We have great pay and great travel opportunities.

Interviewer:
If you retired tomorrow, what would you miss most?

Dave:
It's got to be the deployments.

Interviewer:
Okay, so you've been deployed?

Dave:
Yes, I've been to Latvia once and I recently just got back from Jamaica.

Interviewer:
Wow. What was that like?

Dave:
That was fantastic. Working with other nations. It was really great.

Interviewer:
Okay, Dave, this is the last question. Would you recommend this job to others?

Dave:
100%. Anyways, it's been great talking with you, but I gotta get back to work.

Interviewer:
Okay. Thank you.

Overview

As a member of the military, Refrigeration and MechanicalTechnicians provide heating, ventilation and air conditioning, refrigeration, aircraft-arresting systems and radar systems engineering support to operational units at home and abroad.

The Refrigeration and Mechanical Technician job is one of seven Construction Engineering positions that provide all construction, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering services to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations.

The primary responsibilities of the Refrigeration and MechanicalTechnician are to:

• Install, operate, maintain and repair fixed and mobile refrigeration systems and associated control equipment
• Install, operate, maintain and repair heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and associated control equipment
• Install, operate, maintain and repair Aircraft Arresting Systems
• Install, operate, maintain, repair and overhaul mechanical systems associated with Aircraft Radar Systems
• Produce associated designs and specifications
• Produce associated mechanical drawings
• Conduct reconnaissance related to the above

Work environment

Refrigeration and Mechanical Technicians often work with the challenges that come with varying environmental conditions. During peacetime, Refrigeration and Mechanical Technicians maintain their skills while employed at home units or on humanitarian and United Nations operational assignments.

If you chose a career in theRegular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technician

Training

The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. A goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.

Refrigeration and Mechanical Technicians may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including:

• Heating ventilation and air conditioning controls
• Aircraft arresting systems
• Team leaders course
• Fixed aircraft arresting technician course

No previous work experience or career related skills are required. CAF recruiters can help you decide if your personal interests and attributes match the criteria for this occupation.

The minimum required education to apply for this occupation is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondary 4 in Quebec including Grade 10 Applied Math or Math 416 / CST 4 in Quebec.

Foreign education may be accepted.

Part time options

This position is available for part-time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve part time with a military unit in their community, and may serve while going to school or working at a civilian job. They are paid during their training. They are not posted or required to do a military move. However, they can volunteer to move to another base. They may also volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.

Reserve Force members are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts. They usually begin training with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required basic professional military standards. Following basic military training, occupational training for Refrigeration and Mechanical Technicians takes approximately 24 weeks and is conducted at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Gagetown, New Brunswick.

Reserve Force members usually serve part-time with their home unit for scheduled evenings and weekends (Air Reserve Refrigeration and Mechanical Technicians usually serve up to 12 days per month in a regular work day), although they may also serve in full-time positions at some units for fixed terms, depending on the type of work that they do. They are paid 92.8percent of Regular Force rates of pay, receive a reasonable benefits package and may qualify to contribute to a pension plan.