AC Refrigeration Technician Journeyperson

Cornell University; Town of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 72,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University’s Facilities Management team is seeking an AC Refrigeration Mechanic/Plumber for onsite work on the Ithaca campus. The role focuses on installing, repairing, and maintaining refrigeration and air conditioning systems, with emphasis on safety and collaboration with campus customers.

The position requires a high school diploma, 5+ years in refrigeration, universal technician certification, and a valid US driver’s license.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• At least 5 years in refrigeration or related field.
• Must hold universal technician certification per 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F.
• Basic working knowledge of computers.
• Must be a member of local plumbers or electricians union or join within 30 days.
• Good customer relations and teamwork skills.
• Ability to access crawl spaces, attics, labs, and other tight areas.
• Valid US driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Install, repair, and troubleshoot refrigeration, air conditioning and compressed air systems and controls.
• Perform preventative maintenance on systems.
• Respond to emergency trouble calls.
• Maintain records and logs using an electronic work management system.
• Be accountable to department and university guidelines.

Skills

Refrigeration systems

Universal technician cert.

Basic computer knowledge

Driver's license

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The Cornell University campus is widely admired as one of the world’s most beautiful academic settings. The Division of Facilities and Campus Services is committed to providing the highest quality service to faculty, students, staff, alumni, and visitors.

With more than 260 major buildings enhancing the magnificent landscape of the Ithaca campus, approximately 1,000 highly talented and dedicated staff serve as steward of the campus resources and operations.

All employees are accountable for supporting the organization’s values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, and integrity; and supporting inclusive and sustainable practices in carrying out everyday responsibilities.

Facilities Management (FM) provides maintenance, grounds, and custodial services to the entire campus. FM serves as a partner within the zone structure for the Contract Colleges (CC), Endowed (EN), and Student and Campus Life (SCL) zones.

As a key steward of the University’s facilities, FM is responsible for facility assessments, skilled trades, general construction, building care, grounds, recycling, asbestos, and the management of planned, corrective, and preventive maintenance.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Install, repair, and trouble shoot refrigeration, air conditioning and compressed air systems and controls. Perform preventative maintenance on systems. Respond to emergency trouble calls.

Be accountable to work in a manner consistent with departmental and university defined roles, responsibilities, and jurisdictional guidelines.

Acquire and maintain licenses and/or special knowledge to perform work and maintain specialized equipment as required.

Maintain good working relationship with building coordinators, department’s customers, and the Cornell community.

Utilize electronic work management system to receive work assignments and prioritization, and document and record all efforts. Maintain appropriate records and logs.

This is a benefits eligible, union position within the BTC. The starting pay rate is $52.16/hour.

We are a value–based organization where all employees are accountable for supporting the organization’s values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, and integrity. Facilities and Campus Services employees are required to attend staff development trainings and participate in the performance evaluation process.

We Require These Qualifications

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent. At least 5 years of experience in the refrigeration or related field.
• Must be certified as a universal technician, per 40CFR Part 82 Subpart F and provide proof of certification
• Must have a basic, working knowledge of computers
• Must be a member of the local plumbers or electricians union, or be willing to join the union within 30 days after starting employment at Cornell
• Good customer relations, interpersonal communication, and teamwork skills
• Required to inspect and work in crawl spaces, attics, laboratories, ventilation equipment, mechanical rooms, mechanical shafts, sub basements, and confined/isolated areas. Access to these may be by ladder or scaffold tower on platforms up to 100’ high.
• Risk exposure to asbestos, toxic vapors, heat, cold, height, and accumulated dirt. Use of employer provided safety equipment, including a respirator, is required.
• Must be available to work overtime as duties require, including weekends. Possibility of shift work. Delivers heavy material to job sites.
• Must have ability to ascend and descend heights, have agility and freedom of movement, ability to climb stairs, ladders, and scaffold, and ability to move easily in confined spaces.
• Must have and maintain a valid US driver’s license; may be required to operate a motor vehicle (your own vehicle or Cornell-owned) to travel to/from job sites.

You will be a top candidate with our preferred qualifications:

• Apprentice certification desirable

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

Rewards & Benefits Cornell provides great benefits that include educational benefits, access to a plethora of wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, health care options to choose from, generous paid leave provisions: 3 weeks of vacation leave, health and personal leave, 13 holidays (including end of year winter break through New Year’s Day), 2 floating holidays, and superior retirement contributions. Cornell has also been nationally recognized as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.

University Job Title

ACRefrig Mech/Plumb

Job Family

Building Trades Council

Level

REG

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Range

Refer to Union Pay Rates Link Below

Remote Option Availability

Onsite

Company

Non-Union Positions

Noted Pay Ranges Reflect The Potential Pay Opportunity For Each Job Profile. The Hiring Rate Of Pay For The Successful Candidate Will Be Determined Considering The Following Criteria

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

Union Positions The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-05-08