HVAC General Maintenance Technician (Entry Level)

Drew University; Fairwoods (NJ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Drew University on its Madison, New Jersey campus is seeking an entry-level HVAC Technician to join the Facilities team. You’ll support preventive maintenance, assist with repairs, and help keep campus buildings comfortable and safe.

Ideal for a recent HVAC graduate or someone with hands-on experience, offering on-site training, exposure to multiple building systems, and opportunities to grow within a collaborative university environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Completion of an HVAC trade or vocational school program, or equivalent hands‑on HVAC experience.
• Valid U.S. driver's license and ability to operate a car, van, light truck, or utility vehicle.
• Ability to work a rotating on‑call schedule, including after‑hours emergencies, overtime, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to communicate professionally with students, faculty, staff, and contractors.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and perform the physical requirements of the position.
• OSHA 10-Hour certification.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine preventive maintenance on HVAC equipment, including air handlers, rooftop units, boilers, pumps, and exhaust fans.
• Inspect and maintain HVAC components, including filters, belts, coils, motors, and condensate lines; assist with seasonal heating and cooling changeovers.
• Assist experienced technicians with troubleshooting and repairing HVAC issues and responding to campus heating, cooling, and ventilation complaints.

Skills

HVAC fundamentals

Teamwork

English communication

Manual dexterity

Education

High school diploma or GED

HVAC trade or vocational school program

Tools

CMMS familiarity

Hand and power tools

Job description

Start Your HVAC Career in a Campus Environment

Are you looking to build your HVAC career while gaining hands‑on experience with a variety of commercial building systems? Drew University offers an opportunity to put your technical knowledge to work, learn from experienced Facilities professionals, and continue developing your skills in a diverse, multi‑building campus environment.

Drew University is seeking an HVAC Technician- Entry Level to join our Facilities team in Madison, New Jersey. This position is ideal for a recent HVAC trade school graduate or someone with some hands‑on experience who is ready to grow their technical abilities while supporting the daily operation and maintenance of the University's buildings.

You'll work with a variety of HVAC equipment across academic buildings, residence halls, and administrative offices, performing preventive maintenance, assisting with troubleshooting and repairs, and responding to service requests that help keep the campus comfortable, safe, and operating smoothly.

What You'll Do

HVAC Maintenance & Preventive Care

• Perform routine preventive maintenance on HVAC equipment, including air handlers, rooftop units, boilers, pumps, and exhaust fans.
• Inspect and maintain HVAC components, including filters, belts, coils, motors, and condensate lines; assist with seasonal heating and cooling changeovers.
• Assist experienced technicians with troubleshooting and repairing HVAC issues and responding to campus heating, cooling, and ventilation complaints.

General Maintenance & Campus Support

• Respond to general maintenance requests, perform basic repairs, and assist with building emergencies such as water leaks, flooding, and heating or cooling issues.
• Support residence hall turnovers, student move‑in and move‑out, campus events, and other general maintenance needs.

Safety, Documentation & Teamwork

• Follow University safety procedures and OSHA requirements, complete work orders and preventive maintenance records, and maintain organized work areas, tools, and supplies.
• Work collaboratively with Facilities team members, contractors, and the campus community while participating in required training and rotating on‑call and holiday coverage.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who has a foundation in HVAC and is eager to gain practical experience, learn from experienced technicians, and contribute to a team responsible for maintaining a large university campus. A willingness to take direction, develop new skills, and assist with general maintenance needs is important.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Completion of an HVAC trade or vocational school program, or equivalent hands‑on HVAC experience.
• Valid U.S. driver's license and ability to operate a car, van, light truck, or utility vehicle.
• Ability to work a rotating on‑call schedule, including after‑hours emergencies, overtime, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to communicate professionally with students, faculty, staff, and contractors.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and perform the physical requirements of the position.
• OSHA 10-Hour certification.

Desired Skills:

• Basic understanding of HVAC principles, including refrigeration cycles, heating systems, airflow, and basic electrical circuits.
• Ability to safely use common hand tools, power tools, and basic testing equipment, such as a multimeter.
• Knowledge of preventive maintenance practices and workplace safety procedures, including lockout/tagout.
• Familiarity with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), work order processes, and computer‑based equipment.
• Ability to work independently, follow direction, manage assigned tasks, and collaborate effectively with a team.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:

This position involves working both indoors and outdoors and requires the ability to:

• Bend, stoop, kneel, twist, crawl, and climb ladders.
• Work in confined or elevated spaces, including mechanical rooms, ceilings, crawl spaces, and rooftops.
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds, including up and down stairs.
• Stand and walk for extended periods and travel between buildings across a wooded campus.

Your Schedule

This is a full‑time, 40-hour-per-week, on‑site position based at Drew University's campus in Madison, New Jersey.

The position participates in a rotating team‑wide on‑call and holiday coverage schedule. Scheduled coverage may include after‑hours emergencies, overtime, weekends, and holidays.

Why Join Drew University?

• A Place to Build Your Skills: Apply your HVAC training while gaining practical experience with a variety of commercial building systems.
• Learn from Experienced Professionals: Work alongside an established Facilities team and continue developing your troubleshooting and maintenance abilities.
• Variety in Your Work: Support academic buildings, residence halls, and administrative spaces rather than working in a single building or location.
• Make a Visible Contribution: Help maintain the campus environment where students live, learn, and work.
• Campus Community: Be part of a collaborative team supporting the daily needs of a university community in a beautiful, wooded setting.

Join Our Team

Ready to put your HVAC knowledge to work and continue building your skills? If you're interested in hands‑on experience, learning from experienced professionals, and contributing to the day‑to‑day operation of a university campus, we'd welcome your application.

Join the Drew University Facilities team!

About Drew University

Drew University, a Phi Beta Kappa liberal arts university, includes the College of Liberal Arts, the Drew Theological School and the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies. Drew is located on a beautiful, wooded campus in Madison, New Jersey, a thriving small town close to New York City.

It has a total enrollment of more than 2,200 students and has 136 full‑time faculty members, 96% of whom hold the terminal degree in their field. The Theological and Caspersen schools offer master's and doctoral degrees, and the College confers BA and BS degrees in 40 disciplines and offers 19 dual‑degree programs.

Drew's one‑of‑a‑kind, leading edge path to an undergraduate degree, Launch, ensures that every student graduates with a purpose, sought‑after transferable skills, a network of mentors, and an experience‑based résumé—guaranteed. Particularly noteworthy opportunities for undergraduates include the Charles A. Dana Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti (RISE), the Drew Summer Science Institute (DSSI), the Center for Civic Engagement, as well as seven New York City semesters and several international study abroad programs.

The Caspersen School of Graduate Studies offers a wide array of distinctive and flexible advanced degree programs designed to meet the needs of almost any busy schedule. All programs are based on Drew's renowned commitment to faculty‑student mentorship, opportunities for out‑of‑the‑classroom experiential learning, and facilitating a robust intellectual community.

The Theological School has a distinguished history rooted in the United Methodist Church. Today, it serves many denominations as a center for preparing clergy and leaders for service in the church and the world. Its focus on biblical and theological scholarship and social justice has made it a sought after destination for students pursuing master's and doctoral degrees.

To enrich education through diversity, Drew University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Following federal and state requirements; a candidate must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States if selected for hire.

This position is subject to a background check.