HVAC Mechanic

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Norton (MA); On-site; USD 41,328 - 48,216; Full time

Job summary

Wheaton College in Massachusetts invites applications for the position of HVAC Mechanic. This essential role involves maintaining a safe and efficient campus environment through installation, troubleshooting, and repairing HVAC systems.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience, a high school diploma or GED, and EPA certification. The starting hourly rate is competitive, between $30 and $35, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of hands-on experience in the HVAC industry.
• Proven track record of specialized technical expertise.
• EPA Section 608 Universal Certification required.

Responsibilities

• Install, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain HVAC systems.
• Plan and coordinate HVAC projects with site workflows.
• Inspect installations to ensure code compliance.

Skills

Hands-on experience in HVAC

Troubleshooting chilled water systems

Understanding of Building Management Systems

Communication with clients

Attention to safety regulations

Record keeping

Education

High school diploma or GED

Vocational or technical training in HVAC technology

Tools

HVAC systems

EPA certification

Johnson Controls

Job description

Job Summary

Wheaton College in Massachusetts invites applications for the position of HVAC Mechanic. This full-time role is essential to maintaining a safe, comfortable, and energy-efficient campus environment for students, faculty, and staff. The HVAC Mechanic will be responsible for installing, troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining a wide range of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems across campus facilities. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical expertise, a commitment to preventive maintenance, and a collaborative approach to supporting the College’s mission through reliable building operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervisor Support: Performs all duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor. This may include attendance of and participation in required training for role.
• Project Oversight: Plan and coordinate HVAC projects, including interpreting blueprints, estimating labor/materials, and managing site workflows to ensure timely completion.
• Advanced Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve complex mechanical, electrical, and refrigerant issues that junior staff cannot solve independently.
• Quality Control: Inspect completed installations and repairs to verify compliance with local building codes, safety regulations, and manufacturer specifications.
• Customer Relations: Act as the primary onsite contact for clients, explaining technical findings, providing repair recommendations, and ensuring high customer satisfaction.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate records of work orders, material usage, payroll/time logs, and refrigerant tracking (EPA compliance).
• Controls Troubleshooting: Diagnose and fix issues within the HVAC systems to ensure efficiency and accurate operations.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• 1-3 years of hands‑on experience in the HVAC industry with a proven track record of specialized technical expertise.
• Working knowledge of chilled water systems, including chiller troubleshooting ability.
• Experience with steam heating systems.
• Understanding of Building Management Systems experience, ability to set schedules and trends; ability to troubleshoot system and component problems. Preferred experience with Johnson Controls.
• EPA Section 608 Universal Certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Vocational or technical training or degree in HVAC technology.
• NATE Certification (North American Technician Excellence).
• 2nd Fireman License.
• Journeyman Refrigeration Technician license.

Compensation and Benefits

Wheaton College maintains a flexible and competitive staff compensation and benefits program. The starting hourly rate for this position is $30–$35 per hour. The actual salary will be commensurate with the qualifications, education and experience of the candidate hired.

Physical Demands

• Standing
• Walking
• Bending
• Stooping
• Climbing stairs/ladders
• Kneeling, squatting
• Crouching
• Crawling
• Reaching overhead
• Pulling, pushing
• Lifting – up to 20 pounds
• Lifting – up to 50 pounds
• Lifting – over 50 pounds
• Outdoor environment: employees work outdoors and may not be protected from weather conditions.
• Noise: sufficient noise to cause you to shout to be heard above the noise level.
• Hazards: proximity to moving mechanical parts, tools, moving vehicles, electrical current, scaffolding, high places, exposure to chemicals.
• Oils and fluids: exposure to petroleum, oil and lubricants or other cutting fluids.
• Atmospheric conditions: fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases or poor ventilation.
• Close quarters: work in crawlspaces, shafts, manholes, sewage and water line pipes and other areas that could cause claustrophobia.

ADA Statement

Individuals must possess these knowledge, skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

EEO Statement

Wheaton College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, or disability. In a continuing effort to maintain and enrich an intellectually diverse learning environment, the Department and the College actively encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented groups. Wheaton’s core belief is that valuing diversity is pivotal to personal development, intellectual expansion, and societal equity. Our community is united by a shared dedication to equity and access that is essential to providing a transformative education in the Liberal Arts and Sciences.