HVAC-R MECHANIC

University of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Michigan is seeking a skilled HVAC technician to operate, service, and maintain direct expansion, steam absorption, and related heating and cooling equipment across facilities. The role includes maintaining chilled water systems, gas-fired heating, and complex control systems, with emphasis on safety and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities cover maintenance of chillers, cooling towers, purifiers and DDC controls, plus routine testing, balancing, and documentation to ensure

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Knowledge of HVAC tools, equipment and methods needed.
• EPA certification required.
• Ability to drive University vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Operate, service, and maintain direct expansion and steam absorption HVAC equipment and related systems.
• Analyze and maintain air conditioning, refrigeration, and chiller plants including controls, pumps and distribution.
• Service and maintain refrigeration equipment including walk-in coolers, rooftop units, ice machines, and UL/low temp freezers.
• Service gas-fired heating units and maintain humidification/dehumidification systems.
• Maintain and test chilled and condenser water systems and treatment programs.
• Read and interpret operation sequences and DDC programming code; perform test and balance work.

Skills

HVAC systems

Refrigeration

Chiller operation

DDC programming

Reading diagrams

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

EPA certification

Job description

Job Summary

To operate, service, and maintain direct expansion and steam absorption air conditioning and refrigeration equipment; maintain gas fired heating systems; operate, service, and maintain associated heat transfer systems including chilled water pumps; piping and coils; cooling towers and condenser water pumps and piping; air handling units; pneumatic, electrical, DDC and electronic control systems; valves, instrumentation and auxiliary equipment.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and maintain air conditioning, refrigeration, and chiller plants including: control systems; pump distribution; chillers; cooling towers; condenser water systems; water treatment; refrigerant flow devices; control systems; fan systems, and terminal equipment.
• Operate, service, and maintain chillers, cooling towers, chilled water and condenser water pumping systems, and control and instrumentation systems
• Service, install, and maintain refrigeration equipment including reach-in and walk-in coolers; air driers; self contained rooftop units; ice machines; ultra low temperature freezers; and other refrigeration equipment.
• Service and maintain gas-fired heating units
• Maintain and service humidification and dehumidification systems (excluding regulated pressure vessel components)
• Maintain and service refrigerant type air dryer systems.
• Establish system performance operating parameters and test to assure system performance parameters are being met.
• Read, interpret and generate sequence of operation for HVAC equipment and systems. Read and utilize DDC programming code.
• Perform test and balance work.
• Maintain And Adjust Fluids Including, Oils, Refrigerants, And Absorption Chiller Solutions. Service And Maintain Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, And Chiller Plant Systems Including
• Disassemble units for repair; perform major overhauls of absorption and centrifugal chillers; service pumps, strainers and filters; test and rebuild vacuum pumps, damper motors, water and refrigerant coils; conduct eddy current testing; and other components in air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation distribution systems.
• Read and interpret diagrams, sketches, and job specifications related to air conditioning, gas fired heating, and refrigeration systems, and apply information from technical literature such as manufacturer's equipment documentation and building operation and maintenance documentation.
• Maintain and use records such as equipment logs as required to document system and work performance.
• Maintain chemical levels for chilled and condenser water treatment systems. Operate air distribution systems within buildings.
• Utilize refrigeration cycles and the proper use of various refrigerants.
• Balance and treat chilled and condenser water systems, sequence chiller operations, clean tube bundles, manage chiller fluids and purge chiller.
• Fill out log sheets relating to chemical treatment activities and take oil and refrigerant samples, and test for acidity and moisture content.
• Drain and fill chilled water, hot water, and condenser water systems.
• Be aware of and follow regulatory requirements.
• Check and verify accuracy of thermometers and pressure gauges.
• Clean cooling tower sumps, chiller water, condenser and evaporator coils; repair cooling tower water distribution headers and apply condenser water lay-up treatment.
• Fill out refrigerant compliance forms, system log sheets, water treatment logs, and other necessary departmental paperwork.
• Service and maintain thermostats, VAV boxes, TEC's, lab ventilation equipment, and fan coil units.
• Respond to HVAC complaints and provide customer service.

Required Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or equivalent is necessary.
• Reasonable knowledge of the tools, equipment, methods and materials involved in the operation, service and maintenance of air conditioning, refrigeration and chiller plant systems is necessary.
• Possession of appropriate EPA certification is necessary.
• Must be able to fulfill the requirements needed to drive a University vehicle.

Desired Qualifications

• Specialized training in chiller system operation is desirable.

Work Schedule

Shift: Sunday - Wednesday, 2:30 pm - 1 am

Personnel in this position will on occasion be asked to work overtime and/or on-call to respond to emergencies.

Additional Information

Facilities and Operations is a positive organization dedicated to the principles of being respectful, collaborative, solutions-based, and proactive.

Union Affiliation

This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the U-M Skilled Trades Union, Inc., which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.