HVAC/Refrigeration Master Mechanic

State of Louisiana; Ruston (LA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement options

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Tuition discount

Wellness center access

Professional development

Promotions

Job summary

Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA, seeks an HVAC/Refrigeration Master Mechanic to lead the maintenance of campus climate systems within the Physical Plant Department. You will oversee large-scale chillers, air handling equipment, and related refrigeration systems across classrooms, offices, and student housing.

The role combines hands-on technical mastery with supervisory responsibilities, supporting a safe, efficient campus environment.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience or training in the installation and/or maintenance of heating, ventilating, or air conditioning systems.
• EPA Section 608 Certification required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and maintain over 11 absorption chillers (110–400 tons).
• Manage campus heating and cooling for all buildings and 500+ residential units.
• Maintain industrial refrigeration units like walk-ins and pony chillers.
• Repair and replace compressors, motors, pumps, bearings, seals and gaskets.
• Service evaporator/condensate coils, tubes, and fan coil units (2000+).
• Diagnose electrical issues and install control wiring.

Skills

HVAC maintenance

Industrial refrigeration

Education

EPA 608 Certification

Job description

About This Job

As a selective-admissions, comprehensive public university, Louisiana Tech is committed to quality in teaching, research, creative activity and scholarship, public service, and workforce/economic development. Louisiana Tech maintains as its highest priority the education and development of its students in a challenging environment within a safe and supportive, diverse community of learners.

Are you a master of your craft ready to oversee the high-stakes infrastructure of a Tier 1 research university? At Louisiana Tech University, we don’t just fix machines; we maintain the environment where the next generation of engineers, scientists, and leaders are forged.

We are seeking an HVAC/Refrigeration Master Mechanic to serve as a technical linchpin within our Physical Plant Department. This is a high-level role responsible for the climate integrity and mechanical health of the entire campus—from classrooms and offices to student housing. You will be responsible for the maintenance and repair of an expansive inventory, including over 11 absorption chillers, 40 Freon chillers, and thousands of air-handling components. If you are looking for a role that combines hands‑on technical mastery with supervisory oversight in a stable, mission-driven environment, this is your next career move.

Join us in keeping Louisiana Tech University running at peak performance. Apply today to build a legacy in the heart of Ruston.

Minimum Qualifications

• Three years of experience or training in the installation and/or maintenance of heating, ventilating, or air conditioning systems.
• EPA Section 608 Certification

Job Duties and Other Information

• Large-Scale HVAC Management: Supervise and maintain over 11 absorption chillers (110–400 tons), centrifugals (100–200 tons), and 40 Freon chillers (100+ tons).
• Campus-Wide Operations: Manage heating and cooling systems for all campus buildings and apartments, including 500+ residential units.
• Specialized Refrigeration: Maintain industrial and commercial units like walk-in freezers, ice cream machines, pony chillers, and reach-in coolers.
• Mechanical Repairs: Perform expert-level repair and replacement of compressors, motors, pumps, bearings, seals, and gaskets.
• System Maintenance: Clean and service evaporator/condensate coils, tubes, and fan coil units (over 2,000 units on site).
• Electrical Troubleshooting: Diagnose electrical issues, check and adjust controls, and handle the installation of control wiring.
• Chemical Treatment: Adjust solution charges in absorption chillers and manage the addition of inhibitors and alcohol as required.
• Infrastructure Support: Repair water and drain leaks and handle piping, ductwork, and cooling tower maintenance.
• Administrative Oversight: Responsible for the procurement of parts and materials and providing supervision to the refrigeration shop.
• Heavy Equipment Service: Maintain large‑scale air handlers, including over 400 blowers and their associated gearboxes, shafts, and couplings.

Position-Specific Details

Appointment Type: This position will be filled as a Probationary Appointment.

Location: Louisiana Tech University Physical Plant-Ruston, LA

Work Schedule: The typical work schedule for this position is Monday-Friday, 7:30am to 4pm. May be required to work some overtime, weekends, or holidays.

Annual Salary: $46,842 - $84,302 (Depends on Qualifications).

Benefits: Louisiana Tech offers outstanding perks and benefits to eligible employees that include a variety of health insurance plans and retirement options, paid time off for vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, substantially reduced‑rate tuition for employees and their dependents, discounted memberships at the university’s sports and wellness center, professional development training, and promotional opportunities. In addition, market adjustment salary increases are awarded annually (pending funding availability) for eligible classified employees.

Contact Information

Louisiana Tech University, Office of Human Resources

P.O. Box 3173

Ruston, LA 71272

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Louisiana Tech University is an AA/ADA/EEO employer. Louisiana Tech recruits, selects, employs and promotes without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, political affiliation, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information in its admission and recruitment of students, educational programs, and activities, or employment policies.

Please Note

Applications must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on the Job Closing Date to ensure consideration.

As a State Employee, You Will Earn Competitive Pay, Choose From a Variety Of Benefits, And Have Access To a Great Professional Development Program

Insurance Coverage

More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/

Parental Leave

Up to six weeks paid parental leave

More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx

Holidays and Leave

State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
• Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor

State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.

Retirement

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
• Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others