HVAC & Refrigeration Specialist

Duke Clinical Research Institute; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Clinical Research Institute in Durham, NC is seeking an HVAC & Refrigerator Specialist to maintain and optimize climate control across Duke facilities. You'll diagnose, repair, and install a broad range of HVAC and refrigeration systems, ensuring safety and energy efficiency.

The role requires a high school diploma, NC driver's license, EPA/CFC refrigerant certification, and at least six years of experience.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid North Carolina driver's license
• Valid EPA/CFC Refrigerant Certification
• Six (6) years of progressively responsible HVAC experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and installation activities on HVAC and refrigeration equipment, including air conditioning units, water coolers, heat pumps, split systems, mixing boxes, chillers, air handlers, refrigeration units, freezers, coolers, and ice machines.
• Diagnose equipment issues using blueprints, wiring diagrams, ladder diagrams, schematics, gauges, multimeters, and automated control systems.
• Replace, repair, align, and install motors, bearings, couplings, sheaves, belts, pumps, starters, compressors, condensers, valves, and related mechanical components.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair pneumatic systems, electronic controls, line voltage controls, terminal controllers, and building automation systems.
• Perform refrigerant recovery, charging, leak diagnosis, and documentation in accordance with Duke standards and federal regulations.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair water-side and air-side systems through performance analysis and system optimization.

Skills

HVAC&R systems

Troubleshooting

Blueprints & schematics

Building automation

Electrical fundamentals

Safety compliance

Documentation

Education

High school diploma

Driver's license

EPA/CFC refrigerant certification

Job description

Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As an HVAC & Refrigerator Specialist, you'll play an essential role in maintaining the safe, comfortable, and efficient environments that support Duke's world-class education, research, and healthcare missions. You'll be part of a collaborative facilities team dedicated to delivering exceptional service while supporting a diverse and inclusive campus community.

Minimum Requirements

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Valid North Carolina driver's license.
• Valid EPA/CFC Refrigerant Certification.

Experience

• Six (6) years of progressively responsible HVAC experience.

Be Bold.

Bring your technical expertise and commitment to excellence to a role where your work directly impacts thousands of students, faculty, staff, patients, and visitors every day. In this position, you'll troubleshoot, maintain, repair, and optimize a wide range of HVAC and refrigeration systems while contributing to operational excellence and energy efficiency initiatives across Duke facilities.

What You'll Do

HVAC System Maintenance & Repair

• Perform preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and installation activities on HVAC and refrigeration equipment, including air conditioning units, water coolers, heat pumps, split systems, mixing boxes, chillers, air handlers, refrigeration units, freezers, coolers, and ice machines.
• Diagnose equipment issues using blueprints, wiring diagrams, ladder diagrams, schematics, gauges, multimeters, and automated control systems.
• Replace, repair, align, and install motors, bearings, couplings, sheaves, belts, pumps, starters, compressors, condensers, valves, and related mechanical components.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair pneumatic systems, electronic controls, line voltage controls, terminal controllers, and building automation systems.
• Perform refrigerant recovery, charging, leak diagnosis, and documentation in accordance with Duke standards and federal regulations.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair water-side and air-side systems through performance analysis and system optimization.
• Analyze HVAC system performance using psychrometrics and other diagnostic tools.

Preventive Maintenance & Operations

• Conduct scheduled preventive maintenance on air-side and water-side equipment, including air handling units (AHUs), supply fans, exhaust fans, cooling towers, coils, pumps, and related components.
• Monitor, record, and evaluate temperature, pressure, airflow, and equipment performance data.
• Properly start and stop HVAC systems to support maintenance and operational activities.
• Test and treat condenser and chilled water systems, adjusting chemical concentrations as required.
• Support building automation systems by reviewing system performance and implementing approved operational adjustments.

Filter Management & Indoor Air Quality

• Install, maintain, inspect, store, transfer, and properly dispose of various HVAC filtration systems.
• Maintain filter housing areas and support inventory management activities.
• Utilize magnehelic gauges and related tools to evaluate filter efficiency and system performance.
• Follow established safety and environmental protocols related to filter handling and disposal.

Technical Installation & Construction Support

• Install prefabricated ductwork and electrical wiring associated with HVAC systems.
• Assemble and install structural and functional HVAC components using appropriate fastening, brazing, soldering, and piping techniques.
• Support renovation and construction projects by interpreting plans, identifying system requirements, and assisting with equipment installation activities.

Safety, Documentation & Team Collaboration

• Maintain accurate service reports, preventive maintenance records, inventory documentation, refrigerant logs, and other operational records.
• Follow all Duke safety procedures, including lockout/tagout requirements, OSHA standards, hazardous materials protocols, and personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines.
• Assist senior mechanics with maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, and special projects.
• Participate in on-call and standby assignments in accordance with applicable labor agreements.
• Utilize computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and other software applications to document work and manage system information.
• Support team operations through collaboration, communication, and customer-focused service delivery.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, and work in mechanical spaces.
• Regularly lift up to 10 pounds, frequently lift up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift up to 100 pounds.
• Work in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments while performing skilled maintenance and repair activities.

What You'll Bring

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of HVAC, refrigeration, pneumatic, electrical, mechanical, and automated control systems.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, wiring diagrams, technical manuals, and maintenance procedures.
• Experience troubleshooting HVAC and refrigeration equipment, including DX systems, chillers, pumps, air handlers, compressors, VAV systems, and pneumatic controls.
• Understanding of electrical principles, HVAC system operation, airflow fundamentals, refrigeration cycles, and energy efficiency concepts.
• Ability to use diagnostic equipment, including multimeters, gauges, airflow measurement devices, and building automation systems.
• Proficiency in brazing, soldering, equipment alignment, component replacement, and mechanical repairs.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and work effectively with technology systems.
• Commitment to workplace safety, regulatory compliance, and exceptional customer service.

Preferred for Future Growth

Experience or demonstrated ability in:

• Maintaining and repairing centrifugal and screw chillers.
• Building-level controls and energy management systems.
• Reviewing HVAC designs, blueprints, and renovation projects.
• Troubleshooting fume hoods, research HVAC systems, and advanced electronic controls.
• Conducting site surveys and providing technical recommendations for construction and renovation projects.

Why Duke?

At Duke, you’ll join a team that values innovation, collaboration, continuous learning, and service excellence. You’ll have opportunities to expand your technical expertise while contributing to facilities that support groundbreaking research, exceptional patient care, and transformative education.

Choose Duke.

Join a team where your expertise keeps critical environments operating safely and efficiently. At Duke, your work matters, your growth is supported, and your contributions help power one of the nation’s leading academic and healthcare institutions.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Work requires an educational background normally equivalent toa high school education, and training in CFC certification required.

Experience

Work requires the ability to troubleshoot, maintain and repair building, water, and air side systems through performance analysis, use and maintain information in computer software programs including F A C, troubleshoot, maintain and repair Tec's and Terminal level controllers, check readings and make changes to waterside chemical systems, analyze and correct deficiencies in operation of pneumatic and electrical systems, analyze system operation through psychometrics, braze, read blueprints and diagnose electrical schematics, generally acquired through 6 years of experience in the HVACR field OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.