HVAC Technician

City of Boston; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Boston is seeking a Maintenance Mechanic (HVAC Technician) to maintain heating, cooling, and related building systems across Boston Fire Department facilities. This role involves on-site leadership, troubleshooting complex issues, and coordinating with facilities staff and vendors to ensure safe, reliable operation.

Ideal candidates will have at least four years of HVAC experience, a MA driver’s license, blueprints literacy, and the ability to lift 50 pounds.

Qualifications

• Minimum four years of full-time HVAC-related experience.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Massachusetts driver's license required.
• Ability to lift at least 50 pounds and climb a 6-foot ladder.
• Reads and understands engineering blueprints for HVAC repairs.

Responsibilities

• Act as the senior on-site maintenance technician when assigned to buildings outside of Boston Fire Headquarters.
• Respond to work orders and troubleshoot heating, cooling, and other building systems issues.
• Direct Maintenance Mechanics in performing duties.
• Collaborate with Facilities Maintenance Management and outside vendors to ensure safe operation of building systems.
• Perform preventive maintenance and repairs on HVAC and related systems; inspect and repair pipes and boiler systems.
• Procure spare parts and complete necessary documentation.
• Study plans, drawings, and work orders to determine work requirements and sequence of repair/installation.
• Maintain updated records of work performed, parts used, and time allocated.

Skills

HVAC troubleshooting

Blueprint reading

Electrical knowledge

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Physically capable

Job description

Overview

Under the direction of the Buildings Systems Engineer, the Maintenance Mechanic (HVAC Technician) will perform a variety of complex and technical work to maintain building systems for all Boston Fire Department buildings, including heating and cooling, and provide front-line troubleshooting of issues as they arise.

Responsibilities

• Acts as the senior on-site maintenance technician when assigned to buildings outside of Boston Fire Headquarters, responsible for tracking and reporting building issues through the work order system and to the Facilities Maintenance Management.
• Responds to work orders, troubleshoots issues with heating and cooling equipment along with other building systems issues such as power outages, elevator entrapments, leaks, fire alarm, sprinkler, or life-safety system issues, or property damage, and notifies other staff or vendors as necessary to resolve issues.
• Directs Maintenance Mechanics (Building Systems) in performing the above duties.
• Works with Facilities Maintenance Management staff, along with outside vendors and trades, to ensure the safe and smooth operation of all building systems and to maintain building integrity.
• Performs preventive maintenance and repairs on HVAC and other systems; installs, relocates, tests, and expands existing systems; monitors, inspects, tests, and repairs pipes and boiler systems.
• Troubleshoots and repairs heating and cooling systems using the right tools and according to the manufacturer's repair manuals while complying with all safety regulations for repairing systems.
• Procures spare parts for replacement and completes necessary documentation.
• Studies plans, drawings, specifications, and work orders to determine work requirements and sequence of repair and/or installations.
• Keeps updated records of work performed, completion dates, parts used, and time allocated to work performed, utilizing the department-provided resources.
• Uses systems used to control HVAC devices like remote controls, handsets, and laptop computers. Follows standardized operating procedures and local and state guidelines relating to the safe operation of HVAC and other systems.
• Reads and understands engineering blueprints for the repair of HVAC and related appliances.
• Effectively operates cooling and air conditioning, including heat-exchanging compressors, thermostats, motor fans, ducting, and electrical controls.
• Works on electrical and compression devices. Effectively troubleshoots and diagnoses air conditioning appliances and detects technical defects, malfunctions, and other faults.
• Demonstrates knowledge of principles of electricity and mechanical processes of HVAC systems.
• Demonstrates adequate knowledge of electro-mechanical systems.
• Demonstrates knowledge of mechanical functions like welding, soldering, fabrication, and brazing.
• Demonstrates good analytical thinking and communication skills.
• Works in small spaces requiring bending and/or crawling.
• Physical ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds and maneuver a minimum 6-foot ladder.
• Performs related work as required.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications

• Must have at least four (4) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, paid experience as an HVAC Technician, Stationary Engineer, Operating Engineer, Steam Fireman, or in a related field, such as pipe fitter, steamfitter, plumber, electrician, sprinkler fitter, facilities manager, engineer, gas fitter, or refrigeration technician.
• Must have the ability to complete required responsibilities under minimal supervision or while working a shift alone.
• Must have and maintain a current Massachusetts driver's license.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.
• Works in small spaces requiring bending and/or crawling.
• Physical ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds and maneuver a minimum 6-foot ladder.
• Reads and understands engineering blueprints for the repair of HVAC and related appliances.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Mass. Licensed Refrigeration Technician ("HVAC")

Preferred Entrance Qualifications

Progress toward or possession of one or more of the following is preferred:

• Mass. Licensed 2nd or 3rd Stationary or Operating Engineer
• Mass. Steam Fireman
• Mass. Licensed Pipe-fitter or Steamfitter
• Mass. Licensed Plumber or Gasfitter
• Mass. Licensed Sprinkler fitter

Boston Residency Is Required Upon Appointment

CORI & SORI check required

Terms

Pre-Employment Drug Test required

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: AFSCME/RA1-17A

Hours per week: 40

Please refer to the Salary Information section on the Boston Career Center site for more information on compensation. For each Salary Plan, salaries are listed by Grade and Step.

The City of Boston is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite applications from all qualified individuals and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected category.