Journeyman HVAC Technician

Drew University; Fairwoods (NJ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site campus

Stable 40-hour schedule

Rotating on-call

Job summary

Drew University on Madison, New Jersey, seeks a Journeyman HVAC Technician to maintain and improve campus systems, supporting classrooms, residence halls, and offices. You’ll work on chillers, boilers, pumps, and building automation in a single on-site environment, with a stable 40-hour schedule and rotating on-call coverage.

Join a collaborative Facilities team dedicated to safety, reliability, and energy efficiency, where your hands-on expertise makes a daily difference for students, faculty,

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Significant hands-on commercial HVAC experience incl. chillers/boilers/hydronic systems, VFDs, and building automation.
• Valid U.S. driver's license and ability to operate vehicles.
• Strong communication in English and teamwork.
• EPA Universal refrigerant handling certification.
• HVAC degree from a certified trade school or apprenticeship preferred.
• New Jersey Black Seal low-pressure boiler operator license is a plus.
• Within six months, obtain NJ Underground Storage Tank Operator Certification; employer covers course and attempts.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and improve campus HVAC systems.
• Service and replace motors, pumps, bearings, valves, actuators, dampers, transformers, and related components.
• Perform preventive maintenance and inspections to improve reliability.
• Repair ventilation, exhaust, ductwork, and related systems.
• Coordinate with Facilities team and outside contractors; maintain records and work orders.
• Follow OSHA safety procedures, lockout/tagout, and safe material handling.
• Manage parts, materials, supplies, and tools; assist in project work as needed.

Skills

HVAC troubleshooting

Equipment diagnosis

Safety compliance

Communication

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or GED

EPA Universal refrigerant handling certification

HVAC degree or trade-school certification

New Jersey Black Seal low-pressure boiler operator license

NJ Underground Storage Tank Operator Certification (within 6 months)

Tools

Building automation

VFDs

Control systems

Job description

Put Your HVAC Expertise to Work in a Place Where It Matters

Are you an experienced HVAC professional looking for an opportunity to put your skills to work, tackle interesting technical challenges, and enjoy the stability of a consistent work schedule?

Drew University is seeking a skilled Journeyman HVAC Technician to join our Facilities team on our beautiful campus in Madison, New Jersey.

This is an opportunity to work with a diverse range of commercial and residential HVAC equipment, building systems, and controls—all within one campus environment. Rather than traveling from customer to customer, you'll become an important part of the team responsible for keeping our campus buildings comfortable, safe, and operating efficiently.

Your expertise will make a difference every day, supporting the classrooms, offices, residence halls, and other spaces where our students, faculty, and staff learn, work, and live.

What You'll Do

As a Journeyman HVAC Technician, you'll take a hands‑on role in maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, and improving the systems that keep our campus running.

Maintain and Repair HVAC Systems

• Diagnose, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain a wide variety of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
• Service and replace motors, pumps, bearings, valves, actuators, contactors, relays, dampers, transformers, pulleys, and other mechanical components.
• Perform preventive maintenance, inspections, and testing to improve equipment reliability and minimize downtime.
• Maintain ventilation systems, exhaust equipment, grills, and associated ductwork.
• Rebuild pumps and troubleshoot and replace steam traps.

Work with a Variety of Equipment and Technologies

• Troubleshoot and maintain hot water and steam boiler distribution systems, chillers, cooling towers, and related equipment.
• Service, repair, rewire, and calibrate electrical, pneumatic, and digital HVAC controls.
• Diagnose and maintain compressed air and vacuum systems.
• Apply your knowledge of electrical, plumbing, and refrigeration codes and practices to resolve complex building system issues.

Help Keep Our Campus Operating at Its Best

• Collaborate with other skilled tradespeople and Facilities team members to address building maintenance needs.
• Identify needed repairs, estimate time and materials, and coordinate work through completion.
• Maintain accurate work orders, preventive maintenance records, and equipment documentation.
• Research, order, and manage parts, materials, supplies, and tools.
• Coordinate with outside contractors and inspect completed work.
• Follow established workplace safety procedures and OSHA requirements, including lockout/tagout, safe material handling, ladder and aerial lift operation, and hot work permits and fire watch procedures.
• Perform other related duties as needed to support campus operations.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a dependable, knowledgeable HVAC professional who takes pride in quality workmanship, enjoys solving problems, and works well as part of a team.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Significant hands‑on commercial HVAC experience, including diagnosing and repairing chillers, boilers, hydronic systems, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and building automation and control systems
• Valid U.S. driver's license and ability to operate automobiles, vans, light trucks, and utility vehicles.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally in English
• Strong troubleshooting skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to safe, high‑quality work
• EPA Universal refrigerant handling certification
• HVAC degree from a certified trade school or verified completion of or participation in an apprenticeship program preferred
• New Jersey Black Seal low‑pressure boiler operator license is a plus
• Within six months of employment, the successful candidate will be expected to obtain a New Jersey Underground Storage Tank Operator Certification. Drew University will cover the cost of the required course and the first two examination attempts.

Your Schedule

This is a full‑time, 40‑hour‑per‑week, campus‑based position with a regular schedule of: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., including a 30‑minute unpaid lunch break. The position participates in a rotating on‑call and holiday coverage schedule to support essential campus operations.

Why Join Drew University?

At Drew, you'll have the opportunity to apply your technical expertise in an environment that offers something different from a traditional HVAC service position.

• One primary work location: Spend your workdays on our scenic Madison campus rather than traveling between multiple customer sites.
• A predictable regular schedule: Enjoy established weekday hours, with shared responsibility for rotating on‑call and holiday coverage.
• Variety in your work: Work with a broad range of HVAC technologies, mechanical equipment, building automation systems, and facilities.
• A collaborative team: Work alongside other skilled Facilities professionals who share a commitment to maintaining our campus.
• Work with purpose: Play an essential role in creating a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment for the Drew community.

Join Our Team

If you're an experienced HVAC technician who enjoys solving problems, takes pride in doing the job right, and wants to be part of a team that makes a meaningful difference every day, we'd love to hear from you.

Bring your skills and experience to Drew University and help keep our campus running at its best.

About Drew University:

Drew University, a Phi Beta Kappa liberal arts university, includes the College of Liberal Arts, the Drew Theological School and the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies. Drew is located on a beautiful, wooded campus in Madison, New Jersey, a thriving small town close to New York City.

It has a total enrollment of more than 2,200 students and has 136 full‑time faculty members, 96% of whom hold the terminal degree in their field. The Theological and Caspersen schools offer master’s and doctoral degrees, and the College confers BA and BS degrees in 40 disciplines and offers 19 dual‑degree programs.

Drew’s one‑of‑a‑kind, leading edge path to an undergraduate degree, Launch, ensures that every student graduates with a purpose, sought‑after transferable skills, a network of mentors, and an experience‑based résumé—guaranteed. Particularly noteworthy opportunities for undergraduates include the Charles A. Dana Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti (RISE), the Drew Summer Science Institute (DSSI), the Center for Civic Engagement, as well as seven New York City semesters and several international study abroad programs.

The Caspersen School of Graduate Studies offers a wide array of distinctive and flexible advanced degree programs designed to meet the needs of almost any busy schedule. All programs are based on Drew’s renowned commitment to faculty‑student mentorship, opportunities for out‑of‑the‑classroom experiential learning, and facilitating a robust intellectual community.

The Theological School has a distinguished history rooted in the United Methodist Church. Today, it serves many denominations as a center for preparing clergy and leaders for service in the church and the world. Its focus on biblical and theological scholarship and social justice has made it a sought after destination for students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees.

To enrich education through diversity, Drew University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Following federal and state requirements; a candidate must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States if selected for hire.

This position is subject to a background check.