Kitchen Hood Service Technician III

M.C. Dean, Inc.; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

M.C. Dean, Inc. in Fairfax, Virginia, is seeking a Kitchen Hood Service Technician III. The role involves inspecting, maintaining, and repairing commercial kitchen hood fire suppression systems. Ideal candidates should have a high school diploma with over 8 years of relevant experience or a technology degree with 6+ years, and must possess strong technical and customer service skills. Applicants must also be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret clearance. This position involves working at various heights and requires physical stamina.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant experience or 2 years of tech degree and 6+ years experience required.
• Experience servicing commercial kitchen hood fire suppression systems.
• Ability to pass background checks and meet site-specific access requirements.

Responsibilities

• Inspect, test, service, and repair kitchen hood fire suppression systems.
• Conduct site surveys and assess system condition.
• Communicate system status and recommendations professionally to customers.

Skills

Strong technical knowledge of kitchen hood fire suppression and exhaust systems

Ability to perform site assessments

Strong customer service skills

Effective verbal and written communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

High School Diploma or technology degree

Job description

About M.C. Dean

M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber‑physical solutions for the nation’s most mission‑critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. With over 7,000 employees, our capabilities span electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers resilient, secure, and innovative power and technology solutions through engineering expertise and smart systems integration.

Why Join Us?

Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful change. Guided by our core values of agility, expertise, and trust we foster a collaborative and forward‑thinking work environment. At M.C. Dean, we are committed to building the next generation of technical leaders in electrical, engineering, and cybersecurity industries.

Kitchen Hood Service Technician III

The Kitchen Hood Service Technician III is responsible for the inspection, testing, maintenance, cleaning, troubleshooting, and repair of commercial kitchen hood fire suppression systems and exhaust components. This role performs site surveys, provides technical recommendations, and supports the training of junior technicians. The position requires strong technical skills, high levels of self-organization, and the ability to work independently while meeting strict safety, code, and customer service requirements.

Clearance / Citizen Type

Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements including U.S. citizenship for access to classified information (ability to obtain and maintain a Top‑Secret clearance required).

Responsibilities

• Inspect, test, service, clean, troubleshoot, and repair kitchen hood fire suppression systems in accordance with applicable codes and standards.
• Perform service on wet chemical kitchen suppression systems, hoods, ducts, exhaust fans, and related components.
• Conduct site surveys and system evaluations to assess system condition, compliance, and service needs.
• Identify deficiencies and provide clear, code‑compliant recommendations to customers and internal teams.
• Plan, schedule, and organize daily work activities to meet service commitments and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate with service coordinators, customers, and internal teams to ensure efficient service delivery.
• Accurately document inspections, deficiencies, repairs, cleanings, and site survey findings.
• Communicate system status, service results, and recommendations professionally to customers.
• Train, mentor, and provide on‑the‑job guidance to junior technicians and apprentices.
• Support quality control by reviewing work performed by junior technicians and ensuring compliance with company and code standards.
• Maintain compliance with NFPA standards, manufacturer requirements, and company procedures.
• Respond to service calls, including urgent and emergency situations, as required.
• Work effectively under pressure while managing multiple job sites and priorities.
• Maintain tools, equipment, and service vehicles in safe and working condition.
• Support continuous improvement of service quality, safety, and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma (required) with 8+ years of relevant experience or 2 years of technology degree and 6+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience servicing commercial kitchen hood fire suppression systems.
• Knowledge of applicable NFPA standards, including NFPA 96 and NFPA 17A.
• Manufacturer training and authorization for kitchen hood suppression systems.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to pass background checks and meet site‑specific access requirements.
• This position has been identified as requiring an additional client background check.

Certification

• Possess NICET Level II Certification in Special Hazards Fire Suppression Systems or
• Pass NICET Level II Certification in Special Hazards Fire Suppression Systems exam within 90 days of employment.
• NICET Level III Certification in Special Hazards Fire Suppression Systems (Preferred).

Required Skills And Competencies

• Strong technical knowledge of kitchen hood fire suppression and exhaust systems.
• Ability to perform site assessments and develop practical, code‑compliant recommendations.
• High level of self‑organization and ability to work independently.
• Strong planning, time management, and multitasking skills.
• Ability to work under stress and in time‑sensitive environments.
• Strong customer service skills with a professional, solution‑oriented approach.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail with a strong focus on documentation and compliance.
• Ability to train, mentor, and support junior technicians.

Preferred Qualifications

• Manufacturer certifications for kitchen hood suppression systems.
• Prior experience performing hood and duct cleaning services.
• Experience training or mentoring technicians.
• Familiarity with local AHJ requirements and inspection processes.

Working Conditions

• Field‑based role with work performed at commercial kitchen and restaurant sites.
• Work may involve overnight shifts, early mornings, weekends, and on‑call rotation.
• Work involves physical labor, lifting, confined spaces, greasy environments, and exposure to heat and cleaning chemicals.

Abilities

• The position requires the ability to lift, carry, and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds on a regular basis. Candidates must demonstrate physical strength and stamina to perform various tasks, including but not limited to, loading, unloading, operating equipment, and assisting in the transportation of various materials. Proper lifting techniques and safety protocols must be followed to ensure personal and team safety.
• Relocate a 12‑foot stepladder without assistance.
• Work at various heights up to 60 feet and can climb and maintain balance on scaffolds, aerial lifts, catwalks and all types of ladders.
• Walk, climb, lift, squat, crawl, kneel, push, pull and reach overhead on a routine and repetitive basis.
• Possess good vision (may be corrected vision), the ability to see in color, and the ability to hear and communicate in English.
• May use a standard ladder without exceeding the weight limit while carrying tools.
• Identify when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, applying general rules to specific problems to produce sensible answers.
• Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions, including finding relationships among seemingly unrelated events.
• See details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.