Refrigeration Mechanic I (Facilities)

UTHealth Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

UTHealth Houston is seeking a Refrigeration Mechanic I to install, maintain, and repair refrigeration and air conditioning systems across campus facilities, including environmental rooms. The position focuses on preventive maintenance, work order management, and ensuring reliable operation of critical campus infrastructure.

Candidates should have at least 3 years of HVAC/refrigeration experience, a high school diploma or equivalent, and EPA Section 608 certification.

Qualifications

• Minimum Education: High School Diploma or equivalent; apprenticeship/trade school preferred.
• Minimum Experience: 3 years HVAC/refrigeration skilled service experience.
• EPA Section 608 Certification required.

Responsibilities

• Install, repair, maintain refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and CERs.
• Perform inspections, adjustments, and routine maintenance with colleagues.
• Read blueprints and drawings; assist project team with retrofits and new construction.
• Communicate with customers and record work orders in CMMS via PC and mobile apps.
• Respond to calls during normal business hours as a designated essential employee.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Understanding of cryogenic/ultra-low

Basic PC skills

HR management

EPA Section 608

Education

High School Diploma

Trade apprenticeship or trade school

Job description

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.

The Refrigeration Mechanic I p

erforms installation, maintenance, and repair of refrigeration and air conditioning systems, including cooling equipment, refrigerators, freezers, and environmental rooms. Completes preventive maintenance, manages work orders, and supports reliable operation of critical campus facilities.

Once you join us you won't want to leave.

It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue!
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!

We take care of our employees!

As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as...

• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Resources for child and elder care
• Plus many more!

Position Summary:

Provides skilled work in the installation, replacement, adjustment, repair, and routine cleaning necessary to maintain functionally efficient operation of refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

Position Key Accountabilities:

• Independently and as required under the supervision of a senior mechanic, perform installation, repair, maintenance, and service of refrigeration equipment and related components including hot and cold controlled environmental rooms (CERs), food refrigeration equipment, standalone refrigerators and freezers, self-contained or packaged cooling units, split cooling systems, portable spot coolers, water coolers, ice machines, and refrigerated air dryers. Associated equipment may include local controls, air and water cooled condensing, defrost, and hot gas bypass systems.
• Performs and assists other refrigeration mechanics with detailed inspections, adjustments, repair, routine cleaning, installations, replacement, and preventative maintenance.
• Studies and interprets existing equipment and project related blueprints, drawings, and specifications. Attends meetings, and assist supervisor and project management team members with the review of refrigeration drawings for retrofit and new construction projects.
• Required to communicate with customers and complete assigned work orders using the computerized maintenance manager system (CMMS) through personal computer (PC) and smartphone applications.
• Required to carry a university communication device as assigned and respond to calls during normal business hours.
• This job classification is designated as essential at the UT Health Science Center at Houston. In case of an emergency, essential positions are those required to sustain clinical services and/or are responsible for the protection of university assets. Personnel in designated essential positions are expected to report to their designated work site during their appointed work schedules, even when the institution has been officially declared to be on restricted access or closed due to adverse conditions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

• Understanding of cryogenic/ultra-low refrigeration equipment
• Basic PC skills
• Manages Human Resources activities of department in regards to: recruiting and selection, hiring and termination, training, professional development, mentoring, counseling, performance evaluations, and salary planning.
• Section 608 Technician Certification by United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent required Completion of trade related apprenticeship or trade school program preferred

Minimum Experience: 3 years of skilled service experience in the HVAC/refrigeration field including associated electrical and mechanical systems required

Physical Requirements: Exerts up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 50 pounds frequently and/or up to 20 pounds constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

• 51.215 and Texas Government Code
• 411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code
• 117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R.
• 791.4. Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.