Refrigeration Technician

Tanimura & Antle; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

EmergencyMD is seeking a Refrigeration Technician to support three cooling facilities in Salinas, CA and Yuma, AZ. You will perform preventative maintenance on ammonia refrigeration equipment, monitor systems, and troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, and control issues to ensure safe, efficient operation.

You will work with the Senior Refrigeration Manager, uphold Cal-OSHA/PSM safety standards, and maintain CMMS records while mentoring junior staff and ensuring high-quality workmanship.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 3–5 years of industrial ammonia refrigeration maintenance experience.
• RETA/CIRO certification preferred.
• IIAR training or certifications a plus.
• HAZMAT training and certification required.
• Must meet breathing requirements and fit test for full-face respirator.
• Hands-on experience with cooling processes, ammonia refrigeration, vacuum systems, and condensers.

Responsibilities

• Perform preventative maintenance inspections on refrigeration equipment, motors, hydraulics, and related components.
• Monitor ammonia refrigeration and fire protection equipment, alarms, and related systems.
• Troubleshoot refrigeration, electrical, mechanical, and controls systems to root cause and implement repairs.
• Maintain operational settings (superheat, pressure, defrost cycles) for optimal performance.
• Follow safety procedures under Cal-OSHA and PSM; maintain CMMS records.
• Train and mentor less experienced technicians and review work for quality.

Skills

Industrial refrigeration

Electrical testing

Hydraulics

Troubleshooting

Safety compliance

Education

High school diploma

RETA/CIRO certification

IIAR training

HAZMAT training

Tools

CMMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Role

The Refrigeration Technician works closely with the Senior Refrigeration Manager to maintain all aspects of our refrigeration and cooling operations within our three main cooling facilities. Your primary responsibility is to ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable performance of all refrigeration and cooling equipment at all our facilities. This role will require technical expertise in industrial ammonia refrigeration, electrical, hydraulics, compressed air systems, vacuum systems and other technical disciplines. In this highly visible role, you will be in a high-performing culture where customer service and a passion for driving continuous improvement are critical to achieving superior results.

Location(s)

Salinas, CA; Yuma, AZ

Areas of Responsibility

• Perform preventative maintenance inspections on refrigeration equipment, motors, cooling tubes, hydraulics, and other equipment.
• Monitor and maintain ammonia refrigeration and fire protection equipment, ammonia, and fire alarms.
• Perform pumps out/evacuate refrigerant as necessary for component replacement, repair, or cooling equipment transport.
• Provides in-depth troubleshooting of refrigeration, electrical, mechanical, and controls systems to root cause, recommend corrective action and make repairs.
• Maintain ideal operational settings and parameters for all refrigeration equipment (i.e., superheat, regulators, pressure settings, defrost cycles, etc.).
• Perform both routine and complex maintenance and repairs following lock out tag out, line break, notifications, and other safety procedures in accordance with Cal-OSHA and RMP & PSM programs.
• Maintains accurate preventive and predictive maintenance records within the CMMS System.
• Complete other building maintenance/equipment maintenance tasks as assigned.
• Proactively monitor system performance and take appropriate actions to ensure that the system is operating optimally.
• Performs annual calibrations on key pieces of equipment.
• Shares knowledge, and assists in the training and development of less experienced technicians.
• Inspects and reviews in progress and completed work of internal and external technicians for compliance and quality control.
• Complete daily, monthly, and yearly inspections of the equipment.
• Keeps work area and tools well maintained, clean, organized, etc., and performs housekeeping duties as required.
• Comply and participate in audits of Cal-OSHA PSM, County CUPA, and Federal EPA PSM.

Education & Experience

• A high school diploma or general education degree (GED) is required.
• Minimum three to five (3-5) years of industrial ammonia refrigeration maintenance experience.
• RETA CARO or CIRO certification preferred.
• IIAR Industrial Refrigeration Training or Certifications are a plus.
• Required to successfully complete assigned Industrial Refrigeration and Mechanical-Electrical courses.
• Required to be trained in HAZMAT, and obtain, and maintain the certification.
• Meet breathing requirements of OSHA and fit test for full face vapor respirator.
• Hands‑on experience with cooling processes, ammonia refrigeration, vacuum pumps, refrigeration compressors, condensers, purging, and water treatment.
• Experience with inspecting, troubleshooting, repairing, and moving vacuum tubes is a plus.
• Have mechanical experience with a good mechanical aptitude.
• Proficient use of mechanical & electrical testing equipment.
• Computerized Maintenance Management System experience preferred.
• Basic computer skills required (email, internet searches, basic data entry, etc.)
• Microsoft Office Suite knowledge.
• Mathematical and documentation skills are necessary.
• Ability to work with hands in mechanically oriented situations.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Must be able to work unsupervised.
• Must be able to work flexible shifts, if required, including on call.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Share knowledge, train and develop less experienced technicians.

Ideal Attributes

• Strong communicator with a willingness to share knowledge.
• Detail-oriented and highly organized.
• Drive towards excellence.