SCHOOL NUTRITION TECHNICIAN LEAD-EQUIPMENT MECHANIC

Young World Physical Education; Odessa (TX); On-site; USD 41,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Ector County Independent School District School Nutrition Department seeks a School Nutrition Technician Lead-Equipment Mechanic to oversee walk-in coolers and freezers, inspect, diagnose, and repair refrigeration and related kitchen equipment across district campuses.

The role reports to the School Nutrition Coordinator, requires current HVAC cert, high school diploma, and 1–2 years HVAC/refrigeration experience; wage is $29.65 to $41.37 per hour, with on-call duties and safety compliance.

Qualifications

• Education/Certification: Current HVAC certification required.
• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Refrigeration/HVAC training and knowledge of commercial refrigeration systems.
• 1–2 years of experience troubleshooting and repairing HVAC, refrigeration, electrical, and/or electronic control systems.
• 1–2 years of experience installing and servicing commercial food service equipment preferred.
• Valid Texas Driver’s License – Class C.
• Ability to obtain forklift certification.
• Working towards Texas Association of School Nutrition Level V Certification.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary School Nutrition technician responsible for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers at all district campuses and facilities.
• Inspect, diagnose, troubleshoot, maintain, and coordinate repairs of walk-in cooler and freezer systems.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive preventative maintenance program for district walk-in refrigeration equipment.
• Respond promptly to refrigeration failures and temperature-related emergencies to minimize food loss and disruption to meal service.
• Monitor recurring refrigeration issues and recommend repair, replacement, or equipment improvement.
• Maintain service records for walk-in coolers, freezers, refrigeration systems, and other equipment.
• Ensure safe work practices and compliance with manufacturer specifications.
• Supervise, instruct, and train other School Nutrition equipment technicians.
• Assist with troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, and installation of commercial kitchen equipment as needed.
• Install, maintain, and monitor new equipment projects.
• Coordinate with district Maintenance and outside service providers when needed.
• Participate in on-call response for emergencies.
• Communicate effectively with School Nutrition staff, district departments, vendors, and service providers.
• Work independently and collaboratively across multiple campuses and projects.

Skills

HVAC troubleshooting

Walk-in refrigeration

Electrical/electronic control

Team supervision

Safety compliance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Current HVAC certification

Refrigeration/HVAC training

Texas Driver's License – Class C

Forklift certification

Texas TASCN Level V Certification (in progress)

Job description

SCHOOL NUTRITION TECHNICIAN LEAD-EQUIPMENT MECHANIC

Ector County Independent School District SCHOOL NUTRITION - ODESSA, Texas Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Ector County ISD

Job Details

• Job ID: 5888851
• Application Deadline: Jun 30, 2027 11:59 PM (Central Standard Time)
• Posted: Aug 17, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)
• Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Job Title: School Nutrition Technician Lead-Equipment Mechanic Wage/Hour Status: Hourly

Reports to: School Nutrition Coordinator Pay Grade: 10

Dept./School: School Nutrition Date Revised: 8/17/26

Primary Purpose:

Serve as the lead technician for the School Nutrition Department with primary responsibility for the inspection, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and reliable operation of walk-in coolers, walk-in freezers, and related refrigeration systems at all district campuses and School Nutrition facilities. Provide technical leadership and support for the maintenance and repair of commercial kitchen equipment to ensure School Nutrition operations remain safe, efficient, and uninterrupted.

Qualifications

• Education/Certification:
• Current HVAC certification required.
• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Refrigeration/HVAC training and demonstrated knowledge of commercial refrigeration systems.
• 1-2 years of experience troubleshooting and repairing HVAC, refrigeration, electrical, and/or electronic control systems.
• 1-2 years of experience installing and servicing commercial food service equipment preferred.
• Valid and current Texas Driver’s License – Class C
• Ability to obtain a forklift certification.
• Working towards Texas Association of School Nutrition Level V Certification.

Major Responsibilities and Duties

• Serve as the primary School Nutrition technician responsible for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers at all district campuses and facilities.
• Inspect, diagnose, troubleshoot, maintain, and coordinate repairs of walk-in cooler and freezer systems to ensure safe and reliable operation.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive preventative maintenance program for district walk-in refrigeration equipment, including routine inspections and documentation of equipment condition.
• Respond promptly to refrigeration failures and temperature-related emergencies to minimize food loss and disruption to meal service.
• Monitor recurring refrigeration issues and recommend repair, replacement, or equipment improvement when appropriate.
• Maintain accurate service records for walk-in coolers, freezers, refrigeration systems, and other assigned equipment.
• Ensure refrigeration and HVAC-related work is performed safely and in accordance with applicable requirements and manufacturer specifications.
• Supervise, instruct, and train other School Nutrition equipment technicians, including providing technical guidance on refrigeration and equipment repairs.
• Assist with troubleshooting, preventative maintenance, repair, and installation of commercial kitchen equipment as needed.
• Install, maintain, and monitor new equipment projects.
• Manage and coordinate the preventative maintenance schedule for School Nutrition kitchen equipment.
• Conduct a bi-annual inventory of kitchen equipment.
• Maintain maintenance records and prepare reports regarding equipment condition, repairs, preventative maintenance, and completed work.
• Maintain appropriate parts, tools, and materials in the warehouse and assigned service vehicle necessary to support refrigeration and kitchen equipment repairs.
• Maintain an inventory of critical refrigeration parts and supplies to minimize equipment downtime.
• Coordinate with the district Maintenance Department and outside service providers when repairs require additional support or specialized services.
• Prioritize and complete work requests based on operational urgency, food safety risk, equipment condition, and impact on meal service.
• Participate in on-call response for emergency School Nutrition refrigeration, kitchen, and equipment needs.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with School Nutrition staff, district departments, vendors, and service providers.
• Work independently and collaboratively while managing multiple campuses, projects, work orders, and deadlines.
• Demonstrate safe work practices and respond appropriately to emergency situations.
• Maintain technical knowledge and skills necessary to work with changing refrigeration, HVAC, electrical, electronic control, and commercial kitchen equipment technologies.
• Maintain high standards of personal hygiene, appearance, and grooming.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor

Working Conditions

• Mental Conditions/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
• Maintain emotional control under stress. Frequent standing, walking, pushing, and pulling;
• moderate lifting and carrying; some stooping, bending, and kneeling; frequent exposure to extreme
• hot and cold temperatures. Must be able to lift 25-5o pounds without restriction. The School Nutrition Warehouse is a cold storage facility with temperatures ranging from -19 to 70 degrees.
• The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required. I have read, understand, and attest to the above description and funding relating to my daily activities.

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $29.65 to $41.37 Per Hour

Job Categories: Support Staff > Food Service

Job Requirements

• At least 1 year(s) of relevant experience preferred.
• High School/Trade School degree preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Jieun Pando, Director of School Nutritionial Operations
• SCHOOL NUTRITION
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]