Refrigeration HVAC/r Technician or Sr. Technician

Who we are

Why Rensselaer?  Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and the IBM Quantum System One - the first university-based quantum computer in the world. 

With top notch employee health and retirement benefits, Rensselaer offers its full-time employees a generous paid time off program, tuition remission, and opportunities for career growth.

Job Summary

The HVAC/r Technician, Sr. will plan and perform complex and diversified duties for maintenance, repair and installation of refrigeration, air conditioning, chilled water, heating and ventilation systems and associated controls. Participates in on-call rotation in accordance with standard operating procedures.

• Refrigeration Emphasis: The technician will troubleshoot and repair refrigeration systems, including air conditioning and cooling units. This involves addressing issues like leaks, electrical faults, and mechanical problems in these systems to ensure optimal cooling performance.
• Skill Level: Refrigeration work in this role requires foundational knowledge of refrigeration systems and basic troubleshooting skills to restore functionality.

Minimum Qualifications

• H.S. Diploma or Equivalent
• Thorough knowledge of HVAC/r equipment, controls, and operating strategies acquired through a minimum of five (5) years of related and progressively more responsible experience. (This position has an emphasis on refrigeration experience)

OR

• Associate’s Degree in HVAC/r
• Four (4) years of related and progressively responsible experience to include:
  • HVAC and control system installation and maintenance experience
  • EPA Refrigeration Certification to handle EPA Type 1 and 2 or Universal refrigerant within 120 days of hire. (This position has an emphasis on refrigeration experience)

AND

• All candidates must have 
  • Valid US driver’s license required
  • Must have the ability to be medically qualified for respirator use

Applicants must meet stated minimum education and experience requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Centrifugal, reciprocating, screw, and scroll chiller experience
• Experience with building management systems
• NYS 7G Commercial Certification for application of Pesticides to cooling towers 

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated fundamental knowledge of basic refrigeration systems
• Ability to troubleshoot, repair, and tune small boilers, furnaces, heat pumps
• Ability to identify and resolve problems in field
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and diagnose basic electrical circuits
• Ability to read and interpret blue prints, pneumatic prints, digital flow charts, schematic drawings and control diagrams
• Ability to utilize electrical, pneumatic and digital control systems and applications
• Ability to use networked building management systems
• Ability to operate and make basic adjustments to reciprocating and centrifugal chillers
• Ability to maintain control air compressors
• Ability to use hand tools and power tools
• Ability to work on ladders, scaffolding, and lifts
• Excellent customer relation skills
• Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Ability to operate a computer using standard office software and industry specific software

Shift

Business Hours with weekends or evenings occasionally required

Travel

Local travel between campus locations only

Driving

Driving a Rensselaer vehicle for non-passenger use

Starting Salary/Rate

Expected hiring range: 

Hiring range for HVAC/r - min $25 - max $27
Hiring range for Sr. HVAC/r - min $29 - max $35 per hour

To be considered for the Sr. HVAC/r Technician position, an individual must demonstrate advanced knowledge and expertise in HVAC/r systems, including complex repairs, troubleshooting, and maintenance of a wide range of equipment. This includes experience with centrifugal, reciprocating, and screw chillers, as well as the ability to independently evaluate and resolve complex issues. The Sr. Technician should also have a strong proficiency in utilizing building management systems and troubleshooting electrical circuits. Additionally, they must exhibit leadership qualities by supervising and guiding external contractors, ensuring high-quality work, and contributing to continuous improvement in operational efficiency.

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on fa