Jobs and Careers

HVAC & Refrigeration Specialist

United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 18 Aug 2026

About the role

Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As an HVAC & Refrigerator Specialist, you'll play an essential role in maintaining the safe, comfortable, and efficient environments that support Duke's world-class education, research, and healthcare missions. You'll be part of a collaborative facilities team dedicated to delivering exceptional service while supporting a diverse and inclusive campus community.

Minimum Requirements

Education

High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Valid North Carolina driver's license.
Valid EPA/CFC Refrigerant Certification.

Experience

Six (6) years of progressively responsible HVAC experience.

Be Bold.

Bring your technical expertise and commitment to excellence to a role where your work directly impacts thousands of students, faculty, staff, patients, and visitors every day. In this position, you'll troubleshoot, maintain, repair, and optimize a wide range of HVAC and refrigeration systems while contributing to operational excellence and energy efficiency initiatives across Duke facilities.

What You'll Do

HVAC System Maintenance & Repair

Perform preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and installation activities on HVAC and refrigeration equipment, including air conditioning units, water coolers, heat pumps, split systems, mixing boxes, chillers, air handlers, refrigeration units, freezers, coolers, and ice machines.
Diagnose equipment issues using blueprints, wiring diagrams, ladder diagrams, schematics, gauges, multimeters, and automated control systems.
Replace, repair, align, and install motors, bearings, couplings, sheaves, belts, pumps, starters, compressors, condensers, valves, and related mechanical components.
Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair pneumatic systems, electronic controls, line voltage controls, terminal controllers, and building automation systems.
Perform refrigerant recovery, charging, leak diagnosis, and documentation in accordance with Duke standards and federal regulations.
Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair water-side and air-side systems through performance analysis and system optimization.
Analyze HVAC system performance using psychrometrics and other diagnostic tools.

Preventive Maintenance & Operations

Conduct scheduled preventive maintenance on air-side and water-side equipment, including air handling units (AHUs), supply fans, exhaust fans, cooling towers, coils, pumps, and related components.
Monitor, record, and evaluate temperature, pressure, airflow, and equipment performance data.
Properly start and stop HVAC systems to support maintenance and operational activities.
Test and treat condenser and chilled water systems, adjusting chemical concentrations as required.
Support building automation systems by reviewing system performance and implementing approved operational adjustments.

Filter Management & Indoor Air Quality

Install, maintain, inspect, store, transfer, and properly dispose of various HVAC filtration systems.
Maintain filter housing areas and support inventory management activities.
Utilize magnehelic gauges and related tools to evaluate filter efficiency and system performance.
Follow established safety and environmental protocols related to filter handling and disposal.

Technical Installation & Construction Support

Install prefabricated ductwork and electrical wiring associated with HVAC systems.
Assemble and install structural and functional HVAC components using appropriate fastening, brazing, soldering, and piping techniques.
Support renovation and construction projects by interpreting plans, identifying system requirements, and assisting with equipment installation activities.

Safety, Documentation & Team Collaboration

Maintain accurate service reports, preventive maintenance records, inventory documentation, refrigerant logs, and other operational records.
Follow all Duke safety procedures, including lockout/tagout requirements, OSHA standards, hazardous materials protocols, and personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines.
Assist senior