HVAC & Refrigeration Specialist

About the Role

As an HVAC & Refrigerator Specialist at Duke, 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. Your work will directly impact thousands of students, faculty, staff, patients, and visitors every day.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 mechanics with maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, and special projects.
• Participate in on-call and standby assignments in accordance with applicable labor agreements.
• Utilize computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and other software applications to document work and manage system information.
• Support team operations through collaboration, communication, and customer-focused service delivery.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Valid North Carolina driver's license.
• Valid EPA/CFC Refrigerant Certification.
• Six (6) years of progressively responsible HVAC experience.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, wiring diagrams, technical manuals, and maintenance procedures.
• Experience troubleshooting HVAC and refrigeration equipment, including DX systems, chillers, pumps, air handlers, compressors, VAV systems, and pneumatic controls.
• Understanding of electrical principles, HVAC system operation, airflow fundamentals, refrigeration cycles, and energy efficiency concepts.
• Proficiency in brazing, soldering, equipment alignment, component replacement, and mechanical repairs.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to workplace safety, regulatory compliance, and exceptional customer service.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of HVAC, refrigeration, pneumatic, electrical, mechanical, and automated control systems.
• Ability to use diagnostic equipment, including multimeters, gauges, airflow measurement devices, and building automation systems.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and work effectively with technology systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience maintaining and repairing centrifugal and screw chillers.
• Experience with building-level controls and energy management systems.
• Experience reviewing HVAC designs, blueprints, and renovation projects.
• Experience troubleshooting fume hoods, research HVAC systems, and advanced electronic controls.
• Experience conducting site surveys and providing technical recommendations for construction and renovation projects.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, and work in mechanical spaces.
• Regularly lift up to 10 pounds, frequently lift up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift up to 100 pounds.
• Work in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments while performing skilled maintenance and repair activities.

Why Duke?

At Duke, you'll join a team that values innovation, collaboration, continuous learning, and service excellence. You'll have opportunities to expand your technical expertise while contributing to facilities that support groundbreaking research, exceptional patient care, and transformative education. Your work matters, your growth is supported, and your contributions help power one of the nation's leading academic and healthcare institutions.