Refrigeration HVAC/r Technician or Sr. Technician

About the role

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is seeking skilled HVAC/r professionals to join its Facilities Services team. These positions are responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, and installing campus heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems, with an emphasis on refrigeration including air conditioning, chilled water systems, and campus chillers. The level of responsibility depends on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

Two classifications are available: HVAC/r Technician and HVAC/r Technician, Sr. The Technician performs routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs. The Senior Technician independently plans and performs more complex repairs, advanced troubleshooting, and challenging maintenance activities. Both positions participate in an on-call rotation to support campus operations and emergency maintenance needs.

Candidates may be considered for either classification based on education, relevant experience, technical knowledge, demonstrated skills, and overall qualifications. The HVAC/r Technician requires a minimum of three years of related progressively responsible HVAC/r experience or an associate degree in an HVAC/r-related curriculum. The HVAC/r Technician, Sr. requires a minimum of five years of related progressively responsible HVAC/r experience, or an associate degree in an HVAC/r-related curriculum with at least four years of related progressively responsible experience. The final classification and level of appointment will be determined by the department's Hiring Manager based on the candidate's qualifications, demonstrated technical capabilities, and departmental needs. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not automatically determine placement at the Senior level.

Responsibilities

• Install, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair HVAC/r equipment, including refrigeration, comfort cooling, heating, air compression, air filtration, and ventilation systems.
• Diagnose and resolve refrigeration system issues, including refrigerant leaks, electrical faults, mechanical failures, and equipment malfunctions.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot reciprocating, screw, and centrifugal chillers and associated cooling towers.
• Perform preventive maintenance on assigned equipment and assist in developing maintenance procedures.
• Recover, handle, and recharge refrigerants in accordance with EPA regulations and documentation requirements.
• Troubleshoot and repair electrical, pneumatic, and digital control systems.
• Utilize computer-based building management systems to monitor equipment, identify system issues, and make necessary adjustments and repairs.
• Assist with the setup and installation of laboratory equipment and specialized HVAC systems.
• Evaluate contractor work for quality and provide feedback to supervisors.
• Support cooling tower water treatment activities, including testing, chemical monitoring, and maintaining appropriate chemical inventories.
• Maintain accurate work orders documenting labor, materials, equipment identification numbers, and completed repairs.
• Participate in the on-call rotation and respond to campus maintenance emergencies.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• HVAC/r Technician: Minimum of three (3) years of related and progressively responsible HVAC/r experience, or an associate degree in an HVAC/r-related curriculum.
• HVAC/r Technician, Sr.: Minimum of five (5) years of related and progressively responsible HVAC/r experience, or an associate degree in an HVAC/r-related curriculum with at least four (4) years of related and progressively responsible experience.
• EPA Refrigeration Certification to handle EPA Type I and II or Universal refrigerants, or the ability to obtain the required certification within 120 days of hire.
• Valid U.S. driver's license.
• Ability to meet medical requirements for respirator use.
• Relevant combinations of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or technical training in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC/r) or a related field.
• Experience with refrigeration systems, chilled water systems, and cooling towers.
• Experience with centrifugal, reciprocating, screw, and scroll chillers.
• Experience with building automation and management systems.
• Experience with HVAC/r installation, maintenance, and repair in a large institutional, commercial, or campus environment.
• New York State 7G Commercial Certification for pesticide application to cooling towers.

Skills

• Fundamental knowledge of refrigeration systems and HVAC/r equipment.
• Ability to troubleshoot, maintain, and repair heating, refrigeration, air conditioning, and ventilation equipment.
• Ability to identify and resolve mechanical, electrical, and basic control system issues.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematic drawings, pneumatic diagrams, and control diagrams.
• Ability to operate and maintain HVAC/r equipment, including boilers, furnaces, heat pumps, chillers, and air compressors.
• Ability to use hand tools, power tools, and diagnostic equipment.
• Ability to work on ladders, scaffolding, and lifts.
• Ability to utilize computer-based building management systems.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Advanced knowledge of refrigeration systems, HVAC/r equipment, and operating strategies.
• Ability to independently diagnose and resolve complex mechanical, electrical, and refrigeration system problems.
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting and repairing centrifugal, reciprocating, screw, and scroll chillers.
• Proficiency with electrical, pneumatic, and digital control systems.
• Experience with networked building management systems and advanced system diagnostics.
• Knowledge of cooling tower water treatment, chemical monitoring, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Ability to plan and perform complex repairs and provide technical guidance to other technicians.

Schedule

Monday–Friday, regular daytime schedule. Participation in an on-call rotation is required, including availability for emergency response outside normal working hours and on weekends. No regular travel required; work is performed throughout RPI's campus and ancillary facilities. A valid U.S. driver's license is required, and operating an RPI vehicle may be necessary to travel between campus facilities and work locations.

Pay

Starting Salary/Rate: HVAC/r Technician: $24.50–$27.00 per hour. HVAC/r Technician, Sr.: $27.00–$30.00 per hour. Final starting rate and classification will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, demonstrated technical capabilities, and the department's assessment. Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate's salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate's qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer's good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.