HVAC Mechanic - Refrigeration​/Ice Machine

Department Overview

The Research and Administrative Facilities (RAF) department manages the operations and maintenance of research and administrative buildings, including both the Bastrop and Smithville campuses. The RAF team also includes parking and transportation, audio visual and event operations, and exterior site operations, all of which support all the Houston campuses and properties.

The ideal candidate will be hands‑on, a problem solver, and a subject‑matter expert responsible for critical systems, including a solid understanding of central plant operations.

Desired refrigeration/ice machine experience: 2 years in a commercial setting or 3 years in a residential setting. Ability to troubleshoot walk‑in coolers/freezers.

Salary range: $69,000 – $86,000 – $103,000.

Work schedule:

Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM; 30‑minute lunch.

• Employer‑paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for Paid Time Off (PTO) and Extended Illness Bank (EIB), plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined‑benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer‑paid life and reduced salary protection programs.

The primary purpose of the HVAC Mechanic position is to maintain heating, ventilating, air‑conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) systems. This position impacts the HVAC/R systems through maintenance and service.

• Installs, maintains and repairs HVAC systems; makes initial settings and final adjustments of commercial HVAC systems and modifies existing installations to obtain required results.
• Monitors and troubleshoots HVAC issues through BAS systems and/or other diagnostic tools.
• Follows schedule of preventive maintenance and makes recommendations regarding major overhaul of systems.
• Investigates outages; may order materials and maintain inventory.
• Interprets and works from blueprints, sketches and diagrams; estimates cost of work.
• Completes work order and asset documentation according to CMMS standards.
• Provides accurate information on labor hours & material used, notes any additional required work, and/or asset information.
• Performs preventative maintenance on HVAC equipment according to manufacturer’s specifications and CMMS‑directed work.
• Installs, maintains and repairs variety of HVAC work incidental to the installation and repair of heating, ventilating, air‑conditioning, refrigeration (HVAC/R) systems and related BAS systems.
• Investigates outages and supports or performs other work as necessary in managing the workload.
• May be expected to be part of an on‑call group, available and able to respond in accordance with policy; not considered on‑call during periods of alert when emergency conditions may be expected.
• Position is considered “essential personnel” in the event of suspension of normal operations due to inclement weather or other emergencies; required to perform duties outlined in the Emergency Management Plans.
• Other incidental or related duties as required.

• Required:
  
  High School Diploma or Equivalent.
• Preferred:
  Associate’s Degree in Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Engineering or Technology, or Mechanical Engineering.
• Preferred:
  Bachelor’s Degree in Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Engineering or Technology, or Mechanical Engineering.

• Required:
  
  Four years experience in a mechanical field to include commercial installation, repair and maintenance of HVAC, refrigeration, control systems or other mechanical environments.
• Required:
  
  Three years experience with a preferred Associate’s degree, as referenced by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR).
• Required:
  
  Two years experience with a preferred Bachelor’s degree, as referenced by the TDLR.
• Preferred:
  Refrigeration/Ice Machine experience (2 years) in a commercial or (3 years) residential experience; ability to troubleshoot walk‑in…