DSHS FTAA Heating, Ventilation Air Technician

Reliable heating, cooling, and building systems are essential to keeping a large hospital campus operating safely.

Join the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Finance, Technology, and Analytics Administration, Maintenance and Operations Division (MOD) as a Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning Technician supporting the Western State Hospital campus in Lakewood, Washington. You'll perform journey-level HVAC work across approximately 1.5 million square feet of hospital facilities. From HVAC and steam distribution to gas-fired equipment and building automation, you'll help maintain the systems the campus depends on everyday.

We encourage you to apply if you're an experienced HVAC, refrigeration, or steamfitter professional who likes figuring out why something isn't working—and knows how to get it working again. This role gives you the opportunity to apply your trade across multiple buildings, equipment types, and control systems rather than working on the same systems day after day.

You’ll likely thrive here if you’re a practical problem‑solver who can move between mechanical equipment and electrical, electronic, and pneumatic controls. Your experience will matter, but so will your willingness to learn a large, complex campus and become someone the team can depend on to diagnose problems, make sound repairs, and keep critical building systems operating reliably.

Your first 90 days will focus on learning the campus, its equipment, building automation systems, and maintenance procedures. You’ll build familiarity with the systems you’ll support while beginning to diagnose problems, complete repairs, and contribute to preventive and corrective maintenance.

If you’re looking for a role where your HVAC expertise supports the day‑to‑day operation of an entire hospital campus, take a closer look at what you’ll be doing.

• Diagnose, repair, and maintain HVAC and computerized control systems serving buildings across the approximately 1.5‑million‑square‑foot Western State Hospital campus.
• Install, inspect, repair, and maintain electrical, electronic, and pneumatic control systems, sensors, and actuators.
• Monitor and adjust building heating and air conditioning using automated building monitoring and control systems.
• Repair pneumatic, electric, and electronic, temperature and humidity controls.
• Maintain and repair equipment supporting hospital laundry and kitchen operations.
• Disassemble valves and equipment, replace worn components, reassemble equipment, and test for proper operation.
• Transport tools and supplies using assigned equipment.

• Completion of a recognized apprenticeship in HVAC, refrigeration, or the steamfitter trades.

OR

• Full journey‑level status in the Plumbers and Pipe fitters Union.

OR

• Five years of applicable experience in the HVAC, refrigeration, or steamfitter trades, or a combination of these trades.

Note:

Vocational or trade school training as an HVAC technician, steamfitter, or refrigeration mechanic may substitute year‑for‑year for up to two years of the required work experience.

Also required:

• EPA/CFC certification card.

Desired:

• Computer skills.
• Knowledge of HVAC trade hazards and safety practices.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and update blueprints.
• Experience using arc and gas welding equipment.
• An active EL06A license.

This position is located at the Western State Hospital campus in Lakewood, Washington. Positions performing onsite work at this location at least three days per week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary. Pierce County employees are also eligible to receive an ORCA card for transportation needs.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS)…