Lead HVAC Mechanic

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead HVAC Mechanic (HVAC Mechanic III) at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) performs advanced (senior level) work in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) building maintenance and construction at a State Supported Living Center or State Hospital. This role is crucial for maintaining safe and uninterrupted heating and air conditioning services to facility operations and utility systems, adhering to Texas Administrative Code (T.A.C.) and life safety code standards. The Lead HVAC Mechanic collaborates with the maintenance supervisor on long-term HVAC maintenance and renovation projects. Responsibilities include performing, scheduling, and overseeing the installation, adjustments, alterations, inspections, maintenance, repairs, and restorations of various systems such as chilled water systems, direct exchange systems, refrigerated systems, heating systems (including boilers/steam systems), and automated controls. The position also involves working on refrigeration units like ice machines, walk-in freezer vaults, and residential refrigerators, as well as water-based heating and cooling systems like chillers and boilers. A key aspect of this role is assigning, scheduling, and prioritizing the work of other staff, maintaining accurate records, serving as a team lead, and training others in HVAC work and equipment use. The HHSC is committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of Texans, serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or have behavioral problems.

Requirements

Ability to communicate effectively orally, and/or in writing, using electronic equipment, with other members of the maintenance team and/or other employees.
Must be able to meet facility driver requirements.
Ability to perform basic mathematical computations.
Ability to perform labor-intensive work, with most of the workday spent standing, bending, walking, lifting and carrying 50-100 pounds, and reaching overhead, and/or working in cramped spaces such as in ceilings.
Ability to work in hot and/or cold conditions.
Ability to work harmoniously and productively with co-workers and residents.
Ability to lead the work of others and ability to teach/train others to safely use HVAC equipment and tools.
Must possess valid Texas driver’s license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date.
Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 608 Technician Certification, Universal certification required.
Experience in HVAC work.
At least twelve (12) months of work experience as an HVAC mechanic or technician.
Experience in commercial HVAC system, including diagnosing malfunctions, installations, and repairs.
Experience using HVAC tools and equipment.
Experience working from blueprints or sketches.
Experience maintaining proper ventilation and air conditioning levels.
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
All State Supported Living Center employees are subject to Random drug testing.
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

Nice To Haves

Ability to speak and read English is preferred.
Ability to teach others basic HVAC skills commensurate with ability.
R410A certification preferred, must get within 6 months of hire (at state expense).
Any North American Technician Excellence (NATE) or HVAC Excellence certifications are preferred.
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician license or Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor license is preferred.
HVAC Contractor License preferred.
Graduation from a standard senior high school or equivalent, supplemented by vocational or special training in the HVAC trade, is generally preferred.
Associate degree program in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration, preferred.
Experience as a shift or team lead is preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintain safe and uninterrupted heating and air conditioning services to facility operations and utility systems in accordance with Texas Administrative Code (T.A.C.) and life safety code standards.
Collaborate with maintenance supervisor on long-term HVAC maintenance and renovation projects.
Perform, schedule and/or oversee the work of installation, adjustments, alterations, inspections, maintenance, repairs, and restorations of chilled water systems, direct exchange systems, refrigerated systems, heating systems to include boilers/steam systems, and automated controls.
Work on refrigeration units, such as ice machines, walk in freezer vaults, and residential refrigerators, and water-based heating and cooling systems such as chillers and boilers.
Assign, schedule and prioritize the work of other staff assisting with HVAC work to accomplish daily and weekly tasks most effectively.
Maintain accurate records of equipment performance and work completed.
Serve a team lead on HVAC projects and develops the schedules for routine work.
Train others to perform HVAC work and use the equipment commensurate with skills and training.
Perform and document inspections in accordance with applicable life safety code standards.
Assist in air quality sampling.
Oversee and monitor controls, temperatures and humidity levels, and monitors energy consumption.
Change filters routinely, and air handler belts and other parts as necessary.
Coordinate parts and material acquisition requirements.
Properly use, cleans, stores, inventories and performs minor repairs on tools used.
Work as a team member with other members of the maintenance department and/or other employees to complete tasks including, but not limited to, operating motorized vehicles, making deliveries, and picking up supplies.
Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the overall safe operations of the facility.
Work some weekend and/or after-hours callouts, to respond to situations impacting safe facility operations.
Attend work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility.
Oversee and/or performs installation, adjustments, alterations, inspections, maintenance, repairs, and restorations of chilled water systems, direct exchange systems, refrigerated systems, heating systems to include boilers/steam systems, and automated controls, utility systems, and ventilation systems to include duct work.
Repair or replace defective components such as coils, evaporators, condensers, fans, driers and air handlers, and pumps.
Build, modify and install ductwork.
Replace defective compressors on refrigeration systems, cleans and recharges systems, and replaces motors and thermostats, as necessary.
Overhaul air compressors and pumps associated with HVAC equipment and systems.
Maintain and repair refrigeration units, such as ice machines, walk in freezer vaults, and residential refrigerators.
May perform minor repairs on other items commensurate with abilities.
Follow directions, administrative code, and life safety code standards in performance of duties.
Oversee and/ or performs preventative maintenance on HVAC equipment and systems.
Ensure life safety code standards are met.
Implement the schedule for preventative maintenance work.
Observe and perform periodic inspections to ensure efficiency of refrigeration and heating systems.
Check performance of thermostats, humidistats, automatic controls, and pressure gauges.
Adjust valves and check refrigerant levels.
Clean, service, oil, and adjust equipment; tighten fittings; align and repack pumps; replace belts; and change and clean filters.
Adjust system settings for proper system operations.
Test refrigeration equipment for proper operation and performs refrigerant leak searches.
Assign, prioritize and lead the work of others to ensure all HVAC-related tasks are completed as required.
Designate and assign work to other qualified to perform the work.
Oversee the quality of work and assists as necessary assuring proper results.
Report any significant issues to the supervisor for handling.
Develop long-range plans for HVAC maintenance and upgrades in collaboration with the maintenance supervisor and other facility leadership.
Use data from system monitoring to plan maintenance and repair work.
Make recommendations to increase energy efficiency of HVAC systems.
Present to management and implements the plan(s) and/or recommendation(s) selected.
Plan for, acquire and maintain the required equipment.
Monitor environmental control systems, such as the Vista Control System to set and maintain indoor temperatures; setting start and stop times by sector and room within each building on campus.
Use this same system to trouble shoot equipment by checking the operational status of each system component of an HVAC unit such as condenser fans, air handling units, supply air temps, the operation of valves and dampers in ductwork and chilled water lines.
Analyze the history of a system overtime to determine equipment problems and determine their probable causes and formulate possible fixes.
Sample and monitor air quality, takes initiative to resolves issues and reports issues beyond ability to supervisor for action.
Use hand tools, power tools, and safety equipment as necessary.
Properly clean and store tools and other equipment after each use.
Perform minor repairs and preventative maintenance on tools as needed and reports major issues to the supervisor.
Complete tool inventory as required.
Train other staff to use equipment and tools commensurate with skill and ability.
Maintain accurate records including records of repairs and gauge readings of temperatures, oil levels, and pressures.
Accurately complete and maintain records on work orders using the designated electronic or hard-copy system.
Oversee accurate completion of records by other staff.
Coordinate parts and material requirements.
Communicate needs for equipment, part and materials to the designated person such as with the supply room or warehouse in accordance with designated processes and timeframes.
Actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.