Refrigeration Mechanic

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 7:50a.m.-4:20p.m.

Installs, repairs, replaces, services and maintains University direct expansion air conditioning and refrigeration systems including calibration and refurbishment of laboratory and research refrigeration equipment. Maintains and repairs systems according to schematic drawings and knowledge of refrigeration systems, using hand-tools, powered too.ls and brazing equipment. Reads schematic drawings to determine location, size, capacity, and type of components, such as compressor, condenser, evaporator, microprocessors, valves, and tubing or piping needed to repair or build refrigeration system. This position demands a broad skill set and equipment knowledge that encompasses entire refrigeration spectrum, from small appliances, environmental rooms, commercial refrigeration, multi-stage and ultra-low cascade systems and HVAC applications.

Essential Duties

1. Under the direction of the supervisor, and under limited supervision, performs assignments and assumes general responsibility for the completion of assignments. 2. Directs the work of employees under the direction of the supervisor. 3. Determines the manpower and material requirements and the means and methods to be used in accomplishing work assignments and recommends changes. Secures materials, supplies and equipment. 4.  Performs incidental work required on the equipment maintained by the trade. 5.  Performs routine sched uled maintena nce, clea ning and adjustrnent of equipment as required. 6.  Maintains clean work area and/or cleans up job site. 7.  Trains lower labor grade employees using various training methods. 8.  Observes safety standards and practices. 9.  Performs related duties as required or assigned within job classification. 10. Installs, repairs, replaces or alters ariy air conditioning and refrigeration closed loop systems including necessary piping and associated pumping equipment. 11. Also maintains equipment such as but not limited to water coolers, blowers, fans, expansion valves, cooling water and condenser pumps, dampers, ice machines, control valves and all related controls within air conditioning/refrigeration systems. 12. Inspects water and condenser water pump control valves, cooling tower, chiller and condenser, compressors and direct expansion refrigeration systems. 13. Inspects, troubleshoots and tests refrigeration system operation using gauges and test instrument.  14. Braze or solder parts to repair defective joints and leaks. 15. Dismantle malfunctioning systems and test components, using electrical, mechanical and testing equipment.  16. Adjust or replace worn or defective mechanisms and parts and reassemble repaired systems. 17. Compares readings with specifications to evaluate performance of system, and adjusts or replaces parts as indicated. 18. Perform mechanical overhauls and refrigerant reclaiming. 19. Cuts, bends and brazes specified tubing to inlets and outlets of components to form liquid and suction lines of refrigeration system. 20. Remove air from system, adjust valves according to specifications and charge system with proper type of refrigerant by pumping the specified gas or fluid into the system. 21. Install expansion and solenoid valves, compressors, condensers and other components using hand tools, acetylene torches and wrenches. 22. Attach thermocouples to various points of refrigeration  system and test equipment to evaluate functioning and cooling capacity of system. 23. Maintains large refrigeration equipment, built in refrigerators and small closed cooling systems for laboratory and research equipment.    ' 24. Troubleshoots, repairs and installs cascade, and multiple stage refrigeration systems.

Required Education and Experience

High School diploma or equivalent.  Must have a minimum of 4 years experience in Refrigeration and HVAC, experience with environmental chambers, cold rooms, and ultra-low temperature refrigeration systems.  Must have a demonstrated record of consistent and reliable job performance in an equivalent position.

Required Skill/Ability 1:

Ability to perform job as described.

Required Licenses or Certifications

1.  Must possess a valid Connecticut D-2 license or higher. 2.  Must possess a valid Federal Environmental Protection Agency Refrigeration Universal Certification, and OSHA 10. 3.  Must have a driver's license valid in the State of Connecticut.