HVAC Technician

Loomis Chaffee seeks an experienced full-time HVAC Technician to join our community during the shifts of  Tuesday - Saturday 7:00a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (additional hours, emergency response, and scheduled off-hour work as required)

Summary of Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The HVAC Technician is responsible for the safe, professional, reliable, efficient, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of HVAC and related mechanical systems throughout the Loomis Chaffee School campus.

This position has a primary focus on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, hydronic systems, chilled-water systems, boilers, pumps, controls, and associated mechanical equipment serving academic, residential, administrative, athletic, and other campus facilities.

The successful candidate should possess a Connecticut S-2 Unlimited Journeyperson Heating, Piping and Cooling License, or a similar/appropriate Connecticut trade license, along with significant hands-on experience maintaining and troubleshooting commercial HVAC systems.

The HVAC Technician works as part of the Physical Plant Maintenance team and is expected to independently diagnose mechanical problems, recommend appropriate corrective action, perform repairs and preventive maintenance, and coordinate with other Physical Plant personnel and outside contractors when necessary.

Specific Responsibilities

• Perform preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and installation of HVAC and related mechanical systems throughout campus.

• Maintain and repair heating and cooling equipment, including boilers, chillers, pumps, air-handling units, rooftop units, hydronic systems, and associated piping and controls.

• Diagnose HVAC system problems and perform mechanical, electrical, and controls-related troubleshooting within applicable licensing requirements.

• Operate and monitor the campus Building Management System (BMS) and assist with adjusting schedules, temperatures, alarms, and equipment operation.

• Perform seasonal start-up, shutdown, and changeover of heating and cooling systems.

• Read and interpret mechanical drawings, schematics, equipment manuals, and manufacturer specifications.

• Maintain accurate maintenance and repair records and assist with identifying replacement parts, materials, and equipment needs.

• Coordinate with outside HVAC, mechanical, and controls contractors as needed.

• Respond to heating, cooling, and mechanical system emergencies and assist with restoring equipment to proper operation.

• Maintain mechanical rooms, equipment, tools, and work areas in a safe, clean, and professional condition.

• Support other Physical Plant operations, special events, snow removal, and other duties as assigned.

Safety, Compliance, and Other Responsibilities

• Comply with all School safety policies, OSHA requirements, environmental regulations, applicable building and mechanical codes, refrigerant-handling requirements, and established Physical Plant procedures.

• Apply appropriate lockout/tagout procedures and other required safety practices when servicing mechanical and electrical equipment.

• Maintain a strong working knowledge of applicable mechanical, building, life-safety, and workplace safety requirements as they relate to HVAC and mechanical systems.

• Perform seasonal duties as required, including snow and ice removal from walks, stairs, entrances, and other campus areas.

• Participate in emergency response and scheduled off-hour work when necessary to support critical campus mechanical systems.

• Perform other duties and assist other Physical Plant operations as assigned by the Director of Physical Plant or designee.

Education and Experience Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

• Connecticut S-2 Unlimited Journeyperson Heating, Piping and Cooling License preferred/required, or similar Connecticut HVAC/heating and cooling trade license appropriate to the position.

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible HVAC/mechanical trade experience preferred, with substantial commercial or institutional HVAC experience.

• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing commercial heating and cooling equipment.

• Experience with chilled-water systems, chillers, boilers, hydronic heating systems, pumps, air-handling equipment, and HVAC controls strongly preferred.

• Experience working with both commercial and residential HVAC systems preferred.

• Experience with steam and hot-water heating systems preferred.

• Working knowledge of Building Management Systems/Building Automation Systems required; experience diagnosing HVAC problems through a BMS strongly preferred.

• Knowledge of preventive maintenance practices and experience developing or working from scheduled HVAC maintenance programs.

• Ability to read and understand mechanical drawings, blueprints, specifications, schematics, equipment schedules, control diagrams, and manufacturer technical documentation.

• EPA Section 608 Universal Certification preferred/required as appropriate to assigned refrigeration responsibilities.

• Experience in an educational, institutional, healthcare, commercial campus, or similarly complex multi-building environment is highly desirable.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities Required

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following skills and abilities:

• Strong HVAC diagnostic and troubleshooting skills and the ability to identify the root cause of mechanical-system problems rather than simply addressing symptoms.

• Strong working knowledge of heating, cooling, ventilation, hydronic, chilled-water, and mechanical systems.

• Ability to operate, monitor, and make appropriate adjustments through a Building Management System.

• Ability to understand system sequences of operation and evaluate whether HVAC equipment is functioning as designed.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while exercising appropriate judgment regarding when additional assistance or specialized contractors are required.

• Ability to prioritize multiple service requests while recognizing situations involving life safety, property protection, critical equipment, residential conditions, and continuity of School operations.

• Strong organizational, problem-solving, time-management, and oral communication skills.

• Ability to clearly communicate mechanical problems, recommended repairs, equipment conditions, and operational concerns to supervisors and other members of the Physical Plant team.

• Ability to interact professionally and respectfully with students, faculty, staff, contractors, vendors, and visitors.

• Ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-trade Physical Plant team.

• Ability to demonstrate appropriate judgment in behavior, speech, appearance, and conduct while working in an active residential and educational environment.

• Basic proficiency with computers and mobile devices for work orders, equipment documentation, email, Building Management Systems, and related applications.

• Ability and willingness to continue developing technical knowledge as HVAC equipment, refrigerants, controls, energy-management practices, and building technologies evolve.

Licenses & Certifications

• Valid CT driver's license required.

• Current State of Connecticut S-2 Unlimited Journeyperson Heating, Piping and Cooling License, or comparable Connecticut HVAC trade license, strongly preferred/required based upon position classification.

• EPA Section 608 Universal Certification strongly preferred.

• Additional HVAC, refrigeration, controls, boiler, or manufacturer-specific certifications are desirable.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Work is performed throughout a large, active campus environment and includes mechanical rooms, occupied buildings, rooftops, utility spaces, confined spaces, construction areas, and outdoor locations.

The position requires working in varying indoor and outdoor environmental conditions throughout the year, including heat, cold, rain, snow, and other weather conditions.

The employee must be able to:

• Regularly lift and/or move up to twenty (20) pounds.

• Frequently lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds.

• Occasionally lift and/or move more than fifty (50) pounds with appropriate assistance or equipment.

• Stand and walk for extended periods throughout an eight-hour workday.

• Frequently bend, twist, reach, kneel, crouch, climb, and work in confined or restricted spaces.

• Safely work from ladders, scaffolding, platforms, rooftops, and mechanical lifts, including locations more than 30 feet above floor or ground level.

• Travel throughout campus and respond to mechanical-system issues in multiple buildings.

• Must successfully complete required pre-employment background check.

• Must maintain a satisfactory work record, including reliable attendance and punctuality.

• Work occasional evenings, weekends, holidays, or emergency call-ins when necessary to maintain critical campus HVAC and mechanical systems.

This position offers a comprehensive and competitive benefit package including but not limited to: 

- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life insurance, Long-term/short-term disability, retirement plan with match up to 10%. Generous vacation, sick and holiday time annually.

The Loomis Chaffee School is an independent, coeducational boarding/day school located in the historic town of Windsor, Connecticut. The school enrolls 750 students in grades 9-12 and postgraduates and employs 350 faculty and staff. Chartered in 1874, the school provides an academically challenging curriculum within a supportive community that values curiosity, inclusivity, integrity, kindness, and resilience. Need-based financial aid is currently awarded to 32 percent of the student body. Loomis Chaffee does not discriminate against employees on the basis of race, color, religious creed, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, or disability. This policy applies to, but is not limited to, admission, financial aid, employment, use of school facilities, and participation in school activities.