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University of Tennessee

HVAC Tradesperson - College of Veterinary Medicine - UTK

University of Tennessee

Location
Onsite (Knoxville, TN)
Compensation
$50k - $60k/yr
Employment
Full-time
Level
Senior Level
Posted 6 days ago

About the Role

The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine seeks an HVAC Tradesperson to install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, and building automation systems. This role ensures reliable environmental conditions critical for animal care, research, and administrative facilities.

Skills

HVAC maintenance Refrigeration systems Building automation systems Troubleshooting Preventive maintenance Blueprint reading Chilled water systems Steam systems Control sequences Equipment repair Safety regulations Lockout/tagout Diagnostic instruments Mechanical codes Environmental compliance

Full job details

The College of Veterinary Medicine invites applicants to apply for the position of HVAC Tradesman. The HVAC Tradesman is responsible for the installation, operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and modification of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and building automation systems within the College of Veterinary Medicine. This position ensures the reliable operation of environmental systems supporting animal care, surgical, laboratory, research, instructional, and administrative facilities. The HVAC Tradesman performs preventive and corrective maintenance, responds to service requests and emergencies, and collaborates with other maintenance trades to maintain a safe, comfortable, and compliant environment.

The Veterinary Medical Center is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, and 365 days per year. Occasional on-call, weekend, evening, or holiday work may be required of this position.

Responsibilities

Inspect, test, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair commercial and institutional HVAC, refrigeration, ventilation, and building automation systems to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operation. Monitor and maintain temperature, humidity, airflow, pressure relationships, and indoor air quality within patient care, research, instructional, and administrative spaces. Diagnose equipment malfunctions and repair or replace HVAC components including compressors, motors, fans, belts, bearings, valves, thermostats, sensors, dampers, actuators, and control devices. Respond to emergency service requests and implement corrective actions to restore critical systems and minimize operational disruptions.

Perform preventive and predictive maintenance on HVAC and refrigeration equipment, including air handling units, rooftop units, split systems, chillers, boilers, pumps, cooling towers, exhaust systems, and associated components. Conduct inspections, cleaning, adjustments, operational testing, and component replacements to maximize system reliability, reduce downtime, and extend equipment life. Maintain accurate work orders, inspection reports, maintenance records, and regulatory documentation. Perform all work in compliance with applicable building codes,

safety regulations, environmental requirements, and institutional policies, including adherence to lockout/tagout procedures and safe work practices.

 

Install, modify, upgrade, and commission HVAC equipment, ductwork, piping, controls, and related systems. Read and

interpret blueprints, schematics, specifications, sequence-of-operation documents, and technical manuals to support

maintenance, renovation, and construction projects. Coordinate maintenance activities with veterinarians,

researchers, faculty, staff, contractors, and vendors to minimize disruptions to hospital and research operations. Assist

other maintenance personnel with electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and general maintenance tasks as needed to support

the overall mission and operational needs of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

 

Complete daily facility walk-throughs to proactively identify maintenance issues, safety risks, or regulatory discrepancies, and ensure all concerns are communicated to maintenance management. Responsible for maintaining a clean, orderly, and safe maintenance shop environment to support efficient operations, regulatory compliance, and workplace safety. Ensures tools, equipment, materials, and work areas are properly organized, maintained, and readily accessible for maintenance staff.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

  • Education: High school diploma or Vocational/Trade School
  • Experience: Minimum five (5) years of experience in commercial, institutional, healthcare, or industrial HVAC maintenance. Completion of a recognized HVAC apprenticeship program or equivalent work experience. Technical training in HVAC, refrigeration, or related trade. EPA Universal Refrigerant Certification. Valid driver's license.

  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 

    • Knowledge of chilled water, steam, hot water, and refrigeration systems. Knowledge of HVAC, refrigeration, ventilation, and building automation systems. Knowledge of chilled water, steam, hot water, and refrigerant-based systems. Knowledge of HVAC control sequences. Knowledge of Building Automation Systems (BAS), digital controls, and HVAC control sequences. Knowledge of applicable HVAC, mechanical, safety, and environmental codes and regulations. Knowledge of preventive and predictive maintenance practices. Ability to maintain environmental conditions critical to animal care, research, teaching, and healthcare operations.
    • Skill in diagnosing and repairing HVAC and refrigeration equipment. Skill in reading and interpreting blueprints, schematics, control diagrams, and technical manuals. Skill in using HVAC diagnostic instruments and testing equipment. Skill in operating lifts, power tools, and maintenance equipment safely.
    • Ability to operate a fork-lift, scissors lift and general power tools. Ability to identify and resolve HVAC equipment failures independently. Ability to prioritize work assignments in a fast-paced healthcare and research environment. Ability to maintain accurate maintenance records and documentation. Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, contractors, and vendors. Ability to respond to emergencies and perform work under pressure.

     

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Education: Associate’s degree 
  • Experience: Ten (10) years of experience in commercial, institutional, healthcare, or industrial HVAC maintenance. Experience working in a hospital, veterinary hospital, laboratory, research, or higher education environment. Experience with Building Automation Systems (BAS). Journeyman HVAC certification or equivalent trade credentials. Experience maintaining critical environmental systems

 

Work Location:

Knoxville, Tennessee      

On-Site

Compensation and Benefits: 

  • UT market range: 07
  • Anticipated hiring range: $50K-$60K
  • Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
  • Find more information on UT Benefits here

 

Application Instructions 

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. 

 

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter

 

About The College

The UT College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM), located in Knoxville, was established by an act of the Tennessee Legislature in 1974 and is part of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.

UTCVM is one of 33 veterinary colleges in the United States and provides opportunities for Tennessee students while serving pet owners and the livestock industry as well as protecting public health, enhancing medical knowledge and generating economic benefits to the state and nation.


The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service. 

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.  

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone. 

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.  

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!