Senior HVAC Mechanic

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Brief Job Description:

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The HVAC Mechanic II, Senior HVAC Mechanic, performs complex (journey-level) work in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) building maintenance and construction trade at a State Hospital.  Maintains safe and uninterrupted heating and air conditioning services to facility operations and utility systems in accordance with Texas Administrative Code (T.A.C.), life safety code, and other industry standards. Work involves performing installation, adjustments, alterations, inspections, maintenance, repairs, and restorations of basic units such as direct exchange units, and more complex units such as chilled water chillers and heating systems to include boilers/steam systems, high pressure boilers, and automated controls. Works 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. Maintains accurate records of equipment performance and work completed. Serves as team lead on HVAC projects. Trains others to perform HVAC work and use the equipment commensurate with skills and training. Performs and documents inspections in accordance with applicable life safety code standards. Assists in air quality sampling and helps with air quality remediation projects.  Monitors controls, temperatures, and humidity levels. Changes filters routinely, and air handler belts and other parts as necessary. Coordinates parts and material acquisition requirements. Properly uses, cleans, stores, inventories, and performs minor repairs on tools used.  Works 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.

Performs other duties as assigned to ensure the overall safe operations of the facility. As needed, works some weekend and/or after-hours callouts, to respond to situations impacting safe facility operations. Works under the general supervision of a maintenance technician lead person or other appropriate staff depending on facility structure, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. 

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends 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.

Performs installation, adjustments, alterations, inspections, maintenance, repairs, and restorations of simple and complex 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. Repairs or replaces defective components such as coils, evaporators, condensers, fans, driers and air handlers, and pumps. Builds, modifies, and installs ductwork. Replaces defective compressors on refrigeration systems, cleans and recharges systems, and replaces motors and thermostats, as necessary. Maintains and repairs refrigeration units, such as ice machines, walk in freezer vaults, and residential refrigerators. May perform minor repairs on other items such as complex kitchen equipment commensurate with abilities. Follows directions, administrative codes, and life safety code standards in performance of duties.

Designs a schedule for and performs preventative maintenance on HVAC equipment and systems. Ensures life safety code standards are met.  Implements the schedule for preventative maintenance work. Observes and performs periodic inspections to ensure efficiency of refrigeration and heating systems. Checks performance of thermostats, humidistats, automatic controls, and pressure gauges. Adjusts valves and checks refrigerant levels. Cleans, services, oils, and adjusts equipment; tightens fittings; aligns and repacks pumps; replaces belts; and changes and cleans filters. Adjusts system settings for proper system operations. Tests refrigeration equipment for proper operation and performs refrigerant leak searches.

Monitors environmental control systems, such as an energy management control system to set and maintain indoor temperatures; setting start and stop times by sector and room within each building on campus. Uses 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.  Analyzes the history of a system over time to determine equipment problems and determine their probable causes and formulate possible fixes. Samples and monitors air quality, takes initiative to resolves issues and proactively prevent them (such as the creation of mold) and reports issues beyond ability to supervisor for action.

Uses hand tools, power tools, and complex equipment such as diagnostic systems and volt meters and safety equipment as necessary. Properly cleans and stores tools and other equipment after each use. Performs minor repairs and preventative maintenance on tools as needed and reports major issues to the supervisor. Completes tool inventory as required. Trains other staff to use equipment and tools commensurate with skill and ability.

Maintains accurate records including records of repairs and gauge readings of temperatures, oil levels, and pressures. Accurately completes and maintains records on work orders using the designated electronic or hard-copy system. Oversees accurate completion of records by other staff and provides training/coaching when necessary.

Coordinates parts and material requirements. Communicates 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.

Follows the daily, weekly, and monthly scheduling of work in the maintenance department. Works as a team member with other department members to perform other duties assigned to the department.  Safely operates vehicles such as state motor-pool vehicles, golf carts, trucks assigned to the maintenance department, and other types of motorized vehicles as necessary to perform job duties. Reports any significant issues to the supervisor for handling.

Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to 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. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledgeable in the installation, repair and maintenance of cooling, refrigeration, and heating equipment.

Knowledge of general principles and theory of pressure, vacuum, vaporization, heat conductions, and of safety regulations.

Knowledge of Life Safety Code standards

Knowledge of the 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.

Knowledge of boilers, building mechanical systems, electrical distribution systems, HVAC, refrigeration, and sanitation.

Technical knowledge concerning advanced Energy Management Systems (EMS) and electronic controls, or ability to gain that knowledge.

Skilled in diagnosing malfunctions with systems and coming up with the right solutions and equipment for the rectification of the malfunctions.

Skill in maintaining proper heating, ventilation, and air conditioning levels.

Skill in the use of tools and test equipment used in the maintenance and repair of HVAC equipment.

Skill in preventive maintenance and inspections of air conditioning and heating systems, steam systems, supplies, tools, utility systems, and ventilation systems.

Skill in performing adjustments, alterations, inspections, maintenance, repairs, and restorations of buildings, boilers, equipment, heating systems, steam systems, supplies, tools, utility systems, and ventilation systems.

Ability to maintain accurate records.

Ability to read, understand, and apply a variety of inter-related instructions such as those found in guidelines, regulations and policies.

Ability to interpret and work from drawings, schematics, or sketches.

Ability to work independently or with a team.

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 speak and read English is preferred.

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 teach/train others to safely use HVAC equipment and tools.

Ability to teach others basic HVAC skills commensurate with ability.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must possess valid Texas driver’s license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date. Applicants with an out-of-state driver’s license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 608 Technician Certification, Universal certification required.

R410A Certification is preferred, must obtain 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.

Initial Screening Criteria:

At least eighteen (18) months of work experience as an HVAC mechanic or technician AND

At least eighteen (18) months of experience using HVAC tools and equipment.

The above experience may be substituted by vocational or special training in the HVAC trade.

Experience in commercial HVAC system installations and repairs is preferred.

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.