Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technician, Salem Public Schools SY2024-2025

Reports to: Director of Buildings and Grounds

About Salem Public Schools, where belonging leads to opportunity.

Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history.  Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district enrolling nearly 4,000 students across our 11 schools. Our vision is to ensure that all students will be locally engaged, globally connected, and fully prepared to thrive in a diverse and changing world. We hold dear our core values of belonging, equity, and opportunity in everything we do. Over the next three years (2023-2026), we are committed to the work outlined by the four core priorities in our strategic plan: 1) Elevate Learning; 2) Empower Educators; 3) Center Belonging; and 4) Strengthen Our Foundation. We seek individuals who are passionate about urban education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement for all students, regardless of ability, economic status, gender/gender identity, language, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other backgrounds. Applicants who have experience working in urban schools and settings and are bilingual are strongly encouraged to apply.

What You’ll Do: 

The HVAC Technician’s primary responsibility is the maintenance of building HVAC systems and gas fired equipment.  The incumbent performs a full range of HVAC duties. Work is performed in compliance with Massachusetts HVAC codes and is checked in progress or upon completion to ensure it complies with accepted standards and codes.

The incumbent performs assigned tasks without close supervision, following established procedures, and is given direct and detailed instructions on new and different assignments.  The Incumbent must have a thorough understanding of the trade and be knowledgeable in the use of all trade tools and instruments.  The work schedule requires some early morning, night, weekend, stand by and emergency work.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Install heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment, including related fixtures; checks equipment for malfunctions; maintains and repairs or replaces defective equipment.  Performs related work as required.
• Install, maintain and repair air duct systems, refrigeration piping and control wiring, according to established procedures for heat load and equipment.
• Maintaining school boilers per Massachusetts State inspection codes.
• Perform seasonal maintenance on all heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment including classroom, rooftop and air handling units.
• Perform water treatment and maintenance for cooling towers and chilled water systems according to established procedures.
• Install, inspect, and maintain warm and cold air steam and hot water heating and ventilating units according to established procedures and manufacturers specifications.
• Checks equipment for malfunctioning by observing building management systems, pressure and vacuum gauges and other indicators.  Adjust controls, test joints and connections for gas leaks, injects refrigerant and adjust valves, controls and pumps, and uses testing equipment such as voltmeter, ohmmeters, amp-probes, ect., to ensure proper operation.
• Maintains and repairs equipment by replacing worn or defective parts such as switches, fuses, motors, bearings, valves and damper operators, thermostats and electrical wirings.  Pumps specified gas or fluids into a system, adds necessary liquids, lubricates motors and bearings, and changes filters and belts. Repairs and replaces pneumatic and DDC parts, motors, thermostats, ect.
• Joins tubing and/or pipes, cuts and threads pipes, solders and brazes joints, mounts compressor and condenser units, connects motors, compressors, temperature controls, humidity controls and related equipment.
• Calculates heat loads for new installations.  Analyzes and treats both open and closed water systems.
• Performs related work such as making and assembling ducts and chassis parts for heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems; drilling holes for mounting brackets; screwing, bolting, riveting and welding parts to assemble structural and functional components such as motors, controls, switches and gauges.
• Recovers CFC and HCFC refrigerants using safe procedure while operating appropriate recovery equipment.
• Supervises various licensed and skilled Trades Workers who are assisting on the repair, installation and operation of various HVAC equipment. Checks work orders, reports and invoices for accuracy.
• Maintains appropriate environmental conditions in all classroom, gym, computer, and lab areas as demonstrated by maintaining humidity, thermometer, and air flow levels within acceptable ranges.
• Maintenance of all building equipment including but not limited to BMS systems, VAV’s, fan coils, unit ventilators, HV’s RTU’s, Chillers, exhausts, pumps and commercial Boilers.
• Ability to work on Refrigeration equipment Kitchens and Cafeterias.
• Performance of other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Must possess EPA universal license or is able to obtain within 1 year
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• At least 3 years experience with HVAC systems and 3 years of experience with computer based building management systems.
• Ability to troubleshoot, repair, and replace HVAC components and controls.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience with email, online timekeeping, computerized management software,  Operations Hero preferred.
• Must have ability to occasionally work outside of the scheduled hours and on weekends.  Must have transportation to commute between schools.

Additional Qualifications:

• Knowledge of BMS Systems (Johnson Controls, Metasys, Open protocols)
• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.
• Ability to stoop and bend for long periods of time and work on hands and knees.
• Must be able to work alone.
• Must be able to climb ladders and carry all necessary tools.
• Must observe and comply with all standard safety codes and practices, perform work in accordance with recognized trade and City of Salem standards.
• Must be able to effectively communicate with peers and customers.

Terms of Employment:

• Hours: 8–hour shift between the hours of 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM (must have the ability to work outside of scheduled hours and on weekends).
• Work year: 52 week/year
• Salary in accordance with AFSCME contract, plus overtime as available.  In addition, SPS offers a great work environment, generous benefits, and work-life balance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Salem Public School District is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.