Refrigeration Technician

Maintenance & Repair

• Performs expert-level preventive maintenance (PM) and break-fix repairs on high-capacity industrial refrigeration systems, including:
• • Parallel compressor rack systems and associated suction/discharge headers
  • Evaporative cooling towers (counterflow and crossflow), closed-circuit fluid coolers, and condenser water systems
  • Process chillers (air-cooled and water-cooled), evaporators, and heat exchangers
  • Commercial and industrial walk-in coolers, freezers, and refrigerated process equipment
  • Refrigerant metering devices including TXVs, EEVs, and fixed-orifice systems
• Identifies and resolves root causes of equipment failures through systematic diagnosis — including refrigerant pressure/temperature analysis, superheat/subcooling measurements, oil analysis, and electrical load testing
• Performs refrigerant handling, recovery, reclaim, and recharge operations in strict compliance with EPA Section 608 regulations; maintains accurate refrigerant usage and leak rate records
• Executes leak detection and repair on high-charge systems using electronic detectors, UV dye, and nitrogen pressure testing protocols
• Inspects, cleans, and restores cooling tower components including fill media, drift eliminators, water distribution systems, float valves, basin structures, and drive systems
• Replaces and repairs system components including compressors, condensers, evaporator coils, expansion valves, solenoid valves, pressure controls, hot gas bypass assemblies, and defrost systems
• Performs brazing, soldering, and refrigerant piping work following nitrogen purge best practices to prevent internal oxidation

Controls & Electrical

• Troubleshoots and repairs complex refrigeration control systems including rack controllers, electronic expansion valve drivers, defrost controllers, and building automation system (BAS) integration points
• Diagnoses and resolves electrical faults in 3-phase motor circuits, compressor contactors, variable frequency drives (VFDs), control transformers, and low-voltage control wiring
• Interprets wiring schematics, ladder diagrams, P&IDs, and control panel layouts
• Interfaces with PLC-based and proprietary rack controllers (e.g., Copeland CoreSense, Hussmann HMC, Danfoss AK-CC) for setpoint adjustment, alarm diagnostics, and data trending
• Works with site engineering or controls teams to resolve communication and integration issues between refrigeration equipment and local control networks or SCADA systems

Water Treatment & Cooling Tower Operations

• Monitors and maintains cooling tower water chemistry including pH, conductivity, cycles of concentration, biocide levels, and corrosion inhibitor dosing in coordination with the water treatment program
• Executes blowdown procedures and evaluates makeup water consumption to maintain system efficiency and prevent scale, corrosion, and Legionella risk
• Complies with site Legionella Water Management Plan (WMP) requirements and documents all water system inspections and treatments

Predictive Maintenance & Reliability

• Utilizes predictive maintenance tools including vibration analysis, ultrasonic leak detection, infrared thermography, and oil sample submission to identify developing failures before breakdown
• Monitors refrigeration system trends (compressor amp draw, superheat/subcooling, pressure differentials, oil levels, condenser approach temperatures) and makes proactive maintenance recommendations
• Maintains accurate work records in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS); reviews equipment history to identify repeat failure patterns and drive reliability improvements

Planning, Training & Continuous Improvement

• Collaborates with the Planner/Scheduler to develop, refine, and optimize PM procedures, frequency, and scope for refrigeration assets
• Identifies and sources replacement parts, refrigerants, lubricants, and consumables; evaluates alternative components for improved cost or reliability
• Mentors and provides on-the-job technical training to junior and mid-level technicians; documents technical procedures for knowledge transfer
• Leads and participates in continuous improvement (CI) activities targeting energy reduction, reliability improvement, and refrigerant loss minimization
• Evaluates aging equipment and contributes technical input to capital repair/replacement decisions

Safety & Compliance

• Follows all applicable safety policies, OSHA regulations, and site-specific rules including lockout/tagout (LOTO), confined space entry, arc flash PPE, fall protection, and hot work permitting
• Adheres to all EPA Section 608 refrigerant handling and recordkeeping requirements; supports refrigerant inventory management and leak rate monitoring
• Complies with ASHRAE 15 safety standards for refrigerant system operation, ventilation, and emergency procedures
• Maintains awareness of A2L refrigerant transition requirements (R-454B, R-455A, R-32) and associated safety protocols including flammability controls and sensor requirements
• Identifies and reports unsafe conditions, near-misses, and potential regulatory concerns to supervision promptly

Required Knowledge, Skills & Qualifications

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate's degree or technical certificate in HVAC/R, Refrigeration Technology, or a related field preferred
• Minimum 7 years of hands-on experience in industrial or commercial refrigeration, with at least 3 years on high-capacity systems (100+ tons, compressor racks, cooling towers, or process chillers); or Associate's degree in a relevant technical field with a minimum of 5 years of equivalent experience
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting refrigeration systems under pressure able to work through complex, multi-variable problems independently

Certifications (Required)

• EPA Section 608 Universal Certification (mandatory, legally required for refrigerant handling)
• Valid driver's license

Certifications (Preferred / Highly Valued)

• RETA (Refrigerating Engineers & Technicians Association) - CARO or CIRO certification
• NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certification in refrigeration or light commercial/commercial
• State HVAC/R journeyman or contractor license (where applicable)
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 General Industry
• Cooling Technology Institute (CTI) training or equivalent cooling tower certification

Technical Knowledge

• Deep understanding of the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle, including superheat/subcooling theory, pressure-enthalpy relationships, and system performance benchmarking
• Proficiency with digital manifold sets, micron gauges, clamp-on ammeters, and pipe-clamp thermometers
• Working knowledge of cooling tower thermodynamics including wet bulb approach, range, cycles of concentration, and evaporative cooling principles
• Familiarity with current and transitional refrigerants including R-404A, R-22 (legacy), R-410A, R-507, and A2L alternatives (R-454B, R-455A, R-32, R-290)
• Basic electrical competency: ability to read wiring diagrams, measure voltage/amperage/resistance, and safely diagnose 3-phase motor circuits
• Comfortable with CMMS platforms (SAP PM, Maximo, MP2, or similar) for work order management and history review

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

The physical requirements below are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities.

• Frequent standing, walking, kneeling, stooping, and crouching in mechanical rooms, rooftops, and equipment areas
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for tool operation, component installation, and control device manipulation
• Must be capable of climbing ladders, scaffolding, and elevated platforms; comfort at heights required for rooftop and cooling tower work
• Occasional confined space entry (basins, vessels, tunnels) following site permit-required confined space procedures
• Must be able to safely lift and/or move up to 50 lbs unassisted; heavier lifts performed with mechanical assistance or team lift
• Regularly required to use close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus (for reading gauges, wiring diagrams, and control displays)
• Exposed to temperature extremes ranging from refrigerated spaces (0°F and below) to hot mechanical rooms and outdoor rooftop environments
• Regularly exposed to industrial noise levels; hearing protection required in designated areas
• May be exposed to refrigerants, water treatment chemicals, lubricating oils, and cleaning agents; appropriate PPE provided and required
• On-call rotation and occasional overtime required to support 24/7 facility operations
• Minimal travel may be required for training, vendor visits, or multi-site support

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