Trade Specialist 1 - Maintenance, Facilities & Services

The department of Maintenance in Facilities and Services at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for an HVAC Trades Specialist I.

About the Opportunity

This position provides maintenance troubleshooting, repair, and installation of various types of HV/AC/R equipment. The incumbent will perform various construction and repair methods as required to maintain buildings and equipment.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 15 annual leave (vacation) days per year, or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits (this position is a benefits-eligible non-classified staff position)
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs.

What You'll Do

• Functions as a team member providing input and working with other technicians as required. Maintains assigned resources and shop equipment in a safe, clean, and serviceable condition. Responsible for leaving all work sites in a clean orderly condition prior to departure and is expected to secure any resources that may be required to be left on-site for any unoccupied length of time.
• Receives and obtains work orders. Interfaces with Work Control, Supervisor, and requesting party to finalize project needs and scope. Communicates work schedules, goals, and completion to customer, creating efficiency and a timely completion of assigned tasks. Provides timely updates for critical situations, routinely documents labor and comments within CMMS and reports any deficiencies to Supervisor or Lead as applicable.
• Repair, rebuild, overhaul, and maintain refrigeration and chiller systems such as screw chillers, centrifugal chillers, reciprocating chillers, and steam absorption machines.
• Utilizes test equipment for proper diagnosis of failed mechanical systems. The test equipment will include instruments such as refrigerant gauges, velometer, electric meter, amprobe, acid test, and vacuum meter. The use of this equipment will require strong mathematical skills and analytical ability. Will also use various hand tools and power tools. Will have ability to solder and braze refrigerant piping and components utilizing the proper torch and material.
• Must have complete knowledge of refrigerant and reclaiming equipment. Must also maintain knowledge of regulations that apply to such equipment. The use of this equipment is governed by specific EPA regulations. Must also complete required documentation associated with refrigerant use.
• Troubleshoots, maintains, and repairs air handling units, lab equipment, chilled water distribution, heating water distribution, mixing boxes, duct systems, and all associated controls and safety devices.
• Fabricates, maintains, repairs, and installs components associated with compressor replacement and installation for cooling units up to several hundred tons capacity. The tolerances of this equipment can be extremely tight and must be handled properly. This also includes support components such as block dryers, sight glasses, expansion valves, hot gas bypass valves, headmaster controls, fan cycling switches, condensing fans, temperature control boards, and service valves.
• Troubleshoots, maintains, and repairs cooling towers, condensers, and associated controls to maintain proper temperature, capacity, and flow. Will also monitor water treatment systems and ensure proper adjustments are made. Will work with and advise Supervisor on any problems associated with the water treatment program to ensure corrections are made and preserve life expectancy of equipment
• Troubleshoots, repairs, and maintains ultra-low freezers, ice machines, air dryer systems, centrifuge, fish tank coolers, environmental chambers, window air conditioners, evaporative coolers, water coolers, refrigerators, gas fired appliances and any other devices utilized for temperature control or ventilation. These systems support many years of experimentation and thus are very important to the operation of West Virginia University.
• Maintains and installs building control systems using pneumatic and electrical controls. Interprets blueprints and specifications and develops as-built sketches of completed projects. Operates and maintains computer systems and coordinates projects and service with control vendor.
• May be required to perform general maintenance duties either in relation to normal journeyman responsibilities or assisting other trades such as but not limited to low level electrical connections, lighting, sheet metal fabrication, painting, carpentry, plumbing, millwright work, custodial, etc.
• May be required to move, load, and carry all materials and equipment necessary to complete all phases of assigned maintenance and construction projects. May be required to assist in the effort of moving any existing conditions which interfere with the flow of the project. When project is completed, work site must be left in a clean and orderly fashion. Must be able to respond during off hours to cover emergency situations.
• Must be able to operate computers utilizing various software programs such as: Physical Plant maintenance management programs involving work orders and materials accountability, building support systems, and other systems as necessary.
• May be required to perform duties in response to emergency situations in order to meet operational needs. The response can be during off hours or as an extension of the duty day, to include short or no notice notifications.
  An emergency situation is characterized as an abnormal environmental condition that impacts personnel or equipment and if left unchecked, can result in an unhealthy or monetary loss to the University.

Pay Grade: 13

Work Hours: 7am - 3pm

• Must have high school diploma or GED.
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  Must have one of the following:

  
  
  
  
  • A minimum of two (2) years experience in HVAC repairs and maintenance. Duct work installation and refrigeration maintenance and repairs to include electric/electronic repairs preferred.
  • Completion of an associate degree as an HVAC technician.
  • Completion of a 2-year accredited vocational HVAC program.
  
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of absorption machines, screw chillers, centrifugal chillers, and all other HVAC systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of reclaiming and recovery of refrigerants and regulations that apply.
• Demonstrated knowledge of HVAC control systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of mechanical systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of local, state, and federal building codes.
• Demonstrated ability to read blueprints and electrical schematics.
• Demonstrated ability to perform mathematical computations.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer.
• Demonstrated knowledge of warehousing functions.
• Demonstrated ability to climb heights over ten feet.
• Demonstrated ability to work in inclement weather conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to work with people in a stressful environment.
• Demonstrated ability to have excellent eye to hand coordination.
• Demonstrated ability to hear and interpret sounds in the work area and verbal instructions.
• Demonstrated ability to work in extreme hot or cold areas such as steam tunnels and coolers.
• Demonstrated ability to use logical problem-solving techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate well utilizing both written and oral instructions.
• Demonstrated ability to perform all assigned related tasks.
• Demonstrated knowledge of technical terms related to mechanical equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to work in uncomfortable positions as may be required by job assignment.
• Demonstrated ability to work with multi-craft personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to lift and carry heavy (over 75 pounds) or awkward objects.
• Demonstrated ability to stoop, bend, walk, crawl, etc. over rough and slippery surfaces.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain proper attendance and punctuality standards.
• Ability to use diagnostic test equipment and tools.
• Demonstrated ability to seek continual training and/or process improvement in order to improve self or work processes.

Physical Demands:

• Stooping, walking, standing, crouching in very confined areas.
  
• Climbing ladders, scaffolds, platforms at various heights and levels.

• Valid US driver's license
• Universal Refrigeration License - EPA requires this license for working on refrigerant containing equipment preferred but must be obtained within first year of employment.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and engaging working environment and actively seek candidates who bring diverse ideas, approaches and experiences.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. We value diversity among our faculty, staff and students and invite applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.