HVAC Technician

Summary

If you want to join a hardworking team that shares a commitment to provide top-quality municipal services in a prime North County location, consider a career with the City of Escondido. We have an opening for the position of HVAC Technician in our Public Works Department/Building Maintenance Division. For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's website.

Under general supervision, performs skilled work in the installation, servicing, repair, and maintenance of refrigeration, heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment and systems; operates and maintains a wide variety of hand and power tools and equipment; and maintains pneumatic and digitally controlled building automation systems.

Key Responsibilities

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
Inspects, tests, calibrates, troubleshoots, repairs, maintains and services all types of heating, refrigeration, ventilation and air conditioning equipment and systems; ensures proper functioning; repairs leaks and malfunctioning dampers in systems.

Installs, replaces, repairs and adjusts valves, thermostats, fans, pressure and air regulators, filters, belts, condensers, fuses, controls, gauges, air compressors, blowers, dryers and pumps; tests joints and insulates pipes of refrigeration and air conditioning systems; cleans, lubricates and adjusts systems as required.

Performs major overhauls of equipment involving disassembly and inspection of all parts, replacement of defective or worn parts, reassembly of equipment, instruments and/or controls, and testing of equipment to ensure proper functioning.

Tests water used in air conditioning systems for proper levels of chemical treatment; maintains appropriate levels to maximize corrosion protection in cooling towers and water supply.

Operates a variety of hand tools, power equipment and testing instruments to locate and diagnose malfunctions including electrical, air, water, and natural gas testing equipment, thermometers, voltmeters, ohmmeters, and pressure and vacuum gauges.

Diagnoses problems in the distribution of air to individual rooms and buildings; makes necessary adjustments and/or repairs to improve ventilation and circulation.

Analyzes the efficiency of refrigeration and air conditioning systems; recommends modifications to heat and water cooling loads, and systems, compressor, evaporator and condensing unit capacities.

Modifies and adjusts computer-based heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment and systems including timed operation, demand control, duty cycling, boiler and chiller profile operation, maintenance time and efficiency scheduling and safety alarms.

Properly recovers, recycles and reclaims heating, ventilation and air conditioning refrigerants; ensures adherence to established safety and environmental policies and procedures.

Maintains inventory and records of parts and equipment used in the maintenance of heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment; locates and acquires parts as necessary.

Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

Methods, practices, equipment and tools used in the repair and maintenance of air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems.
Methods and techniques of troubleshooting and diagnosing HVAC malfunctions.
HVAC system design, equipment capabilities and requirements.
Electronic, pneumatic and mechanical principles as applied to the maintenance and repair of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
Proper methods, materials, tools, terminology and equipment used in the HVAC trades.
Methods and techniques of preparing and interpreting drawings, diagrams, schematics and blueprints.
Time, material, and labor cost estimating principles and practices used in maintenance and repair projects.
Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
Principles and procedures of record keeping.
Pertinent federal, state, and local codes, laws, and regulations.

Ability to:

Perform preventive HVAC maintenance work.
Maintain, install and repair complex HVAC systems, equipment and components.
Operate a variety of tools and equipment used in HVAC maintenance and repair work.
Operate computer-based energy management systems to interface with main building automation systems.
Read and interpret mechanical drawings, schematics, blueprints and sketches.
Order and maintain parts and supplies according to established guidelines and repair requirements.
Maintain detailed and accurate records.
Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
Work independently with little direction.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Minimum Requirements

Education/Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in the maintenance and repair of heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems or a related field.

Experience:
Four years (full-time equivalent) of responsible journey-level experience in the maintenance and repair of heating, ventilation, refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and systems.

License or Certificate:
Possession of a valid Class "C" California driver's license. Designated positions may require a Class "A" or Class "B" unrestricted commercial driver's license within six months of employment with the City. A Commercial driver's license with a tank endorsement may be required of some positions.
Possession of an appropriate, valid EPA Universal Refrigerant Transition and Recovery certificate.

Supplemental Information

NOTE: For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's web site. The City of Escondido is committed to a drug and alcohol free workplace. All applicants will be subject to fingerprint investigation before a conditional offer of employment is extended. A pre-employment medical examination will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment for all positions. Safety sensitive positions will include a pre-employment drug screen. Positions subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations will be subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Applications will be screened and the most qualified candidates will be invited to appear for testing. All positions require the ability to read, write and speak English. Types of tests may include written and/or oral examination, physical agility, practical exam or other appropriate job-related selection process. When testing is completed, candidates will be ranked on an eligibility list in the order of their test score. Selection for appointments is made from names certified on the eligibility list.

All appointments are subject to the successful completion of background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting, and will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. Qualification by a medical examination will be required at the time of appointment. After appointment, classified employees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period to be eligible for regular status. In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all new employees must produce proof of eligibility to work in the United States within the first three days of their employment. The City of Escondido participates in E-Verify®.

The Loyalty Oath will be administered to all new employees on their first day of hire. New employees hired into positions that require a driver's license must provide proof of a valid California Driver's License of the appropriate class level on their first day of employment.

Additional information regarding the essential functions and physical, environmental and communication demands of the position may be obtained from the Human Resources Department. If you require reasonable accommodation in the testing process, such as an alternate means of testing, you must contact the Human Resources Department by the final filing date to complete a Request for Reasonable Accommodation form. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

Note: Pursuant to California Civil Code section 1786.53, the City of Escondido shall provide to all job candidates a copy of any records of arrest, indictment, conviction, civil judicial action, tax lien or outstanding judgment which was obtained in the course of conducting an evaluation for employment, assignment, and/or promotion. A copy of this information, if received by the City, will be given to candidates within seven days of the City's receipt.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE

Eligible individuals are those who meet the following criteria:

• Served in the U.S. armed forces
• Received an honorable discharge
• Did not retire from military service
• Seeking employment with the City of Escondido for the first time.

Guard and Reserve active duty for training purposes does not qualify for veterans' preference. Proof of eligibility (copy of DD-214) must be submitted at time of application, or later if the promulgation of the eligibility list will not be delayed. Veterans' preference credit will only be applied to eligible applicants who attained a passing grade (total score exclusive of credit) on the final open examination.

ABOUT OUR CITY

The City of Escondido is a prominent agricultural, commercial hub and residential center of North San Diego County. Located a short 30-minute drive from the beach, the mountains or downtown San Diego, Escondido residents enjoy the pleasure of a rural lifestyle with all the benefits of suburban living. Escondido is a diverse, vibrant community with many amenities. The city offers attractive homes in a wide range of prices, two lakes, several parks, a sports center, golf courses, restaurants, wineries, shopping centers, a variety of art galleries, entertainment venues, and a state of the art hospital. Established in 1888, the city's rich past brings charm and stability to the community; yet integrated with Escondido's treasured heritage is a progressive future, bright and brimming with promise.

EOE The City of Escondido does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.

The City of Escondido offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.

The Benefits of Choice program offers you a range of benefits. You choose the coverage that is right for you, your family and your budget. Read this e-Guide for an overview of your options, with links to additional details and forms.

For a more detailed overview of this benefits package, please visit the Maintenance and Operations Benefit Summary

Closing Date/Time: 10/6/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Escondido

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