Service & Repair Mechanic (HVAC-R)

Position Information

Position Summary

The Service & Repair Mechanic (HVAC-R) is responsible for the installation, maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems to ensure the safe and efficient operation of campus facilities. The incumbent performs preventive maintenance, emergency repairs, inspections, and diagnostic testing on HVAC-R equipment, components, and controls. The position is responsible for installing and replacing equipment, interpreting blueprints and schematics, and repairing mechanical, electrical, and refrigeration systems to maintain performance and reliability. The position also utilizes specialized tools and testing equipment, responds to service requests, and supports facility operations in compliance with applicable safety and environmental standards.

Schedule: 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with Saturday and Sunday pass days.

Salary: $52,694

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What makes SUNY Cortland a great place to work?

• Our positions provide predictable salary progressions, and many offer permanency.
• Generous benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, various retirement program options, paid family leave and/or parental leaves, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, long term disability and tuition reimbursement.
• SUNY Cortland prioritizes work-life balance and well-being in all forms. The university’s state-of-the-art Student Life Center is free for employees to use, with membership options for families. Alternate work schedules are available with a supervisor’s approval.
• Professional development opportunities exist through training, continuing education programs, tuition reimbursement and conference travel, based on funding.
• Cortland County and surrounding areas offer easy access to arts, entertainment, outdoor recreation and much more. Experience Cortland dives deep into the region’s offerings

Major Responsibilities

Installation

• Install new equipment both as replacement units and new installations.
• Mount compressors, condensers and other components in specified locations.
• Assemble components of system for installation following written and schematic instructions.
• Install control mechanisms with wrenches and acetylene torches.

Maintenance and Repair

• Perform required periodic maintenance and emergency repairs on refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.
• Perform seasonal start-up and shut-down operations on air-conditioning units and systems to insure efficient operation and freeze-ups.
• Locate and seal leaks in both gas and brine units, remove air from lines and replace with proper refrigerant.
• Overhaul and replace control devices, calibrating and re-calibrating them as necessary.
• Rewire electrical systems of components as necessary.
• Adjust controls to bring readings within specifications as required.
• Cut, thread and connect/weld tubing to inlets and outlets of components.
• Install electric wiring to connect components to power source.
• Overhaul compressors, pumps and electric motors, replacing parts and controls as necessary and installing new equipment.

Inspection, Testing and Diagnostics

• Inspect, test, diagnose trouble and dismantle malfunctioning systems and components.
• Test lines, connections and components for leaks with leak detector which indicates the presence of refrigerant.
• Record temperature and pressure readings from gauges and temperature potentiometer and compare readings with manufacturer’s specifications.

Blueprints and Layout

• Study blueprints and schematic drawings to identify the location, size and type of components.
• Lay out reference points for the installation of components using structural measuring tools.

Transportation

• Operate motor vehicle to transport material, equipment and personnel to job sites around facility as required.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships

• Reports directly to the Plant Utility Engineer 2
• Works closely with the Plant Utility Engineer 1’s and the other HVAC techs.
• May supervise FOA 1’s or Maintenance Assistants during projects.

Required Qualifications

Non-Competitive: Successful completion of a NYS two-year Service & Repair Mechanic (HVAC-R) Traineeship or NYS two-year refrigeration repair and maintenance training program; OR successful completion of any equivalent refrigeration two-year training or apprenticeship program;* OR four (4) years of full-time experience in the mechanical or electrical trades under a skilled journey-level mechanic or electrician which would provide training equivalent to that given in an apprenticeship program, one (1) year of which must include both training and work in the operation and maintenance of commercial type refrigeration or air-conditioning equipment. Apprenticeship training in the mechanical or electrical trades or training gained by completion of technical courses in the mechanical or electrical trades at a school, institute, or branch of the Armed Services may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

• Successful completion of the traineeship and the training program includes a total of 288 hours of trade-specific class room instruction, 45 hours of technical math course work, 45 hours of technical communications course work, and 15 hours of blueprint/schematic reading course work. Course work must be completed with an average of “C” or better. Additionally, successful completion of the traineeship also includes 4,000 hours of on-the-job training.

When required to operate motor vehicles, candidates must possess a valid New York State driver’s license appropriate for the type of vehicle to be operated.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification in HVAC-R, refrigeration, controls, or a related trade discipline.
• Valid New York State driver’s license.
• OSHA safety training (10-hour or 30-hour) or equivalent safety certifications.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Working Knowledge of:

• Safe and efficient operation of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.
• Procedures, materials and tools used in the maintenance, repair and installation of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.
• Properties and qualities of the various refrigeration gases and solutions.

Ability to:

• Read and interpret technical manuals, specifications, blueprints and schematic drawings.
• Lay out and draw rough sketches and diagrams of work to be performed.
• Recognize and rectify mechanical and electrical problems existing in refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.
• Train and supervise skilled, semiskilled and relatively unskilled workers.
• Perform medium to heavy physical labor.

About the University

A top public university of approximately 6,600 students located in the geographic center of New York State, SUNY Cortland provides accessible, affordable education to students from across the U.S. body. One of 13 comprehensive universities in the State University of New York system, SUNY Cortland prides itself on its rigorous undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts, sciences, education, and professional studies. For more than 150 years, SUNY Cortland has provided unmistakable value for students seeking a well-rounded academic, athletic, and social experience. The University ranks among the top campuses in the nation on Money magazine’s “Best Colleges for Your Money List,” fields a powerhouse Division III athletics program and boasts an impressive network of alumni making a difference in education, business, government, fitness, medicine and many other fields.

EEO Statement

SUNY is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants, including individuals with disabilities. Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application, interview, or hiring process may request an accommodation by contacting our HR ADA Coordinator in Miller Room 302, 607-753-2302, hr@cortland.edu. Requests for accommodation will be considered consistent with applicable law. This process is separate from, and does not require, any voluntary self-identification of disability status.

Job Close Date

11/21/2026

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number: S26046

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting: https://jobs.cortland.edu/postings/11792

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. • Have you successfully completed a NYS two-year Service & Repair Mechanic (HVAC-R) Traineeship or NYS two-year refrigeration repair and maintenance training program; OR have you successfully completed of an equivalent refrigeration two-year training or apprenticeship program? - successful completion of the traineeship and the training program includes a total of 288 hours of trade-specific classroom instruction, 45 hours of technical math course work, and 14 hours of blueprint/schematic reading course work. Course work must be completed with a grade of C or better. Additionally, successful completion of the traineeship also includes 4,000 hours of on-the-job training.
     • yes
     • no
2. • If yes to two years experience, please detail the specifics below. It is imperative you be as specific as you can, including, but not limited to, dates, and the name(s) of the journey level trades worker.
     (Open Ended Question)
3. • Do you possess at least four years of full-time experience under a skilled journey level mechanic or electrician which would provide the training equivalent to that given in an apprenticeship program, one year of which must include both training and work in the operation and maintenance of commercial type refrigeration or air-conditioning equipment. Apprenticeship training in the mechanical or electrical trades or training gained by completion of technical courses in the mechanical or electrical trades at a school, institute, or branch of the Armed Services may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
     • yes
     • no
4. • If yes to the four years of experience under a journeyman or training, please detail the specifics below. Be sure to include training course and/or the journeyman's name and trade. It is your responsibility to be as complete as possible to prove your qualifications for this position.
     (Open Ended Question)
5. • This position requires candidates to be able to perform moderate to heavy physical labor. Are you able to perform this function with or without a reasonable accommodation?
     • yes
     • no
6. • This position will require frequent use of ladders, scaffolding, and some mechanical lifts. Are you able to meet this requirement with or without a reasonable accommodation?
     • yes
     • no
7. • Overtime, both during the normal workweek and during the weekend is a requirement of this position. Are you willing and able to regularly work overtime?
     • Yes
     • No