HVAC Technician II at Rice University in Houston, Texas

Job Description:

Special Instructions to Applicants : In PDF form, applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. A cover letter is welcomed but not required.

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in how we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name - RICE - Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

Position Summary

The HVAC Technician II performs skilled work involving the routine installation, adjustment, operation, repair, and maintenance of building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and refrigeration equipment; will also perform more complex work alongside and/or with close supervision from the HVAC Supervisor and/or HVAC Lead Technician. This is an intermediate to advanced level HVAC Technician position.

The ideal candidate has experience working in a team environment and experience working with HVAC-specific mechanical equipment (air handlers, AC units, chillers, etc.) and refrigeration systems (condensers, compressors, evaporators, etc.).

Workplace Requirements

This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in-person at F&CP HVAC Shop, Monday through Friday, from 6:30 am to 3:00 pm. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

This role is classified as an essential position, requiring on-site presence to effectively carry out its vital functions.

Hiring Range

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the hiring range is $22.00 to $25.00 an hour, contingent upon qualifications and experience. *Non-Exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• 
  2 plus years of experience in industrial, institutional, or commercial HVAC and refrigeration systems
  
  
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
  
  
• Universal EPA Refrigerant Certification
• Texas Registered HVAC Technician

Skills:

• General knowledge of institutional, commercial HVAC, and refrigeration systems
• General ability to read mechanical blueprints and electrical schematic diagrams associated with HVAC and refrigeration systems
• General mechanical aptitude
• General computer aptitude

Preferences

• High School Diploma
• HVAC and refrigeration training courses or completed associated degree
• HVAC/R Certified Technician
• Background with building controls systems, particularly those found on school or university campuses
• Knowledge of HVAC and refrigeration safety standards
• Valid Texas Driver's License (or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment) required with no more than three moving violations or at-fault accidents within the past 36 months and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past 5 years

Essential Functions

• Installs, maintains, and repairs the direct expansion air conditioning and refrigeration units
• Troubleshoots, adjusts, calibration, and performs minor repairs of HVAC control components and systems in response to service requests
• Repairs and adjusts air handling equipment systems
• Enters work orders and daily work time on a computer
• Performs preventative maintenance on HVAC and refrigeration equipment and systems
• Repairs and maintains pumps, valves, and pipe fittings for HVAC-R systems
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Working Conditions

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to lift loads no greater than 50 lbs.
• Must be able to climb stairs, ladders, scaffolding, and work around confined areas with piping and wiring obstructions, as needed, to access equipment
• Requires moderate to heavy physical activity, including bending, stooping, climbing, balancing, standing, and walking up to 8 hours per day
• Occasionally required to enter utility tunnels and confined spaces

Physical Environment:

• Requires exposure to high-pressure boilers and steam piping, high voltage electricity, high noise levels, rotating and other potentially dangerous equipment
• Requires work in mechanical rooms, tunnels, labs, attics, crawl spaces, non-conditioned spaces, and dusty, dirty, and wet conditions.
• Requires personal protective equipment such as hearing protection, safety shoes, and safety glasses

Work Hours and Travel:

• After-hours work may be required, or other work outside the regular schedule may be needed
• Available on a continuous "on-call" basis for response to problems and emergencies that affect campus operations
• May require periodic travel to classes, conferences, and vendor sites as needed

Essential Personnel:

• This position is considered essential during a campus emergency. The incumbent in this position is expected to report to campus, provide the essential services designated, and work under the overall direction of the Crisis Management Team for the duration of a campus emergency.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University's Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.

Apply Now