Service and Repair Mechanic (HVAC-R)

Buffalo State is one of the largest comprehensive schools in the State University of New York system. As a civically minded, urban-engaged campus community located in the city’s cultural corridor, Buffalo State prides itself as having smaller learning environments coupled with larger university opportunities. Boasting a diverse and inclusive campus, Buffalo State is committed to the intellectual, personal, and professional growth of its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The school’s mission is to deliver a broad array of high-quality and distinctive academic programs infused with diversity, creativity, and hands-on learning opportunities for hardworking students who seek a personalized and affordable education that engages their minds and advances their careers. Buffalo State is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, service, scholarship, creative activity, and cultural enrichment. With degree programs in education, the arts, science, arts and humanities, and professional studies, each year over 6,000 students choose Buffalo State. Buffalo State welcomes applicants who are committed to helping us fulfill our mission.

06/13/2026

Facilities Office

TBD

Service and Repair Mechanic (HVAC-R)

SG-12

Full-Time

Non-Exempt

CSEA

Contingent Permanent

Non-Competitive (1)

Monday- Friday, 7:00am – 3:30pm
(overtime, work on holidays, and non-scheduled days may be required)

Service & Repair Mechanics (HVAC-R) are responsible for the operation, maintenance, repair and installation of heating, refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment; supervising and training other members of the operation and maintenance staff including skilled, semiskilled and unskilled workers, in servicing and repairing heating, refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment; and work with the considerable independence.

Work in HVAC-R includes overhauling compressors, pumps and electric motors, replacing parts and controls, and installing new equipment.

Performs required periodic maintenance and emergency repairs on heating, refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.

• Inspects, tests, diagnoses trouble and dismantles malfunctioning systems and components.
• Overhauls compressors, pumps and electric motors, replacing parts as necessary.
• Overhauls and replaces control devices, calibrating and recalibrating them as necessary.
• Rewires electrical systems of components as necessary.
• Performs seasonal start-up and shut-down operations on air-conditioning units and systems to ensure efficient operation and to prevent freeze-ups.
• Locates and seals leaks in both gas and brine units, removes air from lines and replaces with proper refrigerant.

Installs new equipment both as replacement units and new installations.

• Studies blueprints and schematic drawings to identify the location, size and type of components.
• Lays out reference points for the installation of components using structural measuring tools.
• As necessary assembles components of system for installation following written and schematic instructions.
• Mounts compressors, condensers and other components in specified locations.
• Cuts, threads and connects or welds tubing to inlets and outlets of components.
• Installs control mechanisms with wrenches and acetylene torches.
• Tests lines, connections and components for leaks with leak detector which indicates the presence of refrigerant.
• May install electric wiring to connect components to power source.
• Records temperature and pressure readings from gauges and temperature potentiometer and compares readings with manufacturer’s specifications.
• Adjusts controls to bring readings within specifications as required.

As assigned, supervises and trains Service & Repair Assistants (HVAC-R), Plant Utilities Assistants, and other trades positions in the repair and maintenance of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.

• Assigns work to staff providing oral and written instructions and diagrams as necessary.
• Demonstrates proper methods and procedures for performing work.
• Observes and inspects work in progress and at its completion to insure work is properly done.
• Performs journey level work as required.

As required, operates a motor vehicle to transport material, equipment and personnel to job sites around a State facility.

Must be able to perform all the physical duties of the position as described in the Position Summary.

Candidate must also have the ability to stand, bend, stoop, sit, twist, lift over 50 pounds, work independently, work at elevated heights using ladders and scaffolds, and perform work in confined and/or restricted access areas such as air handling units for extended periods of time.

Visa Sponsorship is not available.

Must have a valid NYS Driver License.

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.

06/25/2026

No

Buffalo State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution that subscribes to all federal, state, and SUNY legal requirements and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or marital or veteran status (Nondiscrimination Notice). Any violation of this policy should be reported to the Equity and Diversity Office, Cleveland Hall 204, (716) 878-6210. Buffalo State is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Warnes at warnesje@buffalostate.edu or call (716) 878-4822.

All applicants are subject to a pre-employment background investigation. Our Pre-Employment Background Screening Policy is available at http://hr.buffalostate.edu/pre-employment-background-screening.

Applicants interested in positions may access the Annual Security Report (ASR) for SUNY Buffalo State at http://police.buffalostate.edu. The ASR contains information on campus security policies and certain campus crime statistics. Crime statistics are reported in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. Applicants may request a hard copy of the ASR by contacting the SUNY Buffalo State University Police Department at (716) 878-6333.

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.