REFRIGERATION MECHANIC

Code: 03047@ Local Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, maintains and repairs refrigeration and/or air conditioning equipment; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Diagnoses the cause of malfunctions to refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and makes repairs.
• Tests various components of refrigeration systems such as compressors, relays, and thermostats to locate source of malfunction.
• Inspects refrigeration machinery including cooler and freezer units, using testing techniques and tools for locating worn or broken parts to recognize the cause of faulty equipment.
• Performs visual, audible, and mechanical checks to locate defective parts.
• Listens to operation of machinery and detects malfunctions such as piston slaps, noisy valves, connecting rod knocks, and rattling supports.
• Reads thermometers, gauges, and temperatures of conditioned spaces.
• Looks for loose connections, faulty insulation, and frayed/loose belts, gaskets, and pulleys.
• Replaces major portions of different types of cooling or refrigeration units such as compressors, condensers, expansion valves, floats and service valves, thermostats, coils, and so forth to make repairs according to accepted trade practice.
• Cuts tubing to correct lengths, and bends and joins them to various refrigeration units with sleeves, couplings, or unions to provide a complete circuit for the refrigerant.
• Performs standard maintenance repairs on various components of cooling (refrigeration) systems which may include any of the following: (1) rotary pump compressors; (2) various refrigerant controls such as low and high pressure switches, automatic thermostatic expansion valves, capillary or choke type or those based on volume or quantity changes; (3) various motor controls such as hermetically sealed motors and pressure controls, thermostatic motor controls (remote), full and semiautomatic defrosting controls, relays and other similar controls to protect against overloads or overheating.
• Dismantles, repairs, and reassembles units such as pumps, impellers, compressors, chillers, receivers, and evaporators.
• Tests operation of thermostats using meters and test lamps.
• Tests efficiency of systems by using thermometers to make adjustments to thermostatic controls and blowers.
• Overhauls valves by adjusting or replacing gaskets, springs, floats, diaphragms, valve fittings, seals, and couplings to make complex repairs to various units of the system.
• Determines the location and kind of faulty equipment and types of supplies and repairs needed to repair different systems.
• Repairs systems which use a variety of methods of air conditioning/refrigeration such as mechanical compression or vapor compression.
• Installs refrigeration equipment according to blueprints and specifications.
• Cleans condenser coils and evaporator plates.
• Checks air flow and replaces air filters if necessary.
• Starts system, observes operation, reads gauges and instruments, and adjusts mechanisms such as valves, controls, and pumps to control level of fluid, pressure, and temperature in system to ensure that the entire system is operating properly.
• Checks electrical connections for tightness and condition of wiring.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

Three (3) years of experience in work involving a variety of tasks in the maintenance and repair of refrigeration equipment used in refrigerating plants and/or for conditioning air and cooling water in buildings.

License

/CERTIFICATION

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Appointees will be required to possess a valid Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician Certification of the appropriate level, commensurate with the type of equipment serviced, issued under the authority of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of principles and theories of refrigeration cycles and temperature measurement.
• Knowledge of the construction and operation of a variety of refrigeration units and systems.
• Knowledge of electric wire diagrams and schematics.
• Knowledge of the safety practices and precautions used in the repair and maintenance of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment.
• Knowledge of the use and care of tools used to prepare air conditioning and refrigeration equipment.
• Knowledge of the refrigeration cycle of a variety of commercial type systems to locate and check elements which control low side and high side pressure.
• Knowledge of principles and theories of air conditioning and refrigeration.
• Ability to check temperature of cooling units and liquid and suction lines.
• Ability to check temperatures of liquid and suction lines.
• Ability to check the running time of various mechanisms.
• Ability to perform visual and audible checks of equipment components for leaks.
• Ability to dismantle and reassemble units such as pumps, impellers, compressors, chillers, receivers, and evaporators.
• Ability to perform more complex repairs such as installing and fitting crank shafts, piston rings, bearings, and bushings.
• Ability to overhaul valves by replacing/adjusting gaskets, overhauling springs, floats, diaphragms, valve fittings, seals and couplings, and aligning motors and fly wheel drives.
• Ability to carry and lift parts and equipment weighing 50 pounds.
• Ability to use hoists, pulleys, and so forth when removing units such as large compressors, condensers, and chillers.
• Ability to work from ladders, scaffolding, or platforms.
• Ability to calculate air flow and pressure temperature characteristics for different systems to locate and repair faulty equipment.
• Ability to service power sources to insulate exposed wire and to make splices.
• Ability to clean and lubricate moving parts.
• Ability to replace major portions of units such as compressors, condensers, expansion valves, thermostats, coils, and drive assemblies.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Abilitd units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.