HVAC Technician Senior

Department: Charlotte Area Transit System Department
Salary: $32.76 - $47.08 Commensurate with Experience

Thank you for your interest in joining the team that keeps Charlotte moving, at a very exciting time for our organization. At the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), we’re committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative transit services for our growing community, and we value employees who bring professionalism, passion, and a commitment to public service.

This position is currently employed by CATS, a department of the City of Charlotte. With the passage of the PAVE Act and last year’s sales tax referendum, CATS is preparing to transition from a City department to the newly created Metropolitan Public Transit Authority (MPTA). The MPTA was established to strengthen regional transit governance, improve accountability, and support long‑term investment in mobility. It’s an important and exciting step forward for transit in our region.

Employees hired into this role will remain City employees through December 31, 2026, and will transition to MPTA employment on January 1, 2027. Benefits and compensation will follow City provisions through 2026 and shift to MPTA provisions in 2027, with clear information shared in advance. Your core duties, reporting structure, and daily responsibilities will remain consistent, with no break in service. If anything delays the transition, your City employment, including compensation and benefits, will remain in place until the move to the MPTA occurs.

The creation of the MPTA positions us for a more modern, sustainable, and efficient transit system, one that can better support the Charlotte region for decades to come. We’re excited about what’s ahead and appreciate your interest in being part of it.

SUMMARY
The HVAC Technician II performs skilled maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and preventive maintenance on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and related mechanical systems at CATS facilities, stations, maintenance buildings, and other assigned operational sites. Reporting to the Facilities Maintenance Manager, this role helps ensure systems operate safely, reliably, and efficiently in support of employee work environments, equipment rooms, and passenger-facing facilities.

This position performs the same fundamental work as the HVAC Technician, with greater proficiency, efficiency, and independence in completing assignments within established procedures. The HVAC Technician II diagnoses more complex, intermittent, and difficult-to-isolate mechanical, electrical, and control problems; interprets electrical and control diagrams; uses building automation system information; and verifies the effectiveness of repairs. The role provides technical assistance to coworkers as needed and exercises judgment in identifying conditions requiring specialty or contractor support.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

HVAC Maintenance and Repair

- Inspect, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain air handlers, rooftop units, split systems, heat pumps, exhaust systems, and related equipment and components.
- Diagnose heating, cooling, airflow, ventilation, and equipment performance issues, including complex or intermittent problems involving mechanical components, electrical circuits, sensors, and controls.
- Observe equipment operation, take diagnostic measurements, and inspect components to isolate causes of malfunction and determine appropriate repairs.
- Dismantle equipment as needed to inspect, repair, replace, or adjust defective components; service thermostats, relays, contactors, sensors, motors, belts, pulleys, and other parts within assigned scope.
- Test equipment after repairs, verify proper system operation, and identify unresolved or recurring conditions requiring further attention.

Preventive Maintenance and Controls Support

- Perform filter changes, belt inspections, lubrication, coil cleaning, drain line maintenance, and other preventive maintenance tasks efficiently and consistently.
- Inspect systems for wear, damage, abnormal operation, and developing problems; recommend corrective actions to improve reliability and reduce repeat service calls.
- Read electrical schematics, wiring and control diagrams, maintenance manuals, and equipment specifications to support troubleshooting and repair.
- Use building automation systems (BAS) to review HVAC alarms, operating conditions, schedules, and available trend information; make authorized adjustments within established procedures.
- Support safe system startup and shutdown and identify issues requiring specialized controls, programming, or contractor assistance.

Service Response and Work Coordination

- Respond to service calls, temperature complaints, indoor air quality concerns, ventilation issues, and other assigned work requests; prioritize activities based on safety, service impact, and operational need.
- Complete assignments with dependable follow-through and sound judgment about repair approaches, work sequencing, and the need for additional support.
- Coordinate with supervisors, other trades staff, contractors, and facility personnel during repairs, inspections, planned outages, and special projects.
- Provide technical assistance to coworkers on troubleshooting methods, equipment operation, and repair practices as needed.
- Perform related general facility repairs, including minor plumbing, door hardware, and electrical component work, within training, authorization, and applicable trade requirements.

Documentation Materials and Work Standards

- Complete CMMS work orders and other required records, including diagnostic findings, repairs, test results, labor, and parts used.
- Maintain tools, diagnostic equipment, and consumables; identify repair parts and supply needs and keep work areas organized and clean.
- Assist with review of contractor HVAC work and verify service quality and equipment operation as directed.

Safety and Compliance

- Follow applicable OSHA requirements, lockout/tagout procedures, ladder and rooftop safety practices, and agency safety rules.
- Use required PPE, tools, gauges, meters, and diagnostic equipment safely; recognize hazards and report unsafe conditions.
- Perform refrigerant handling only within certification limits and in accordance with applicable requirements.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.

Core Competencies:

HVAC Systems Maintenance: Performs skilled HVAC maintenance and repair with the proficiency and efficiency needed to support dependable facility operations.

- Completes routine and more demanding repairs with consistent workmanship.
- Verifies system performance before closing work orders.
- Uses time, tools, and materials effectively.

Troubleshooting and Technical Problem Solving: Uses systematic diagnostic methods to identify and resolve complex, intermittent, and recurring HVAC problems.

- Interprets mechanical, electrical, and control system behavior.
- Uses diagrams, measurements, and BAS information to isolate causes.
- Recognizes when specialty expertise or additional support is needed.

Preventive Maintenance and Equipment Care: Performs thorough maintenance and identifies developing conditions affecting system reliability and equipment life.

- Completes inspections and maintenance tasks consistently.
- Identifies wear and abnormal conditions before failures occur.
- Recommends practical corrective actions and follow-up.

Safety and Work Practices: Applies safe work practices and established requirements throughout HVAC and related facility maintenance activities.

- Follows lockout/tagout, rooftop, ladder, and PPE requirements.
- Uses diagnostic and service equipment safely.
- Recognizes hazards and works within training and authorization.

Reliability and Team Coordination: Completes assignments with sound judgment and communicates effectively with supervisors, coworkers, contractors, and facility personnel.

- Responds appropriately to routine and urgent service needs.
- Documents findings and completed work accurately.
- Shares technical knowledge and coordinates work effectively.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

- Commercial HVAC principles, refrigeration cycles, airflow, ventilation, and mechanical system components.
- Electrical circuits, control sequences, sensors, relays, contactors, and BAS functions related to HVAC operation.
- Preventive maintenance methods, component repair practices, and post-repair testing.
- Safety requirements for electrical work, refrigerant handling, ladders, rooftops, and lockout/tagout.

Skill in:

- Diagnosing complex, intermittent, and recurring HVAC performance issues.
- Interpreting electrical and control diagrams, technical manuals, and system operating information.
- Using gauges, meters, diagnostic equipment, and hand and power tools safely and effectively.
- Completing repairs efficiently and documenting findings, corrective actions, and verification results.

Ability to:

- Complete assignments independently within established procedures and adapt troubleshooting approaches to system conditions.
- Evaluate repair options and recognize limits requiring supervisory guidance or specialty support.
- Coordinate work across multiple facilities and communicate technical information clearly.
- Provide practical technical assistance to coworkers and respond to urgent service needs.
- Perform the physical activities required for HVAC and related facility maintenance work.

Minimum Qualifications:

- High school diploma or GED and five (5) years of experience in commercial, industrial, or institutional HVAC maintenance, repair, or installation; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience maintaining rooftop units, split systems, air handlers, heat pumps, exhaust systems, and related equipment.
- Demonstrated experience independently diagnosing and repairing more complex HVAC problems, including electrical and control-related issues.
- Experience interpreting electrical schematics and control diagrams and using gauges, meters, and HVAC diagnostic equipment.
- Ability to perform work in accordance with established safety procedures and standard trade practices.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Technical diploma, associate degree, apprenticeship completion, or other formal training in HVAC or a related trade.
- EPA refrigerant certification, including Universal certification, or other relevant HVAC trade certification.
- Experience using BAS for monitoring and troubleshooting and working with computerized maintenance management systems.
- Experience in public transit, transportation facilities, or other complex multi-site operating environments.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email [email protected]

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.

BENEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.

Click  here  to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.