HVAC Technician Senior

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.

Knowledge, Skills & 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.