Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (AC&R) Technician

United Support Services, Inc., founded in 2003, is an innovative engineering and technology business headquartered in San Diego, CA. We have an exciting new opportunity and are adding to our berthing and messing maintenance team. As an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician (AC&R) for our facility on the Portsmouth Naval Base in Kittery, Maine, you will be responsible for performing various training and assistance in the support of heating, cooling, air conditioning and refrigeration systems onboard U.S. Navy vessels and all facilities tasks related to work areas. USS offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits!

*Military Veterans highly encouraged to apply*

Duties and Responsibilities

• Must have a Universal EPA Certification.


• Must possess strong analytical, problem solving and organization skills.


• Effective communication skills to be able to make maintenance recommendations.


• Install, service, and repair environmental-control systems on berthing and messing craft, utilizing knowledge of refrigeration and steam theory, pipefitting and structural layout.


• Repair systems that utilize a variety of methods for air conditioning and heating such as mechanical compression, vapor compression, absorption, steam jet or air cycle.


• Capability of maintaining and repairing a variety of domestic and commercial refrigeration units such as walk-in and reach-in coolers, refrigerators, water coolers, freezers, water and juice dispensers, ice machines, salad bars, mini split units 10-ton AC Chillers, 90-ton Carrier AC Chillers and other equipment of comparable complexity.


• Mounts compressor and condenser units, using hand tools, following blueprints or engineering specifications.


• Fabricate, assemble and install ductwork and chassis parts, using portable metalworking tools and welding equipment.


• Install evaporator unit in chassis or in air-duct system, using hand tools.


• Cut and bend tubing to correct length and shape, using cutting and bending equipment and tools.


• Cut and thread pipes using machine-threading or hand-threading equipment.


• Join tubing or pipes to various refrigerating units by means of sleeves, couplings or unions, and solders joints, using torch, forming complete circuit for refrigerant.


• Install expansion and discharge valves in circuit.


• Connect motors, compressors, temperature controls, humidity controls and circulating ventilation fans to control panels and connect control panels to power source.


• Install air and water filters on completed installation. Injects small amount of refrigerant into compressor to test systems and adds freon gas to build up prescribed operating pressure.


• Observe pressure and vacuum gauges and adjust controls to ensure proper operation.


• Test joints and connections for gas leaks, using gauges or soap-and-water solution.


• Wrap pipes in insulation batting and secure them in place.


• Replace defective breaker controls, thermostats, switches, fuses, and electrical wiring to repair installed units, using electrician’s hand tools and test equipment.


• May install, repair and service air conditioning units ranging from small window units to centralized units up to 300 tons cooling capacity.


• Prioritize work; plans testing procedures; selects test equipment; determines the work sequence; locates malfunctions; determines the proper kind and type of parts and materials required and completes the repairs or installations.


• Must be able to follow and refer to blueprints, manufacturers’ specifications, schematics, block diagrams, and technical orders as needed.


• Require little or no supervision or checks during the progress of his/her work assignments.


• Must have own basic tool kit.


• Per contract requirements, must be able to respond to urgent calls outside of regular working hours.


• Additional tasks and duties may be assigned.

Required Experience:

• High School Diploma/GED


• Must have an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA Type I, II, III and Universal Certification)


• Must be certified to handle, retrieve and recharge refrigerant (EPA Section 608 Certification).


• Ability to pass a government background check and obtain base access credentials.


• 5 years of shipboard Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (AC&R)/HVAC maintenance and repairs.


• Understanding of industrial U.S. Navy ship repair activities, as well as ship layout, configuration, control plates, placards, markings, and symbols.


• Knowledge of U.S. Navy AC&R equipment.


• Valid Driver’s License

Desired Skills:

• Understanding of ship electrical power, heating, air conditioning, refrigeration and isolation, hot work, confined spaces work, and fire-watches (Fire Safety Watch requirements).


• Ability to read technical manuals, policies, guidelines, and repair standards.


• Good verbal communication skills, report writing skills, and responsible to work independently at times.

ADA Notations

Ability to traverse narrow passageways, ladders/stairs, and confined spaces.

Requires walking, reaching, sitting and concentration in the presence of occasional noise.

Able to lift, carry and move objects up to 50 lbs. in weight.

Benefits:

• 401(k)


• 401(k) matching


• Dental insurance


• Employee assistance program


• Health insurance


• Life insurance


• Paid time off


• Vision insurance

Job Type: Full-time, Non-Exempt

United Support Services, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer.