COMMERCIAL HVAC CENTRAL PLANT OPERATOR

Chiller Plant Operations | Building HVAC | Mechanical Maintenance

Location: 6555 E Southern Ave, Mesa, AZ 85206

Employment: Full-Time

Reports To: HVAC Plant Manager

Schedule: Tuesday through Saturday

Important: This is a commercial building HVAC position—not a manufacturing, production, power-generation, or process-plant operator role. Qualified candidates must have hands-on experience with central chiller plant equipment and commercial HVAC systems.

Position Summary

The Commercial HVAC Central Plant Operator is a hands-on role responsible for operating, monitoring, maintaining, and helping repair the building’s central HVAC plant. Primary equipment includes chillers, cooling towers, condenser and chilled-water pumps, controls, and related mechanical systems. The operator also performs preventive maintenance and general repairs on HVAC equipment serving individual tenant suites, including package units, split systems, heat pumps, air handlers, exhaust fans, and related components.

This position is best suited for an experienced commercial HVAC technician or chiller plant operator who is comfortable working in a mechanical room, troubleshooting equipment, responding to service requests, and completing general building maintenance—not someone seeking a control-room-only position.

Primary Responsibilities

· Operate and monitor the central HVAC plant, including chillers, cooling towers, chilled-water and condenser-water pumps, valves, controls, and associated equipment.

· Perform plant rounds; record temperatures, pressures, flow, equipment status, and other operating readings; identify abnormal conditions and take appropriate action.

· Start, stop, stage, and adjust plant equipment as authorized to maintain reliable comfort, efficiency, and system performance.

· Complete preventive maintenance and basic repairs on central plant equipment and commercial HVAC systems.

· Troubleshoot and service package units, split systems, heat pumps, air handlers, fan coil units, exhaust fans, thermostats, belts, filters, motors, and related components serving tenant suites and common areas.

· Respond to HVAC complaints and work orders; diagnose problems, make repairs within skill level, and escalate specialized work when required.

· Perform general mechanical and building maintenance, including minor plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and other repairs as assigned.

· Maintain accurate plant logs, preventive maintenance records, work-order notes, and equipment documentation.

· Coordinate safely with the Plant Manager, maintenance team, vendors, and contractors during service, repairs, and larger projects.

· Follow lockout/tagout, PPE, chemical-handling, refrigerant, OSHA, and company safety requirements.

· Participate in rotating on-call, after-hours, weekend, or emergency response coverage if required by the site.

Required Experience and Qualifications

· At least 2 years of hands-on commercial HVAC experience, including direct work with chillers, cooling towers, pumps, and hydronic systems.

· Practical experience operating or supporting a central chilled-water HVAC plant in a commercial building, campus, hospital, hotel, mall, or similar facility.

· Ability to read gauges and operating data, recognize abnormal conditions, and troubleshoot mechanical and HVAC problems.

· Experience servicing smaller commercial HVAC equipment such as package units, split systems, heat pumps, air handlers, and exhaust fans.

· Strong mechanical aptitude and willingness to perform general maintenance in addition to HVAC plant duties.

· Ability to use hand tools, meters, diagnostic equipment, building controls, and computerized work-order or maintenance systems.

· High school diploma or equivalent and a valid driver’s license in good standing.

· Ability to work independently, communicate clearly, document completed work, and collaborate with a maintenance team.

· Ability to safely lift and carry up to 50 pounds and perform physical work involving ladders, mechanical rooms, rooftops, bending, kneeling, and standing for extended periods.

Preferred Qualifications

· HVAC trade-school training or equivalent technical education.

· EPA Section 608 certification.

· Experience with building automation systems (BAS), variable-frequency drives (VFDs), water treatment, and preventive maintenance programs.

· Relevant HVAC, chiller, stationary engineer, or plant operator license/certification where required by local law.

What Success Looks Like

· The central plant is operated safely, reliably, and efficiently.

· Plant readings, logs, preventive maintenance, and work orders are accurate and completed on time.

· HVAC issues affecting tenant suites and common areas are diagnosed and addressed promptly.

· Equipment concerns are identified early, communicated clearly, and escalated before they become major failures.

Compensation and Benefits

· Competitive pay based on commercial HVAC and chiller plant experience.

· Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

· Paid time off and paid holidays.

· 401(k), short-term disability, and long-term disability.

· Training and professional development opportunities.

Pay: $36.25 - $38.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person