How to Apply

ONLY NON-TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THESE POSITIONS.

Candidates for Skilled Trades Apprenticeships must submit a detailed resume outlining work experience, education, skills, and relevant non-work/personal experience. Candidates must submit a cover letter to summarize their interest in and qualifications for an apprenticeship in the Skilled Trades. Cover letters must specifically answer the following questions:

Candidates who meet the requirements as stated above with their resume and cover letter will be invited to take a mechanical aptitude test.

Candidates who score sufficiently high on the mechanical aptitude test will be reviewed and evaluated by the Joint Apprenticeship Committee to be further considered for this position, and determine who may be invited for an interview.

Interviewed candidates may be invited for an additional interview who are being considered further for this position.

Summary

As an apprentice, learn and perform the duties of a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC-R) Mechanic, under the direction of Skilled Trades Journeypersons in the trade. Work environment may include very hot or cold conditions; working at heights, on ladders, scaffolds, or platform trucks; and in crawl spaces, interstitials, or otherwise confined spaces

As an apprentice, operate, service, and maintain direct expansion and steam absorption air conditioning and refrigeration equipment; maintain gas fired heating systems; operate, service, and maintain associated heat transfer systems including chilled water pumps; piping and coils; cooling towers and condenser water pumps and piping; air handling units; pneumatic, electrical, DDC and electronic control systems; valves, instrumentation and auxiliary equipment.

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

Responsibilities*

Perform the following duties as an apprentice:

• Analyze and maintain air conditioning, refrigeration, and chiller plants including: control systems; pump distribution; chillers; cooling towers; condenser water systems; water treatment; refrigerant flow devices; control systems; fan systems, and terminal equipment.
• Operate, service, and maintain chillers, cooling towers, chilled water and condenser water pumping systems, and control and instrumentation systems
• Service, install, and maintain refrigeration equipment including reach-in and walk-in coolers; air driers; self-contained rooftop units; ice machines; ultra-low temperature freezers; and other refrigeration equipment.
• Service and maintain gas-fired heating units
• Maintain and service humidification and dehumidification systems (excluding regulated pressure vessel components)
• Maintain and service refrigerant type air dryer systems.
• Establish system performance operating parameters and test to assure system performance parameters are being met.
• Read, interpret and generate sequence of operation for HVAC equipment and systems. Read and utilize DDC programming code.
• Perform test and balance work.
• Maintain and adjust fluids including, oils, refrigerants, and absorption chiller solutions. Service and maintain air conditioning, refrigeration, and chiller plant systems including:
• Disassemble units for repair; perform major overhauls of absorption and centrifugal chillers; service pumps, strainers and filters; test and rebuild vacuum pumps, damper motors, water and refrigerant coils; conduct eddy current testing; and other components in air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation distribution systems.
• Read and interpret diagrams, sketches, and job specifications related to air conditioning, gas fired heating, and refrigeration systems, and apply information from technical literature such as manufacturer’s equipment documentation and building operation and maintenance documentation.
• Maintain and use records such as equipment logs as required to document system and work performance.
• Maintain chemical levels for chilled and condenser water treatment systems.
• Operate air distribution systems within buildings.
• Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair reciprocating (piston), scroll, screw, rotary and centrifugal air compressors.
• Utilize refrigeration cycles and the proper use of various refrigerants.
• Balance and treat chilled and condenser water systems, sequence chiller operations, clean tube bundles, manage chiller fluids and purge chiller.
• Fill out log sheets relating to chemical treatment activities and take oil and refrigerant samples, and test for acidity and moisture content.
• Drain and fill chilled water, hot water, and condenser water systems.
• Be aware of and follow regulatory requirements.
• Check and verify accuracy of thermometers and pressure gauges.
• Clean cooling tower sumps, chiller water, condenser and evaporator coils; repair cooling tower water distribution headers and apply condenser water lay-up treatment.
• Fill out refrigerant compliance forms, system log sheets, water treatment logs, and other necessary departmental paperwork.
• Service and maintain thermostats, VAV boxes, TEC’s, lab ventilation equipment, and fan coil units.
• Respond to HVAC complaints and provide customer service.

Required Qualifications*

• Excellent work performance history.
• Desire and aptitude for working in the HVAC-R trade.
• Willingness and ability to attend classes outside of work time without compensation, and successfully complete a course to study for up to 5 years.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills and ability to follow the directions of a Skilled Trades Journeyperson are required.
• Graduation from high school or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to exercise tact and discretion in relationships with others.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the classification in areas that can be located at high elevations; behind or beneath obstacles; in confined spaces; subject to high heat; underground; in walls or floors; inside or outside buildings.
• Ability to observe safety precautions in the operation of tools, power equipment, and machinery.
• Must meet the necessary requirements to drive a University vehicle.
• Cover letter and resume are required.

Desired Qualifications*

• Considerable knowledge of tools, equipment, and processes used in one or more of the Mechanical, Architectural, or Electrical Trades.
• Considerable knowledge of construction and or maintenance processes.
• Work experience in a maintenance or construction related field.
• Work experience with a computerized work management system.
• Coursework in college-level algebra, geometry, science, mechanical or trades-related instruction.
• Ability to read blueprints, sketches, wiring diagrams.
• Work experience with the safe use of hand and powered tools.

Work Schedule

The Apprenticeship Program includes rotations to different work areas to allow for more opportunities for training experiences. Hours may vary depending upon job assignment.

Prior to completion of the apprenticeship program, the shift and work location of the apprentice will be determined by management.

Additional Information

This posting is for two open positions. Salary: Skilled Trades Apprentice Pay Grade A7

The University of Michigan is in partnership with Washtenaw Community College for training its HVAC-R Mechanic Apprentices.

This apprenticeship will include rotations on campus and with Michigan Medicine. While on rotation with Michigan Medicine, you will be required to comply with their Mandatory Influenza Vaccination Policy.

Facilities and Operations seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan, to sustain the excellence of the university, and to offer our students richly varied disciplines, perspectives and ways of knowing and learning.

Union Affiliation

This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the U-M Skilled Trades Union, Inc., which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.