Red Seal Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic – Service Technician
Island West Refrigeration Ltd. – Campbell River, BC
Island West Refrigeration is looking for an experienced Red Seal Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic to join our service team.
This position is intended for a well-rounded journeyman who is comfortable working on both HVAC and refrigeration equipment. We work on a very wide range of systems, from residential heating and cooling equipment to commercial refrigeration, rooftop equipment, boilers, ventilation systems, controls, and larger facilities such as arenas and hockey rinks.
We do not expect one technician to already be an expert on every specialized system we encounter. Specialized equipment and facilities will come with additional training and support. What we do expect is a technician with a strong understanding of the fundamentals who can approach unfamiliar equipment logically, troubleshoot it properly, and build on their existing knowledge.
What You’ll Work On
Our service work can include:
- Residential heat pumps, air conditioners, furnaces and air handlers
- Ductless and ducted HVAC systems
- Commercial rooftop units and packaged equipment
- Walk-in coolers and freezers
- Reach-in and commercial refrigeration equipment
- Refrigeration condensing units and evaporators
- Hydronic heating and boiler systems
- Pumps, heat exchangers and associated mechanical systems
- Ventilation, HRV and ERV systems
- Electrical and electronic controls
- Commercial buildings and institutional facilities
- Arenas, hockey rinks and other specialized refrigeration systems
The variety is significant. One day may involve a residential heat pump and the next could involve a commercial refrigeration system, boiler plant or arena.
What We’re Looking For
Red Seal Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic certification is required.
The right technician should have strong working knowledge of:
- Refrigeration cycle fundamentals
- Superheat and subcooling
- Refrigerant charging and system performance
- Compressors, evaporators, condensers and metering devices
- Electrical troubleshooting
- Motors, contactors, relays and capacitors
- Control circuits and safeties
- Airflow and static pressure
- Heating and cooling equipment
- Commercial refrigeration
- Reading wiring diagrams and schematics
- Using electrical and refrigeration test instruments
- Systematic troubleshooting and diagnostic procedures
You do not need to know every piece of equipment we service.
You do need to understand the fundamentals well enough that when you encounter something unfamiliar, you can work through the system logically rather than simply replacing parts until something works.
The Technician We Want
We are looking for someone who:
- Takes pride in diagnosing problems properly
- Is methodical in their work and approaches troubleshooting in a logical, organized way
- Applies that same attention to paperwork, service documentation and job records
- Can work independently without pretending to know something they don't
- Understands when to continue troubleshooting and when to ask for assistance
- Documents findings clearly and accurately
- Communicates professionally with customers and other technicians
- Keeps their work, van and tools organized
- Takes care of company tools, vehicles and equipment
- Is comfortable using computers, mobile apps, service software and modern technology
- Can adapt to new software and digital systems without significant difficulty
- Is interested in continuing to learn
- Is comfortable working on a wide variety of equipment
- Wants to become a stronger technician rather than simply perform repetitive work
We value technicians who understand why a system works, not just how to change components.
Hours & Service Expectations
Our normal working hours are:
Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
This is a service technician position, and service work does not always end neatly at 4:30 PM.
A technician must be comfortable with occasional overtime, working later than scheduled and completing service calls when circumstances require it, including situations where the extended hours were not planned at the beginning of the day.
We make every effort to operate within normal working hours, but applicants should understand that refrigeration and HVAC service work occasionally requires flexibility.
Service Vehicle
A company service van is provided for the position and may be taken home.
The technician is responsible for keeping the vehicle reasonably clean, organized and properly stocked, and for taking care of the vehicle and equipment provided.
Training & Specialized Equipment
Because of the range of work Island West performs, technicians may encounter equipment they have not previously worked on.
We provide training and support for specialized systems where required.
We are not expecting someone to arrive already trained as an arena refrigeration specialist, controls expert, boiler specialist and residential HVAC technician all at once.
What we need is a strong refrigeration and HVAC journeyman with good fundamentals. Specialized knowledge can be developed from there.
Experience
Applicants should have previous service experience in the refrigeration and air conditioning trade.
Preference will be given to technicians with experience across multiple areas of the trade rather than experience limited exclusively to one equipment type.
Commercial refrigeration experience is strongly valued.
Requirements
- Red Seal Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic certification
- Valid driver's licence
- Strong refrigeration and HVAC troubleshooting ability
- Ability to work independently
- Methodical and organized approach to troubleshooting and service work
- Strong attention to paperwork and service documentation
- General comfort with computers, mobile devices, software and technology
- Professional communication with customers and coworkers
- Willingness to participate in continued training
- Willingness to occasionally work overtime or later than scheduled when service conditions require it
- Ability to perform the physical requirements of the refrigeration and HVAC trade
Additional certifications such as gas fitting, electrical, controls, boiler or other mechanical experience are considered assets but are not required.
About Island West Refrigeration
Island West Refrigeration is a Campbell River-based refrigeration and HVAC contractor working throughout a wide range of residential, commercial and institutional environments.
Our work is deliberately varied. We service everything from residential HVAC equipment and commercial refrigeration to larger mechanical systems and specialized refrigeration facilities.
For the right technician, this position provides the opportunity to continue developing into a genuinely well-rounded refrigeration and HVAC mechanic rather than being limited to one narrow area of the trade.
Pay: $45.00-$65.00 per hour
Expected hours: 30.0 – 60.0 per week
Benefits:
- Company car
- Dental care
- On-site parking
- Tuition reimbursement
Experience:
- HVAC/R: 4 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
Location:
- Campbell River, BC V9W 3G2 (required)
Work Location: In person
