The College of Veterinary Medicine invites applicants to apply for the position of HVAC Tradesman. The HVAC Tradesman is responsible for the installation, operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and modification of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and building automation systems within the College of Veterinary Medicine. This position ensures the reliable operation of environmental systems supporting animal care, surgical, laboratory, research, instructional, and administrative facilities. The HVAC Tradesman performs preventive and corrective maintenance, responds to service requests and emergencies, and collaborates with other maintenance trades to maintain a safe, comfortable, and compliant environment.

The Veterinary Medical Center is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, and 365 days per year. Occasional on-call, weekend, evening, or holiday work may be required of this position.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: High school diploma or Vocational/Trade School
• Experience: Minimum five (5) years of experience in commercial, institutional, healthcare, or industrial HVAC maintenance. Completion of a recognized HVAC apprenticeship program or equivalent work experience. Technical training in HVAC, refrigeration, or related trade. EPA Universal Refrigerant Certification. Valid driver's license.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Knowledge of chilled water, steam, hot water, and refrigeration systems. Knowledge of HVAC, refrigeration, ventilation, and building automation systems. Knowledge of chilled water, steam, hot water, and refrigerant-based systems. Knowledge of HVAC control sequences. Knowledge of Building Automation Systems (BAS), digital controls, and HVAC control sequences. Knowledge of applicable HVAC, mechanical, safety, and environmental codes and regulations. Knowledge of preventive and predictive maintenance practices. Ability to maintain environmental conditions critical to animal care, research, teaching, and healthcare operations.
  • Skill in diagnosing and repairing HVAC and refrigeration equipment. Skill in reading and interpreting blueprints, schematics, control diagrams, and technical manuals. Skill in using HVAC diagnostic instruments and testing equipment. Skill in operating lifts, power tools, and maintenance equipment safely.
  • Ability to operate a fork-lift, scissors lift and general power tools. Ability to identify and resolve HVAC equipment failures independently. Ability to prioritize work assignments in a fast-paced healthcare and research environment. Ability to maintain accurate maintenance records and documentation. Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, contractors, and vendors. Ability to respond to emergencies and perform work under pressure.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education: Associate’s degree
• Experience: Ten (10) years of experience in commercial, institutional, healthcare, or industrial HVAC maintenance. Experience working in a hospital, veterinary hospital, laboratory, research, or higher education environment. Experience with Building Automation Systems (BAS). Journeyman HVAC certification or equivalent trade credentials. Experience maintaining critical environmental systems

Work Location:

Knoxville, Tennessee

On-Site

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range: 07
• Anticipated hiring range: $50K-$60K
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

• Resume
• Cover Letter

About The College

The UT College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM), located in Knoxville, was established by an act of the Tennessee Legislature in 1974 and is part of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.

UTCVM is one of 33 veterinary colleges in the United States and provides opportunities for Tennessee students while serving pet owners and the livestock industry as well as protecting public health, enhancing medical knowledge and generating economic benefits to the state and nation.

Inspect, test, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair commercial and institutional HVAC, refrigeration, ventilation, and building automation systems to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operation. Monitor and maintain temperature, humidity, airflow, pressure relationships, and indoor air quality within patient care, research, instructional, and administrative spaces. Diagnose equipment malfunctions and repair or replace HVAC components including compressors, motors, fans, belts, bearings, valves, thermostats, sensors, dampers, actuators, and control devices. Respond to emergency service requests and implement corrective actions to restore critical systems and minimize operational disruptions.

Perform preventive and predictive maintenance on HVAC and refrigeration equipment, including air handling units, rooftop units, split systems, chillers, boilers, pumps, cooling towers, exhaust systems, and associated components. Conduct inspections, cleaning, adjustments, operational testing, and component replacements to maximize system reliability, reduce downtime, and extend equipment life. Maintain accurate work orders, inspection reports, maintenance records, and regulatory documentation. Perform all work in compliance with applicable building codes,

safety regulations, environmental requirements, and institutional policies, including adherence to lockout/tagout procedures and safe work practices.

Install, modify, upgrade, and commission HVAC equipment, ductwork, piping, controls, and related systems. Read and

interpret blueprints, schematics, specifications, sequence-of-operation documents, and technical manuals to support

maintenance, renovation, and construction projects. Coordinate maintenance activities with veterinarians,

researchers, faculty, staff, contractors, and vendors to minimize disruptions to hospital and research operations. Assist

other maintenance personnel with electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and general maintenance tasks as needed to support

the overall mission and operational needs of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Complete daily facility walk-throughs to proactively identify maintenance issues, safety risks, or regulatory discrepancies, and ensure all concerns are communicated to maintenance management. Responsible for maintaining a clean, orderly, and safe maintenance shop environment to support efficient operations, regulatory compliance, and workplace safety. Ensures tools, equipment, materials, and work areas are properly organized, maintained, and readily accessible for maintenance staff.