Air Conditioning Mechanic

Salary : $102,814.40 - $124,904.00 Annually
Location : San Jose
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202501316
DEPART: Airport
Opening Date: 11/10/2025
Closing Date: 12/8/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY), or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov.
About the Department
San José Mineta International Airport (SJC): Fly Simple
Fueled by a culture of innovation, San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) is the Bay Area's easiest and most dependable Airport due to its medium size, simple layout, temperate climate and location. SJC is located just minutes from downtown San José - the Bay Area's largest city and the Capital of Silicon Valley. SJC is a self-supporting enterprise owned and operated by the City of San José. In 2024, SJC welcomed nearly 12 million passengers and was rated California's top-performing airport for on-time departures by Cirium. SJC currently offers nonstop service to more than 40 domestic and international destinations. The Airport's two fixed-base operators, as well as several corporate aviation tenants, serve the business aviation needs of Silicon Valley; corporate and general aviation traffic represents more than a quarter of aircraft operations at SJC. In 2024, SJC celebrated 75 years of connecting the Bay Area with the world. For more information and to connect with SJC on social media, visit

Position Duties

The City of San José - San José Mineta International Airport is seeking a highly skilled Air Conditioning Mechanic to perform work in the installation, operation, adjustment, troubleshooting, and maintenance of heating, ventilation, refrigerating and cooling (HVAC) systems, and all auxiliary equipment including Building Management Systems (BMS), Power Management Systems (PMS), and Central Plant operations. This position may be required to work evenings, weekends and holidays.
Key responsibilities include:

- Operating, maintaining, and repairing mechanical equipment in Airport terminals and auxiliary buildings.

- Conducting periodic inspections of all stationary building equipment, diagnosing malfunctions, and ensuring compliance with preventive maintenance schedules.

- Participating in major overhaul work involving low pressure boilers, chillers, packaged A/C units, combination units, furnaces, heating units and large ventilation fans.

- Installing, maintaining, calibrating, and repairing electric, electronic, pneumatic and digitally controlled building automated and power management systems.

- Estimating necessary repair work, requisition supplies, materials and parts.

- Maintaining cooperative relations with building occupants, which may involve responding to inquiries, and adjusting, when appropriate.

- Ensuring that equipment rooms and adjoining areas are kept clean and orderly.

- Managing work orders for terminals and auxiliary buildings using the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).

- Preparing reports and maintaining records.

- Reconfiguring computer control strategy for building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

- Reading and interpreting blueprints, drawings, and specifications.

The successful candidate will have experience with the installation, operation, maintenance, calibration, and repair of a wide variety of pumping, heating, refrigeration, ventilating and cooling systems and related equipment normally found in larger offices of public buildings. Possession of an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Universal License is required. In addition, knowledge of safety codes/regulations (pertaining to the air conditioning trade), and Refrigerant Management Programs are desirable. The Air Conditioning Mechanic should demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain a recognized Preventative Maintenance program.

Salary Range for Air Conditioning Mechanic: $102,814.40 - $124,904.

The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidate's qualifications and experience.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system. To apply, applicants must complete an application via the City of San Jose's website at

You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Tessa Elkins at

The application deadline is 11:59 PM on December 8, 2025. Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email and we will research the status of your application. Please contact Human Resources at (408) 535-1285, or if you have any questions.

DUTY

NO.

TYPICAL CLASS ESSENTIAL DUTIES: (These duties and estimated frequency are a representative sample; position assignments may vary depending on the business needs of the department.) Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
FREQUENCY*
1.

Inspects, adjusts, repairs, replaces, and performs preventative maintenance of heating, cooling, air-conditioning, and ventilating equipment and controls.

Daily/Several Times

2.

Repairs packaged A/C units, furnaces, combination units, heating units, and ventilating fans.

Daily

3.

Makes repairs and adjustments to associated equipment, such as compressors, pumps, ventilating fans, burners, boilers, and air conditioning control systems.

Daily

4.

Checks v-belts, lubricates fan bearings, replaces air filters, and purified media on air handlers.

Daily

5.

Takes and records all temperatures and pressures throughout the system; purges air from the machines; checks condenser coils for fouling; measures specific gravity of solution and refrigerant; checks all operational and safety controls on chillers.

Daily

6.

Monitors and adjusts sites via intranet. Uses several Building Automation Systems to monitor, adjust and control overall building HVAC comfort and demands. Includes functional testing of varied HVAC equipment and subparts, testing and resetting alarms.
DailyEmpty heading

7.

Responds to calls for emergency repair service.

Daily

8.

May provide lead direction to any assigned helpers.

Daily

9.

Maintains time clocks, thermostats, and other controls requiring the ability to program digital thermostats, digital time clocks and digital variable frequency drives. Performs major repairs on integrated building temperature control panels.

Daily

10.

Inspects, operates, and repairs low pressure boiler systems and related heating equipment.

Daily

11.

Maintains and repairs water softeners.

Daily

12.

Maintains operating logs and related records.

Daily

13.

Performs routine testing and maintenance of water treatment systems common to cooling towers and boilers.

Weekly

14.

Replaces sub-assembly units in small and large heating, ventilating, and cooling systems.

Weekly

15.

Cleans firesides; checks operational and safety cut-out controls; conducts air/fuel ratio tests; and conducts complete check of the boiler burner assembly and flame safeguard elements.

Weekly

16.

Cleans condenser coils; checks all operational and safety controls; checks suction and discharges pressure; checks for refrigerant leaks; silver solders or silver brazes all breaks; and evacuates and recharges system on air conditioning and condensing unit.

Weekly

17.

Periodically disassembles and overhauls large centrifugal and reciprocating refrigeration compressors, absorption chillers, and related equipment.

Intermittent

18.

Maintains cooling towers and sump basins as well as filtration systems.

Intermittent

19.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

As Required

*Frequency defined as Daily/Several Times, Daily, Weekly, Intermittent, or As Required

Minimum Qualifications

(These qualifications are typically required. An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to satisfactorily perform the duties of the job may be substituted.)
Education and Experience

Completion of certificate program in HVAC from an accredited college or university AND three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in the operation, repair, and maintenance of heating, ventilating, refrigeration, and cooling systems which are common to large buildings.
Required Licensing (such as driver's license, certifications, etc.)

• Possession of a valid State of California driver's license.
• Possession of a Universal Certification for Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) Refrigerants from the Environmental Protection Agency.
• As a condition of employment in some designated positions, possession of a valid State of California Class A or B driver's license with applicable endorsements may be required.

Other Qualifications
(Incumbents may be required to have different combinations of the listed qualifications, or more specific job-related qualifications depending on the position.)
Basic Competencies

(Needed at entry into the job in order to perform the essential duties.)

• Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.
• Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.
• Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.
• Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.
• Customer Service - Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.
• Flexibility - Makes effective decisions and achieves desired results in the midst of major changes in responsibilities, work processes, timeframes, performance expectations, organizational culture, or work environment.
• Problem Solving - Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.
• Reliability - Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.
The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's for detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City's Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an to explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.
01

This position requires a State of California Driver's License. Please select the applicable option that best describes your driver's license, or your ability to possess a valid driver's license.

• State of CA, Class A Driver's License
• State of CA, Class B Driver's License
• State of CA, Class C Driver's License
• I do not possess a State of California Driver's License but, I can obtain one.
• I do not possess a State of California Driver's License and I cannot obtain one

02

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• High School Diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• College (1 to 29 semester units/ 1 to 44 quarter units)
• College (30 to 59 semester units/ 45 to 89 quarter units)
• College (60 to 89 semester units/ 90 to 134 quarter units)
• College (90 to 119 semester units/ 135 to 179 quarter units)
• College (120 or more semester units/ 180 or more quarter units)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree
• Other
• None of the above

03

How many years of experience do you have in the operations, repair, and maintenance of heating, ventilating, refrigeration, and cooling systems, which are common to large buildings?

• Fewer than three (3) years
• More than three (3) years

04

The Air Conditioning Mechanic position requires possession of a Universal Certification for Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) Refrigerants from the Environmental Protection Agency. Please specify the certifications that you possess:

• Possession of a Universal Certification for Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) Refrigerants from the Environmental Protection Agency.
• I do not possess any of the required certification(s).

05

Please describe your experience in the operations, repair and maintenance of heating, ventilating, refrigeration and cooling systems which are common to large buildings.
06

Please describe your experience working with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems.
07

Do you have experience with automated building management system (BMS - HVAC and Power) controls? If yes, please describe your experience and responsibility level.
Required Question

---