Please read this job description and the applications in its entirety. Only applications that meet and submit all required materials will be considered.

Work Year Calendar and Hours

• 12-month position (260 days / year), 8 hours per day

For more information about employee benefits please go to: www.fcps.org/benefits

Salary

• Support Salary Scale Grade S08: $21.78 per hour

Under the Fair Labor and Standards Act this position is non-exempt from overtime. Actual salary placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Frederick County Public School System.

Role

This position correlates with a four (4)-year apprentice program in which the employee accumulates the necessary training and skills to attain the HVACR journeyman’s license. Despite the link to the apprentice program, no employment contract is implied. Employees in this position shall enroll and remain active in a state-registered, time-based HVACR apprentice program.

Employees in these job classes will receive structured and supervised on-the-job training while serving as a full-time, benefitted employee of the Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) and will also complete related instruction, as offered by a state-registered apprentice program sponsor. Expenses for the program sponsor’s related instruction will be covered by FCPS, to the extent permitted by the support staff tuition benefits. The employee’s work schedule may be altered to allow for the attendance of related instruction during work hours, exclusive of travel.

This position is an earn-and-learn position. An apprentice is hired at a percentage of the journeyman’s salary, and as the apprentice completes training and demonstrates skills mastery, the percentage of the journeyman’s wages received increases. The first three (3) years (i.e., HVACR Apprentice I/II/III) will correlate with the pay grade of a Maintenance Mechanic (Building); the fourth year (i.e., HVACR Apprentice IV) will correlate with the pay grade of a Maintenance Mechanic (HVACR).

Essential Functions

Reporting directly to an Area Supervisor or Area Foreman, the HVACR Registered Apprentice I/II/III/IV performs, at a minimum, the following duties:

Apprentice Program

This is a four (4)-year, Time-Based Apprentice Program – employees in this position are apprentices who must complete a required number of hours as part of on-the-job training and related instruction. The quantity of hours of related instruction may vary based on the apprentice program sponsor’s course structure.

Apprentice I (first year)
This is an entry-level position working under the direction of a journey-level position. Employees are required to complete two thousand (2,000) hours of on-the-job training and one hundred fourteen (114) hours of related instruction. Note 1: An employee who fails to complete the required hours for training and instruction may be subject to discipline procedures including termination. Employees who attain established levels of proficiency and qualifications are eligible to move to the next level in the apprenticeship program.

Apprentice II (second year)
This is a semi-skilled position working under the general direction of a journey-level position with some independence. Employees are required to complete two thousand (2,000) hours of on-the-job training and one hundred fourteen (114) hours of related instruction. Same as Note 1 above.

Apprentice III (third year)
This is an advanced semi-skilled position working with oversight from a journey-level position exercising routine independence. Employees are required to complete two thousand (2,000) hours of on-the-job training and one hundred fourteen (114) hours of related instruction. Same as Note 1 above.

Apprentice IV (fourth year)
This is a skilled position working with general oversight from a journey-level position exercising a high level of independence. Employees are required to complete two thousand (2,000) hours of on-the-job training and one hundred fourteen (114) hours of related instruction. Same as Note 1 above.

Apprentice Program Completion
At the end of the fourth (4th) year, the employee must satisfy the requirements for a Maintenance Mechanic (HVACR) position and have demonstrated the associated skills and knowledge in order to be promoted to the position of Maintenance Mechanic (HVACR).

General Responsibilities

While progressing through the apprentice program, employees in this job class will perform the following tasks with continually-increasing levels of independence:

• Primary functions: Provide preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of building systems and equipment.
• Secondary functions: Design, installation, repair, alteration, and upgrading of HVACR systems including ducts and pipe delivery systems for air, water, steam, and refrigerant gas.
• Acquire and maintain knowledge of proper utilization of tools and instrumentation.
• Become familiar with and stay abreast of the FCPS maintenance management system.
• Comply with Federal, State, and FCPS’ policies, regulations, and directives relating to safety, building codes, work techniques, and methods of performing assigned tasks.
• Read and understand building plans and specifications.

Performs other duties as assigned by the Manager of Building Maintenance, or designee.

Required Qualifications

Education/Training/Experience

• High school diploma, GED equivalent, or currently enrolled in a program to achieve this within twelve (12) months.

Certification/License

• Valid driver’s license and the ability to operate a vehicle in accordance with Board of Education policies.
• Maintenance of a license enabling employee to operate an FCPS vehicle.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge and use of culturally responsive practices.
• Demonstrated ability to safely and effectively use hand and power tools.
• Ability to develop the knowledge to troubleshoot and maintain mechanical, electrical, and environmental systems and sub-systems, including the control and balancing of these systems.
• Ability to use computerized systems including the computerized maintenance management system, office software, and building automation systems.
• Ability to develop the knowledge to read and work from blueprints, e-manuals, technical manuals, charts, and schematics.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and reports on completed assignments.
• Ability to observe safety requirements and safe work practices and methods.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to understand and apply verbal and written directions.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative work relationships.
• Strong commitment to excellent stakeholder service.
• Ability to work independently and under minimal supervision.
• Management and organizational skills that demonstrate the ability to prioritize work under time constraints, as well as flexibility in an environment of multiple tasks and shifting priorities.
• Ability to handle confidential and highly sensitive information in a professional manner.
• Regular and predictable attendance.
• Capability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to respond to emergencies and work overtime, as required.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull twenty (20) pounds frequently, fifty (50) pounds occasionally, and over fifty (50) pounds with assistance.
• Ability to stand, walk, and sit.
• Ability to reach above shoulder with hands and arms frequently.
• Ability to twist, bend, stoop, kneel, and climb.
• Ability to repetitively move wrist and elbow.
• Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation and on the telephone.
• Ability to travel to locations, sometimes with little notice.
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.
• Sufficient manual dexterity to grasp, handle, manipulate, and/or feel objects.
• Sufficient mobility to move about the work area.
• Sufficient vision to read and comprehend printed materials, see distant objects with clarity, and identify and distinguish objects.
• Sufficient hearing to hear and comprehend conversations in person and on the telephone, as well as distinguish sounds up to twenty (20) feet.

Work Environment

Moderate noise (examples: office environment with computers, printers, and telephones; regular conversations within offices, cubicles, hallways, and conference rooms; meetings one-on-one, in small groups, and large settings, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

Certification/License

• EPA Refrigerant Certification.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Experience in refrigeration principles and their application to the maintenance, repair, and installation of HVAC and refrigeration equipment, systems, and devices.
• Application and use of testing equipment used in checking, testing, and analyzing HVAC systems.
• Methods, materials, tools, safety practices, and equipment used in the HVAC trade.
• Applicable safety codes, ordinances, and regulations.

FREDERICK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

THIS JOB DESCRIPTION HAS BEEN WRITTEN TO INDICATE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK PERFORMED BY AN EMPLOYEE HOLDING THIS POSITION. IT IS NOT WRITTEN TO INCLUDE OR BE INTERPRETED TO INCLUDE A COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY OF ALL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED OF THE EMPLOYEE. NOTHING IN THIS DESCRIPTION RESTRICTS MANAGEMENT’S RIGHT TO ASSIGN OR REASSIGN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OR ADD REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT ANY TIME.