General Services Refrigeration Technician

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE POSITION

The Refrigeration Technician is a highly skilled and licensed professional responsible for the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of all refrigeration systems and associated equipment within the cold storage facility. This includes freezers, chillers, blast freezers, and other temperature-controlled environments critical to preserving the quality and safety of stored goods. In addition to refrigeration systems, the technician is responsible for executing basic plumbing works, ensuring water and drainage systems related to refrigeration operations are functional and compliant. The role is essential to preventing system downtime, ensuring optimal energy efficiency, and maintaining strict adherence to safety protocols and environmental regulations on refrigerants and waste handling.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Installation and Commissioning

• Assist in the installation and commissioning of new refrigeration equipment and systems, ensuring proper setup, calibration, and testing.
• Connect power, water, and refrigerant lines according to schematics and safety standards.

Preventive and Corrective Maintenance

• Execute comprehensive preventive maintenance (PM) programs for all refrigeration units, including compressors, condensers, evaporators, cooling towers, pumps, fans, and associated controls.
• Perform routine inspections, cleaning, lubrication, and adjustment of refrigeration components.
• Monitor system performance parameters (e.g., temperatures, pressures, refrigerant levels, oil levels) and document readings.
• Conduct precise troubleshooting to diagnose mechanical, electrical, and control issues in refrigeration systems.
• Perform corrective repairs on faulty equipment, including component replacement (e.g., compressors, motors, valves, sensors, electrical boards).
• Recover, reclaim, and charge refrigerants (e.g., Ammonia, Freon) safely and in compliance with environmental regulations.
• Identify and repair refrigerant leaks using appropriate detection methods.

Plumbing and Drainage Works

• Maintain and repair water lines, drainage systems, condensate pumps, and plumbing fixtures related to refrigeration units.
• Ensure proper drainage to prevent water buildup, icing, or contamination in cold storage areas.
• Address plumbing-related service requests to avoid operational disruptions.

System Monitoring and Optimization

• Continuously monitor the performance of all refrigeration systems through Building Management Systems (BMS) or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, if applicable.
• Optimize system settings for energy efficiency while maintaining required temperatures and humidity levels.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, potential issues, and areas for improvement.

Emergency Response

• Respond rapidly to refrigeration system alarms and breakdowns, including during off-hours, to minimize product spoilage and operational disruption.
• Execute emergency repair procedures safely and effectively.
• Be proficient in emergency protocols for refrigerant leaks, (e.g., wearing SCBA, emergency shut-down procedures).

Safety and Compliance

• Adhere strictly to all safety regulations, company policies, and industry best practices, particularly those related to handling refrigerants (Ammonia), electrical safety (LOTO), working at heights, and confined spaces.
• Ensure proper use and maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including specialized gear for refrigerant handling.
• Maintain accurate logs of refrigerant usage, recovery, and disposal in compliance with DENR regulations.
• Participate in safety drills and contribute to a strong safety culture.

Documentation and Reporting

• Accurately document all maintenance activities, repairs, refrigerant handling logs, and system readings.
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance reports, detailing completed tasks, outstanding issues, and spare parts consumption.
• Maintain organized records of equipment manuals, schematics, and service history.

Collaboration and Training

• Collaborate effectively with the Engineering Supervisor, General Services staff, and Operations team to coordinate maintenance activities and minimize impact on cold storage operations.
• Assist in training junior technicians or other staff on basic refrigeration awareness and safety.
• Provide technical input for spare parts procurement.

ELIGIBILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Vocational or Technical Diploma/Certificate in Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Technology, HVAC, or Electrical/Mechanical Technology.
• Must possess a relevant government-issued license or certification for refrigeration system maintenance (e.g., TESDA National Certificate II (NC II) or higher in RAC Servicing).
• Certification in Refrigeration is a significant advantage
• Minimum of 3-5 years of hands-on experience as a Refrigeration Technician, specifically with industrial or commercial refrigeration systems.