Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician at icipe - African Insect Science for Food and Health

Overall purpose of the job

To undertake preventive and corrective maintenance of refrigeration equipment and air conditioning systems in the Centre, to ensure they perform reliably, efficiently, cost-effectively and are safe to use or operate.

Responsibilities

• Service and repair refrigeration equipment and systems to include walk-in coolers, ultra-low freezers and refrigerated laboratory equipment.
• Install, calibrate, service and repair laboratory safety cabinets.
• Inspect systems and their components (e.g. air conditioning, heating and refrigeration units) ensuring safety and identifying necessary repairs, and providing an ongoing programme of preventive maintenance.
• Diagnose problems in refrigeration systems to identify equipment and/or systems repair and replacement needs.
• Perform routine and preventive maintenance as needed and/or assigned for the purpose of ensuring the ongoing functioning of HVAC and refrigeration systems.
• Clean systems (e.g. coils, condensation pans, drain lines) to ensure units are operating correctly.
• Prepare documentation (e.g. records of refrigerants, paperwork, logs, time and materials, specifications) providing written support in compliance with regulations and/or conveying information.
• Repair various items, systems and/or components to ensure items are available and in safe working condition.
• Maintain tools and equipment to ensure the availability of equipment in safe operating condition.
• Respond to emergency situations during or after hours for the purposes of resolving immediate safety concerns.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements/Qualifications

1. Higher National diploma in mechanical engineering (refrigeration option) with 5 years’ experience or Diploma in mechanical engineering (refrigeration option) with 7 years’ experience.
2. Candidate must demonstrate practical experience in HVAC systems, ultra-low freezers and other refrigeration systems.
3. Candidate must demonstrate knowledge of health and safety in engineering practices.
4. Candidate must demonstrate ability to develop an equipment preventative maintenance programme.
5. Candidate must demonstrate ability to develop equipment annual budget.
6. Registration with regulatory bodies an added advantage.
7. Experience in a research setting an added advantage.

Core Competencies

• Communicate effectively with supervisors/management as well as customers.
• Demonstrate ability to supervise staff.
• Must be able to effectively read, understand and apply blueprints, schematics, and flow charts during repair process.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Other desirable attributes

• Strong team player that is results-oriented.
• Must possess high degree of independent judgment.
• Must be prepared to work long hours, including weekends and holidays.
• Good interpersonal skills.

Reporting

• This position reports to the Facilities and Assets Manager.

The position is available immediately.