STARTUP / COMMISSIONING & SERVICE TECHNICIAN JOB DESCRIPTION & PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

Company Gable's Heating, Air & Refrigeration Department Supermarket Refrigeration - Construction / Startup / Service Reports To Project Manager / Service Manager / Operations Position Type Full-Time | Traveling Position

POSITION SUMMARY

The Startup / Commissioning & Service Technician is responsible for bringing newly installed or modified supermarket refrigeration systems online safely, correctly, and efficiently; verifying system operation; identifying and correcting installation or control issues; documenting commissioning results; and providing refrigeration service and troubleshooting as assigned. This is an advanced technical position. The technician is expected to understand the entire refrigeration system - mechanical, electrical, controls, refrigerant circuit, rack operation, cases/evaporators, and EMS - and to diagnose problems rather than simply report symptoms. 1. Startup & Commissioning Responsibilities Review plans, equipment schedules, piping, control drawings, rack information, and project scope before startup. Perform a pre-start inspection and identify incomplete, unsafe, or incorrect installation work before equipment is energized or charged. Verify valves, piping, strainers, filters, oil systems, compressors, condensers, evaporators, cases, fans, drains, and electrical components are ready for operation. Coordinate nitrogen pressure testing, leak checking, evacuation, dehydration, and refrigerant charging as required. Verify proper refrigerant type and charging procedures, including blended refrigerants and correct use of dew/bubble data. Start compressors and circuits in a controlled manner and verify oil level/return, suction and discharge conditions, compressor operation, condenser operation, and receiver level. Set and verify superheat, EEV/TXV operation, case and evaporator performance, fan operation, defrost, termination, alarms, and temperature control. Verify rack suction groups, discharge/head pressure control, compressor staging, VFD operation, split condenser operation, and related control strategies. Identify installation deficiencies and coordinate corrections with the Project Foreman and Project Manager. Complete commissioning documentation and clearly communicate unresolved deficiencies before leaving the project. 2. EMS / Controls Possess working knowledge of supermarket energy management and refrigeration control systems, including Emerson/CPC/E2, MicroTherm, Novar, and related controllers used by the company. Verify controller communication, board addressing, inputs, outputs, sensors, transducers, relays, analog outputs, and network wiring. Add, configure, or verify refrigeration points and circuit programming when authorized and qualified. Verify case temperature inputs, defrost sensors, suction/discharge pressure inputs, fan controls, alarms, setpoints, and output operation. Troubleshoot offline boards, incorrect addressing, failed inputs/outputs, communication problems, wiring errors, and programming issues. Back up or document controller changes when required and communicate all significant programming changes. 3. Refrigeration Service & Troubleshooting Diagnose refrigeration service calls involving warm cases, high/low pressures, compressor problems, oil issues, refrigerant leaks, defrost failures, fan failures, EEV/TXV problems, electrical faults, and control issues. Use pressures, temperatures, superheat, subcooling, saturation temperatures, amp draws, voltage, resistance, control status, and system history to diagnose the actual cause of a problem. Perform pump-downs, refrigerant recovery, evacuation, charging, leak repair, component replacement, oil/filter service, and other refrigeration repairs as qualified. Troubleshoot rack systems without making unnecessary adjustments that mask the root cause. Document the cause, correction, readings, parts used, and remaining recommendations for every service call. 4. Pre-Startup Quality Control Inspect piping for proper routing, supports, traps, pitch, valve orientation, and obvious restrictions or installation errors. Verify insulation is complete and sealed and that penetrations and drains are finished. Confirm electrical and control wiring is landed, labeled, secured, and ready for operation. Confirm pressure tests and evacuation requirements have been completed and documented where required. Do not knowingly commission defective or unsafe work simply to meet a schedule. Escalate deficiencies immediately. 5. Documentation & Communication Submit accurate startup sheets, service reports, readings, photographs, deficiency lists, and required commissioning documentation. Communicate daily with the Project Manager, Foreman, Service Manager, or Operations as applicable. Immediately report conditions that could cause product loss, equipment damage, safety hazards, schedule delays, or significant additional cost. Provide clear technical direction to installers when correcting startup deficiencies without taking over the Foreman's crew-management role. Communicate professionally with general contractors, store management, customers, manufacturers, and other trades. 6. On-Call / Service Expectations Respond to assigned refrigeration service calls and emergencies according to company procedures. Be prepared to work nights, weekends, shutdowns, extended shifts, and after-hours calls when project or service requirements demand it. Maintain communication while dispatched and keep management informed when a call requires additional time, parts, manpower, or customer authorization. Prioritize protecting refrigerated product, preventing equipment damage, and restoring safe operation. 7. Tools, Materials & Company Property Maintain assigned hand tools, meters, gauges, probes, vacuum equipment, recovery equipment, laptops/programming equipment, and company vehicle in professional condition. Maintain an appropriate service/startup tool inventory and notify management before critical supplies are exhausted. Protect refrigerant and recovery cylinders and accurately account for refrigerant used or recovered when required. Keep company vehicles and work areas reasonably clean and organized.

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE EXPECTATIONS

Supermarket parallel rack refrigeration systems and multiple suction groups Refrigeration piping, valves, oil management, receivers, accumulators, separators, and rack components Commercial refrigeration electrical troubleshooting and control circuits Superheat, subcooling, saturation, glide, dew/bubble points, and pressure-temperature relationships Refrigerant recovery, evacuation, dehydration, charging, and leak detection Compressor operation, staging, unloading, VFDs, condenser/head-pressure control, and fan control TXVs, EEVs, case controllers, evaporators, defrost systems, and temperature control Emerson/CPC/E2, MicroTherm, Novar, and related EMS/control architecture Reading refrigeration plans, electrical diagrams, control drawings, rack legends, and equipment schedules Use of digital multimeters, clamp meters, temperature probes, pressure instruments, micron gauges, and diagnostic tools

DAILY PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

Arrive prepared with the tools, PPE, information, and equipment required for the assignment. Think through the system before making adjustments. Do not change setpoints or controls without understanding what the change affects. Record baseline readings before making significant adjustments whenever practical. Verify the result after every repair, adjustment, or programming change. Do not leave a project or service call with known critical issues without communicating them to management. Do not conceal installation mistakes, failed startup items, callbacks, refrigerant losses, or equipment damage. Keep the customer and management informed without creating unnecessary alarm or assigning blame. Help train installers and apprentices on correct refrigeration practices when appropriate. Maintain a professional appearance and conduct while representing the company.

PERFORMANCE WILL BE EVALUATED ON

Successful startup and commissioning with minimal callbacks Accuracy and speed of troubleshooting Technical knowledge and continued development Ability to identify root causes instead of replacing unnecessary parts Quality of system setup, superheat/control adjustments, and final operation EMS/control competency Documentation quality and completeness Communication with management, customers, and field crews Safety and refrigerant-handling practices Care of company tools, equipment, vehicle, and materials Reliability, attendance, travel flexibility, and response to service needs Ability to protect project schedule, equipment, refrigerated product, and company profitability

MINIMUM / PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

5+ years of commercial or supermarket refrigeration experience preferred. Strong supermarket rack refrigeration and startup experience preferred. EPA Section 608 Universal certification required. Strong electrical troubleshooting skills. Experience with Emerson/CPC/E2 required or strongly preferred; MicroTherm and Novar experience preferred. Ability to read refrigeration and electrical drawings and understand control sequences. Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record for company vehicle operation. Ability and willingness to travel extensively. Ability to work independently and make sound technical decisions in the field. Ability to work nights, weekends, extended shifts, and on-call/service schedules as required. Manufacturer, EMS, CO2, or advanced refrigeration training is a plus.

AUTHORITY & ACCOUNTABILITY

The Startup / Commissioning & Service Technician has authority to stop startup or service work when an unsafe condition exists or when proceeding could reasonably damage equipment. The technician is expected to recommend corrective action, communicate technical deficiencies, and request additional resources when needed.

Expected mindset:

Do not only tell management that a rack, circuit, case, or controller is not working. Determine why it is not working, what is needed to correct it, what risk exists if it is not corrected, and what the next action should be.

Work Location:

On the road