Senior HVAC / Refrigeration Technician
Full-Time, Permanent
North Bay, Ontario
Field-Based / In-Person
On-call rotation and travel to client sites required
DENKAR CONTROLS
DenKar Controls has been serving clients since 1993, providing commercial HVAC maintenance, repair, building automation, and equipment audit services. Based in North Bay, we support industrial, commercial, institutional, healthcare, hospitality, education, and other facilities throughout Northern Ontario.
Our team is guided by three values: Responsive, Reliable, and Accountable. We take pride in completing work safely, communicating clearly, and delivering practical solutions that help clients protect their equipment, improve performance, and reduce downtime.
THE POSITION
DenKar Controls is seeking a Senior HVAC / Refrigeration Technician to join our team. This is a hands-on senior field role for an experienced technician who can independently diagnose complex HVACR issues, lead service and installation work, support customers, and mentor junior technicians and apprentices.
The successful candidate will act as a technical expert, team leader, and client liaison. You will work on a range of commercial and institutional HVAC and refrigeration systems, including chillers, boilers, variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, rooftop units, refrigeration equipment, and advanced onboard controls.
This role is well suited to someone who takes ownership, applies sound judgment, works safely, and enjoys helping both clients and team members understand technical issues and practical solutions.
WHAT WE OFFER
At DenKar Controls, we want experienced tradespeople to build long-term careers, continue developing their technical skills, and have opportunities to lead and mentor others.
- Competitive compensation based on experience, qualifications, and technical capability.
- Company vehicle for business use.
- Comprehensive group health and dental benefits.
- Group savings plan with employer matching.
- Training, certification support, and ongoing professional development.
- Opportunities to lead projects, mentor junior technicians, and contribute to team development.
- Varied commercial and institutional work across Northern Ontario.
- A professional team environment built around integrity, safety, accountability, and quality service.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Technical Service, Diagnostics, and Repair
- Diagnose and resolve complex mechanical, electrical, refrigeration, and control-related issues using appropriate test instruments and advanced diagnostic tools.
- Service, repair, and maintain commercial HVACR equipment, including chillers, boilers, rooftop units, VRF systems, refrigeration systems, and advanced onboard controls.
- Respond to emergency service calls and provide timely, practical, and professional solutions.
- Complete preventive maintenance, inspections, and equipment audits; identify recurring issues; and recommend repairs, replacements, retrofits, or energy-saving improvements that support system reliability and efficiency.
Installation and Commissioning
- Lead or support HVAC and refrigeration installations, including equipment, ductwork, piping, and related components, and confirm required tools, parts, materials, and personnel are available before work begins.
- Review drawings, schematics, specifications, job scopes, and technical documents before work begins.
- Commission new and repaired equipment, confirm proper operation, and ensure systems perform in accordance with design and manufacturer requirements.
Leadership, Mentorship, and Quality
- Lead junior technicians and apprentices on service calls, projects, installations, and maintenance work by assigning tasks and providing clear technical direction.
- Coach and mentor team members in diagnostics, safe work practices, customer service, documentation, and quality standards, and support team training when requested.
- Monitor the work of junior technicians and subcontractors and address quality or performance concerns promptly.
- Lead by example, provide constructive feedback, and hold assigned crews accountable for safety, quality, productivity, and results.
- Conduct safety briefings, toolbox talks, and site safety assessments as required.
Client Service and Communication
- Communicate professionally with clients, clearly explain system issues and completed work, and identify repairs or improvements that would provide an operational, safety, reliability, or cost benefit.
- Educate clients on equipment operation, preventive maintenance, energy-efficient practices, and steps that may reduce future breakdowns.
- Build trusted client relationships through reliable service, honest assessments, and consistent follow-through.
Planning, Documentation, and Project Coordination
- Coordinate with the administration and management teams to plan daily schedules, client requirements, job priorities, upcoming work, and effective use of technicians and subcontractors.
- Control on-site hours, materials, and workflow to support project budgets and completion dates.
- Complete accurate and detailed service reports and maintain current client profiles, equipment records, service logs, parts information, equipment condition, and recommendations in the company service management system.
- Assist with estimates and quotations for repairs, system upgrades, retrofits, and new installations.
- Keep tools, equipment, vehicles, materials, and job sites organized, secure, and in good working condition.
Safety and Regulatory Compliance
- Perform all work in accordance with applicable legislation, codes, standards, environmental requirements, manufacturer specifications, and DenKar Controls policies and procedures.
- Ensure appropriate lockout/tagout, personal protective equipment, refrigerant handling, and safe work procedures are followed.
- Identify and report hazards, unsafe conditions, equipment concerns, and potential client or project risks promptly.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required Certifications and Conditions of Employment
- Valid Ontario Certificate of Qualification as a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic (313A).
- Valid Ontario Gas Technician 1 certificate (G1).
- Valid Ozone Depletion Prevention (ODP) certificate.
- Valid Ontario G-class driver's license and ability to travel to client sites.
- Satisfactory criminal reference check.
Education and Experience
- High school diploma and completion of a recognized apprenticeship, vocational program, or construction trade school program.
- Demonstrated senior-level commercial or institutional HVACR service, maintenance, repair, installation, and commissioning experience.
- Advanced working knowledge of chillers, boilers, VRF systems, rooftop units, refrigeration systems, related mechanical and electrical components, and the diagnostic tools used to troubleshoot them.
- Experience reading and interpreting blueprints, schematics, specifications, technical manuals, and job scopes.
- Experience leading technicians, mentoring apprentices, coordinating field work, or supervising subcontractors.
Required Skills and Attributes
- Strong analytical, mathematical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities, with the ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
- Clear and professional verbal and written communication skills in English.
- Strong client service skills and the ability to explain technical information in practical terms.
- Strong organization, planning, documentation, and follow-through, including comfort using service management software, mobile applications, email, and electronic reporting tools.
- Sound judgment, integrity, reliability, and respect for confidential company and client information.
Physical and Working Requirements
- Ability to work indoors and outdoors at commercial, institutional, industrial, and construction sites, including non-climate-controlled environments.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, climb ladders, work on roofs, and move safely around client facilities.
- Ability to lift and carry equipment, tools, and materials weighing up to 75 pounds.
- Ability to participate in an on-call rotation and work additional hours, evenings, or weekends when operational or emergency needs require it.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Visit our careers page to learn more about DenKar Controls and submit your application.
DenKar Controls is committed to providing accommodation throughout the recruitment and selection process. Applicants who require accommodation are encouraged to advise us so appropriate arrangements can be made.
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Application question(s):
- This is an in-person position based in North Bay, Ontario. Please confirm your current location and whether you live within commuting distance or are willing to relocate to the North Bay area.
- Do you have a valid driver’s licence and are you able to travel to customer sites, participate in an on-call rotation, and occasionally work evenings or weekends as required?
- How many years of experience do you have independently troubleshooting, repairing, maintaining, installing, and commissioning commercial HVAC and refrigeration systems, including chillers, boilers, rooftop units, VRF systems, and refrigeration equipment?
- Do you currently hold a valid Ozone Depletion Prevention — ODP certificate?
- Do you currently hold a valid Gas Technician 1 — G1 certificate in Ontario?
- Do you currently hold a valid Ontario Certificate of Qualification as a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic — 313A?
Work Location: In person
