Lead HVAC Maintenance Technician
Reports to: Community Manager Employment type: Full-time, on-site Compensation: based on experience
The Role
As Lead HVAC Maintenance Technician, you're the technical backbone of the property. You diagnose and repair the community's heating and cooling systems, own the preventive-maintenance program, and set the pace and standard for the on-site maintenance team. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who is EPA-certified, comfortable troubleshooting HVAC end to end, and ready to keep a full building of student residents comfortable through peak cooling season, the summer turn, and coordinated August move-in.
What You'll Do
HVAC & Technical Leadership
- Diagnose, repair, and maintain HVAC systems across the community — split systems, heat pumps, PTAC units, mini-splits, condensers, air handlers, thermostats, and related controls.
- Handle refrigerant recovery, charging, and leak detection in full compliance with EPA regulations.
- Build and run the seasonal preventive-maintenance program: filter changes, coil cleanings, condensate lines, system inspections, and pre-summer readiness checks across every unit.
- Serve as the go-to technical resource for the team, mentoring and training technicians on HVAC diagnostics and repair best practices.
General Maintenance & Turn
- Complete and oversee general make-readies and the summer turn so the building is 100% move-in ready for August.
- Support broader maintenance needs as they arise — plumbing, electrical, appliance, and general repairs — and know when to bring in a licensed vendor.
- Keep common areas, mechanical rooms, the pool equipment area, and building systems in safe, working condition.
Work-Order & Team Management
- Prioritize, assign, and close out work orders in the property management system (e.g., Entrata, RealPage/OneSite, Yardi), keeping response times fast and residents satisfied.
- Help schedule the maintenance team's daily workflow and lead by example on quality and professionalism.
- Coordinate with the Community Manager on turn timelines, capital needs, and larger repairs.
Safety, Compliance & On-Call
- Follow all safety protocols, EPA/refrigerant handling requirements, and OSHA standards; keep MSDS/SDS and equipment logs current.
- Enter occupied units professionally and in line with Fair Housing and North Carolina landlord-tenant requirements.
- Participate in the on-call rotation and respond to after-hours HVAC and maintenance emergencies.
What You Bring
Required
- EPA Section 608 Certification (Universal preferred) — this is non-negotiable for the refrigerant work central to the role.
- 3+ years of hands-on HVAC maintenance experience, ideally in multifamily or student housing.
- Strong diagnostic and repair skills across residential HVAC systems, with the ability to read schematics and troubleshoot electrical and mechanical components.
- Working knowledge of plumbing, electrical, and appliance repair sufficient to lead general maintenance.
- Experience leading, training, or mentoring other technicians, or clear readiness to step into a lead role.
- Comfort with property management/work-order software and basic digital reporting.
- Ability to lift 50+ lbs, work on ladders and rooftops, and perform physical repair work in varied conditions.
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for on-call response.
Preferred
- HVAC EPA Universal certification and/or NATE certification.
- Multifamily or student housing turn experience, including full-building make-readies against a deadline.
- Familiarity with pool-equipment maintenance and certification (CPO) or willingness to obtain.
- Familiarity with the Greenville / East Carolina University market.
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How to Apply
Submit your resume and a brief note about your HVAC background and any certifications you hold to [insert application link / email]. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
KPM is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and residents.