What a refrigeration mechanic does
Refrigeration mechanics install, maintain and repair refrigeration and air conditioning systems in commercial and industrial settings. Their work includes walk-in coolers and freezers, display cases, ice machines, rooftop units, chillers and process cooling equipment. In Ontario, the trade is certified through the 313A Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic certificate of qualification issued by Skilled Trades Ontario, and employers should confirm it for every hire.
For a grocery store, restaurant, warehouse or food plant, a refrigeration failure can mean lost product and lost business. Finch screens candidates for the systems and controls they have worked on, their diagnostic skill, refrigerant handling certification and comfort with on-call service. We also look at how they communicate with facility managers under pressure, since they are often called in when something has already gone wrong.
Typical responsibilities
- Installing and commissioning refrigeration and air conditioning systems
- Diagnosing and repairing compressors, condensers, evaporators and controls
- Recovering, evacuating and charging refrigerants to specification
- Carrying out preventive maintenance on commercial and industrial equipment
- Responding to emergency service calls, including after hours
- Documenting work and refrigerant use
Qualifications and credentials
- A Skilled Trades Ontario 313A Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic certificate of qualification
- Ozone depletion prevention (ODP) certification for handling refrigerants
- Commercial or industrial refrigeration experience that matches your equipment
- TSSA gas certification is an asset for roles that include gas-fired equipment
- A valid driver's licence and availability for on-call rotations
Who hires a refrigeration mechanic
- Commercial refrigeration contractors
- Grocery and food retail chains
- Food processing and cold storage facilities
- Mechanical contractors
- Restaurant equipment service companies
Where we recruit refrigeration mechanic candidates
We fill refrigeration mechanic roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- 313A certificate and ODP certification
- Experience with racks, walk-ins, chillers or process cooling
- Controls and electrical troubleshooting ability
- On-call availability and driver's licence
- References from refrigeration contractors or facility managers
Interview questions to ask
- Tell me about a walk-in freezer failure you resolved. What was the cause?
- How do you approach a system with a slow refrigerant leak?
- What controls or monitoring systems have you worked with on commercial refrigeration?