Pearl-Chiller Plant Operator/HVAC Technician

Our vision is that Pearl is the pioneering Plazamaker of North America through creating places and experiences to cultivate human connectedness. Every person who joins our organization is invited to join us in pursuing this vision and making Pearl the place to be.

As Pearl continues to grow and expand our offerings, Pearl is expecting growth in people living, working, and enjoying all that is available in the neighborhood. Our team will add services to our portfolio in pursuit of the continued innovation and the service level that is associated with Pearl. While recognizing this growth, we will continue to focus on sustainability by providing solutions that can transform San Antonio and the commercial real estate industry.

Summary/Objective

The Chiller Plant Operator / HVAC Technician is accountable for the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of two central chiller plants and large-scale HVAC systems across a 26-acre, 22 building luxury campus. This role provides technical expertise for chilled water production, distribution, and optimization, while also performing maintenance, troubleshooting, and replacement of HVAC equipment. In addition to supporting campus systems, the position will contribute to revenue generation through tenant support services, equipment replacement, and advanced HVAC solutions.

Essential Functions

• Operate, monitor, and maintain two central chiller plants, ensuring optimal efficiency, reliability, and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on chillers, cooling towers, pumps, air handling units, and related HVAC equipment.
• Diagnose and repair complex HVAC system failures, including electrical, mechanical, and controls issues.
• Support large-scale HVAC replacements, retrofits, and upgrades to extend equipment life and improve efficiency.
• Support in the planning, design, and implementation of capital projects related to HVAC and chilled water systems.
• Respond to and resolve tenant HVAC service requests, supporting both operational needs and revenue-generating service opportunities.
• Maintain detailed logs, documentation, and reporting of chiller plant performance, energy consumption, and system efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal codes, environmental regulations, and safety protocols.
• Collaborate with the Facilities Supervisor and property management team to optimize HVAC performance and support campus profitability goals.
• Lead emergency response efforts for HVAC-related issues to maintain business continuity.
• Schedule/Coordinate 3rd party vendor services

Supervisory Responsibility

• This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities but may provide technical guidance to Facilities Technicians and vendors on HVAC-related issues.

Work Environment

• Campus-wide responsibility for chiller plants, HVAC systems, and related equipment in a luxury mixed-use environment.
• Work requires indoor and outdoor exposure, confined spaces, elevated areas, and mechanical rooms with 24/7 operational needs.

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical training in HVAC preferred.
• Valid EPA Universal Refrigerant Certification required.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in commercial HVAC service and/or chiller plant operations.
• Experience with building automation systems (BAS) preferred.
• Accountable for responding to on-call duties and emergency situations to ensure uninterrupted chiller plant systems be it after hours, weekends or holidays.
• In-depth knowledge of chiller plant operations, chilled water distribution systems, and large-scale HVAC equipment.
• Technical expertise in troubleshooting and repairing commercial HVAC systems, including controls, electrical, and mechanical components.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, schematics, and operating manuals.
• Knowledge of preventive and predictive maintenance practices for HVAC and chiller systems.
• Strong attention to detail with ability to maintain accurate records and performance logs.
• Customer service and communication skills to work effectively with tenants, vendors, and internal teams.
• Commitment to workplace safety and regulatory compliance.