Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Air Conditioning Supervisor

🎯 Role Definition

The Air Conditioning Supervisor leads and develops a team of HVAC technicians to maintain, troubleshoot and optimize air conditioning and refrigeration systems across commercial, industrial or institutional facilities. This role balances hands-on technical oversight with planning, vendor management, safety compliance and continuous improvement to ensure occupant comfort, energy efficiency and equipment longevity. Key responsibilities include preventative maintenance program development, complex diagnostics of chillers and control systems, refrigerant management, budget oversight and emergency response coordination.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

HVAC Technician — Commercial/Industrial
Maintenance Technician or Refrigeration Mechanic
HVAC Service Technician with EPA 608 certification

Advancement To:

Facilities Manager
HVAC Operations Manager / Plant Engineering Supervisor
Regional Maintenance Manager / Director of Maintenance

Lateral Moves:

Building Management Systems (BMS) Specialist
Energy Manager / Commissioning Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead, schedule and supervise a team of HVAC technicians and apprentices; assign daily work, set priorities, conduct toolbox talks, mentor staff and perform performance appraisals to maintain high-quality service and technical competency.
Develop, implement and continuously improve preventive maintenance (PM) schedules for chillers, rooftop units, VRF/split systems, air handlers, condensers and refrigeration equipment to reduce downtime and extend asset life.
Diagnose and repair complex HVAC, refrigeration and control problems including compressor failures, refrigerant leaks, bearing and motor issues, oil contamination, and control loop faults using advanced diagnostic tools and systematic troubleshooting.
Manage chiller plant operations (centrifugal, screw and scroll compressors), oversee start-up/shutdown sequences, monitor oil/water chemistry, and implement efficiency optimization strategies to reduce energy consumption.
Ensure regulatory compliance for refrigerant handling and disposal, maintain EPA Section 608 certification records, manage leak detection programs, refrigerant recovery and required reporting.
Oversee the commissioning, start-up and retro-commissioning of new HVAC installations and major retrofits; validate performance to design specifications and coordinate punch lists with contractors and design engineers.
Maintain HVAC controls and building automation systems (BAS/BMS); program, tune and troubleshoot controllers, sensors, VFDs and sequence-of-operations to optimize comfort and energy use.
Coordinate and supervise external contractors and service vendors; solicit bids, evaluate technical proposals, enforce contract terms, and ensure work meets site safety and quality standards.
Develop and manage the HVAC maintenance budget, track spare parts and materials inventory, forecast capital replacement needs and recommend lifecycle upgrades or equipment replacements.
Lead emergency response for HVAC failures and critical system outages, establish escalation protocols, and coordinate with facilities, security and vendors to restore operations quickly.
Implement and enforce safety programs and standard operating procedures (SOPs) specific to HVAC work, including lock-out/tag-out (LOTO), confined space entry, fall protection and hot work permitting.
Prepare and maintain accurate maintenance logs, service records, equipment histories and CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) entries to support compliance, audits and data-driven decision making.
Perform root cause analysis after major failures or repeated faults; develop corrective action plans, track remediation and prevent recurrence through design or process changes.
Monitor HVAC performance metrics and KPIs (uptime, mean time between failures, energy use intensity), deliver monthly/quarterly reports to senior management and identify opportunities for cost and efficiency improvements.
Train technicians on safe work practices, diagnostics, brazing/welding techniques, HVAC controls, refrigerant recovery and new equipment technologies to build a high-performing, versatile team.
Review mechanical drawings, piping and wiring schematics, control diagrams and equipment manuals to plan repairs, modifications and system upgrades accurately.
Oversee preventive lubrication, vibration checks, alignment, belt and coupling maintenance for rotating equipment to ensure optimal mechanical reliability.
Administer parts procurement, supplier relationships and warranty claims processing to minimize downtime and control maintenance costs.
Implement energy conservation measures (ECMs) such as setpoint optimization, VFD sequencing, economizer control settings and heat-recovery implementations to reduce operating costs.
Coordinate with environmental health & safety (EHS) teams to schedule and document refrigerant audits, emissions reporting and workplace inspections.
Conduct site surveys and feasibility assessments for HVAC upgrades, life-cycle replacement, and integration of renewable or low-GWP refrigerant solutions.
Ensure clear, professional communication with building occupants, tenants and stakeholders regarding scheduled maintenance, disruptive work and anticipated timelines.

Secondary Functions

Assist facilities leadership with HVAC budget planning, CAPEX prioritization and long-term asset management strategies.
Support ad-hoc HVAC data collection, trend analysis and energy studies to inform retrofits and system tuning projects.
Contribute to procurement specifications and technical evaluations during RFP development for major HVAC projects.
Coordinate cross-functional trade activities (electrical, plumbing, controls) to minimize disruption during complex maintenance or installation work.
Maintain organized spare parts inventory for critical HVAC components and manage reorder thresholds to ensure rapid response capability.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and post-project reviews to standardize best practices and update SOPs.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Advanced HVAC diagnostics and troubleshooting for chillers, rooftop units, air handlers, VRF/split systems and packaged units.
Refrigeration cycle theory, refrigerant handling and recovery, EPA Section 608 certification and leak detection protocols.
Chiller plant operation and optimization (centrifugal, screw, reciprocating compressors) and knowledge of cooling tower maintenance.
Building automation systems (BAS/BMS) programming, BACnet/Modbus communication, controller tuning and VFD integration.
Electrical controls fundamentals: motor starters, PLC basics, control wiring, schematic reading and safe electrical isolation practices.
Preventive and predictive maintenance planning, CMMS utilization (Maximo, AssetWorks, Maintenance Connection or equivalent).
Heating, ventilation and airflow balancing, ductwork troubleshooting, and fan system performance analysis.
Mechanical skills including piping, brazing, welding, pump and valve maintenance, bearing alignment and vibration analysis.
Energy management and HVAC commissioning experience, familiarity with energy efficiency measures and M&V methodologies.
Project oversight skills: RFP/spec preparation, contractor supervision, quality assurance, commissioning and closeout documentation.
Knowledge of occupational safety standards (OSHA) and implementation of LOTO, confined space entry and PPE requirements.

Soft Skills

Strong leadership and team development skills; ability to coach, mentor and motivate technicians for consistent performance improvement.
Excellent written and verbal communication; able to prepare clear maintenance reports, work orders and vendor instructions.
Problem-solving mindset with structured root cause analysis and decision-making under pressure during system failures.
Customer-service orientation; capable of managing occupant expectations and communicating technical issues in non-technical terms.
Time management and organizational skills for handling multi-site assignments, emergencies and competing priorities.
Attention to detail for compliance documentation, equipment history recording and accurate materials requisitioning.
Financial acumen to manage departmental budgets, control maintenance costs and evaluate ROI on equipment upgrades.
Collaborative approach to work across facilities, engineering, procurement and safety teams.
Adaptability to evolving HVAC technologies, refrigerant regulations and digital controls ecosystems.
Conflict resolution and vendor negotiation abilities to ensure high-quality, cost-effective service delivery.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED plus formal HVAC/refrigeration technical certification or apprenticeship.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or diploma in HVAC Technology, Refrigeration, Mechanical Engineering Technology or related field.
Additional certifications in Building Automation Systems, Energy Management or Mechanical Codes are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

HVAC / Refrigeration Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Facilities Management
Energy Management / Building Controls

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

4–10 years of progressive HVAC and refrigeration experience, with at least 2–3 years in a lead or supervisory role.

Preferred:

5+ years managing commercial/industrial HVAC systems including chiller plants, BAS integration and major equipment installations, with documented experience supervising technicians, managing contractors and driving energy efficiency projects.