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This position has closed. University of Wisconsin-Madison removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

HVAC Mechanic

University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 21, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 4, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you worked on plumbing or electrical issues outside your main trade.

What they are checking: Whether they can handle the range of systems this team is responsible for.

You would be on a rotating weekend on-call schedule and work special events. How have you handled on-call work before?

What they are checking: Whether they are reliable for after-hours calls and event support.

How do you communicate with kitchen or event staff when equipment will be down for repair?

What they are checking: Whether they keep operations staff informed so they can plan around repairs.

What would you do

A walk-in cooler at the Memorial Union is warming up on a Friday afternoon before a big event. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can prioritize urgent repairs and protect food safety under time pressure.

How do you decide whether a problem is something you can fix or something you need to escalate?

What they are checking: Whether they know their limits and escalate properly, as the posting describes.

About the work

Walk me through how you troubleshoot an air handler that is not keeping a space at temperature.

What they are checking: Whether they have a logical diagnostic process for HVAC systems.

This job covers kitchen equipment too. What food service equipment have you repaired, like walk-in coolers, ice machines or fryers?

What they are checking: Whether they have the food service equipment experience the posting asks for.

What does a good preventive maintenance routine look like for a large building's HVAC system?

What they are checking: Whether they understand preventive maintenance as a way to avoid breakdowns.

What refrigeration certifications do you hold, and how do you handle refrigerant safely?

What they are checking: Whether they handle refrigerants legally and safely.

How do you stay safe when working on live equipment or in tight spaces?

What they are checking: Whether they follow lockout/tagout and other safety practices.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at University of Wisconsin-Madison from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process. Job Category: University Staff Employment Type: Regular Job Profile: HVAC Mechanic Job Summary: Come join the Wisconsin Union as an HVAC Mechanic within our technical maintenance department at the Memorial Union. This position is part of a team responsible for the operation, repair, and maintenance of all mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and refrigeration units at the Memorial Union. Your role will involve conducting routine preventative maintenance and troubleshooting on a variety of machines from heating, cooling and ventilation systems to kitchen equipment. A successful candidate will have experience with both HVAC units as well as food service equipment. This position comes with a pension plan, sick leave, plenty of vacation time, and opportunities for professional development. Work Schedule and Location: Monday thru Friday 6:30 am to 3:00 pm with a rotating weekend on-call schedule 100% on-site Memorial Union – 800 Langdon Street Madison WI Key Job Responsibilities: • Works special events as required for operational needs • Identifies, prioritizes, troubleshoots, and escalates system problems, equipment malfunctions, and repair needs • Monitors, tests, maintains, and repairs Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, related equipment, and controls according to established policies and procedures • Performs scheduled preventative and routine maintenance and documents activity on equipment and systems to ensure optimal and safe operation • Receives, prioritizes, and responds to service requests according to established timelines and policies • Develops and schedules operational work plans for staff occasionally Department: Wisconsin Union, Memorial Union, Facilities Compensation: The expected starting salary is $31.00/ hour. This position is also eligible for weekend and night differential pay. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)pension fund. For a summary of benefits, please see. https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/univstaff.pdf Required Qualifications: • 1 year of building maintenance experience – please detail your experience including the types of repairs or maintenance you performed Preferred Qualifications: • Maintaining and conducting the repairs of HVAC equipment • HVAC Trouble shooting experience • Maintaining and repairing food service equipment Certifications: • Driver’s License – Valid and meets UW Risk Management Standards – Required • EPA Refrigerant Handling Certification – Preferred Physical Demands: Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. frequently needed How to Apply: Click the "Apply" button to start the application process. You will be prompted to upload the following documents: -Resume -Cover Letter Applicants should attach a cover letter and resume detailing their training and experience relating to the required and preferred qualifications referenced above. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine which qualified applicants will advance in the recruitment process. Contact Information: Kathleen Keller, kathleen.keller@wisc.edu, 608-262-9323 Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information. Institutional Statement on Diversity: Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website . To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you. Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department .