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What They Do
Refrigeration and Mechanical Systems Technicians provide heating, ventilation and air conditioning, refrigeration, aircraft-arresting systems and radar systems engineering support to operational units at home and abroad.
The Refrigeration and Mechanical Systems Technician job is one of seven Construction Engineering positions that provide all construction, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering services to Canadian Forces operations. The primary responsibilities of the Refrigeration and Mechanical Systems Technician are to:
- Install, operate, maintain and repair fixed and mobile refrigeration systems and associated control equipment
- Install, operate, maintain and repair heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and associated control equipment
- Install, operate, maintain and repair Aircraft Arresting Systems
- Install, operate, maintain, repair and overhaul mechanical systems associated with Aircraft Radar Systems
- Produce associated designs and specifications
- Produce associated mechanical drawings
- Conduct reconnaissance related to the above
Working Environment
Refrigeration and Mechanical Systems Technicians often work with the challenges that come with varying environmental conditions. During peacetime, Refrigeration and Mechanical Systems Technicians maintain their skills while employed at home units or on humanitarian and United Nations operational assignments.
Career Development
The starting salary for a fully-trained Refrigeration and Mechanical Systems Technician is $49,400 per year; however, depending on your previous experience and training the starting salary may be higher. Refrigeration and Mechanical Systems Technicians who demonstrate the required ability, dedication and potential are selected for opportunities for career progression, promotion and advanced training.
The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. A goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the Canadian Forces physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.
Refrigeration and Mechanical Systems Technicians attend at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Gagetown, New Brunswick. Training takes approximately 24 weeks and includes:
- Environmental Skills such as defensive tactics and firearms
- Care and use of common and special purpose tools and test equipment
- Application of occupational codes and regulations
- Interpretation of drawings and schematics
- Fixed and portable refrigeration systems
- Aircraft radar systems
- Physics, mechanical, electrical and electronic principles
- Aircraft hangar doors
- Brazing and welding techniques
Refrigeration and Mechanical Systems Technicians may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including:
- Heating ventilation and air conditioning controls
- Aircraft Arresting Systems
- Instructional Techniques
- Team Leaders Course
- Fixed Aircraft Arresting Technician Course
- Coastal Radar Mechanical Systems Course
- Air Surveillance Radar Mechanical Systems Course
The minimum required education to apply for this position is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondaire IV in Canada. Foreign education may be accepted.
This position is available for part-time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada.Reserve Force members usually serve part time with a military unit in their community, and may serve while going to school or working at a civilian job. They are paid during their training. They are not posted or required to do a military move. However, they can volunteer to move to another base. They may also volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.
Refrigeration and Mechanical Systems Technicians may serve with the Canadian Army or the Royal Canadian Air Force and are employed to provide heating, ventilation and air conditioning, refrigeration, aircraft-arresting systems and radar systems engineering support for Canadian Armed Forces training and operations. Those employed on a part-time or casual full-time basis usually serve at a military base, wing or unit located within Canada.
Reserve Force members are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts. They usually begin training with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required basic professional military standards. Following basic military training, occupational training for Refrigeration and Mechanical Systems Technicians takes approximately 24 weeks and is conducted at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Gagetown, New Brunswick.
Reserve Force members usually serve part-time with their home unit for scheduled evenings and weekends (Air Reserve Refrigeration and Mechanical Systems Technicians usually serve up to 12 days per month in a regular work day), although they may also serve in full-time positions at some units for fixed terms, depending on the type of work that they do. They are paid 85% of Regular Force rates of pay, receive a reasonable benefits package and may qualify to contribute to a pension plan.
Find a unit in your area and start the application process for part-time employment now.
