The term "refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic" defines a person who is capable of diagnosing, repairing, installing and maintaining a variety of refrigeration and air conditioning systems such as mobile, artificial ice rink, self-contained and split systems. Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics are employed in the product refrigeration, commercial, industrial, residential, institutional and recreational sectors. These people work in a variety of companies, government, and institutions. Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics could be self-employed as contractors, work in pulp mills, packing plants, mines, refineries, fish plants and chemical plants. Engineering and consulting firms, building management, and equipment manufacturing companies may employ these mechanics. Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics may report directly to the following people: construction foremen/supervisors, service foremen/supervisors, service managers or company owners. Reporting directly to them may be: maintenance workers, labourers and apprentices.

Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics also diagnose, repair, install and maintain a variety of refrigeration and air conditioning systems including: air handling, cooling, heating, humidification, ventilation and air exchange, air cleaning, cooling towers, evaporative condensers and heat pump equipment, controls and control circuitry as well as assemble walk-in boxes and install display cases, freezers, freezer plants, over the road refrigeration, blast food freezing, ice making equipment, electronic and automated controls, ultra low applications and controlled environments.

The refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics have the knowledge, skills and abilities to use trade tools, test instruments, elements of refrigeration, refrigerants and oils, and to apply codes and regulations. They also have knowledge of safety, electricity, electronics, electric motors, microprocessors, troubleshooting, blueprint reading, sketching and drawing, brazing, rigging, hoisting, trade calculations, computer skills and customer relations. The mechanic will require a working knowledge of equipment and devices such as: compressors, condensers, receivers, evaporators, metering devices, piping of refrigeration systems, controls and control circuitry, cooling towers, circulating pumps, air handling, and distribution equipment.

As a result of the breadth of the occupation there may be a variety of levels of competence and some degree of specialization. This analysis covers the full range of competencies for the trade. Aspects of this occupation (centrifugal, absorption and ammonia installation and repair, and ultra low applications) are highly specialized, and involve few workers.