Refrigeration & Utilities Technician

Job Summary:  The Refrigeration & Utilities Technician is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the utility building and refrigeration systems at the Ingredient Facility. This position must be able to safely operate utility equipment (air compressor, boiler, water softener, and refrigeration equipment) in a safe manner, perform systematic preventative maintenance on all related equipment, and assist the maintenance team with other functions where needed.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Initiate the purchase of parts, materials, equipment, supplies, in accordance with company procedures and provide technical assistance when required to facilitate such purchases
• Take readings and monitoring of all utilities systems critical parameters, investigates and corrects operating conditions out of specifications.
• Review and follow up daily with work requested and provide feedback to improve documentation with respects to tools and procedures
• Perform preventative maintenance tasks for Utilities equipment.
• Perform corrective maintenance on equipment/systems as needed
• Collects samples and perform testing of boiler feed-water, boiler water, soft water, resin beds regenerations, DI water and monitor chemicals dosage on all utility systems
• Receive chemicals used for treatment of tower water, chilled water, boiler feed-water, resin beds regeneration
• Demonstrates ability to lead projects and/or work groups
• Operate and perform daily checks on all utility systems to ensure proper compliance and running conditions
• Start and stop ammonia refrigeration equipment and maintain proper operation of equipment without supervision.
• Provide preventive and emergency maintenance work on refrigeration equipment
• Ensure product integrity in the warehouse is maintained through temperature monitoring and control.
• Perform inspections and preventative maintenance while constantly monitoring for leaks and any other defections in equipment in engine room and warehouse rooms
• Assist management with the creation and updating of standard operating procedures. 
• Responsible for housekeeping and cleanup of all utility rooms and work stations
• Collect and perform water analysis to ensure proper system operation.
• Any other projects, as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Certification in industrial refrigeration or a similar field.
• Ability to achieve Hazwopper certification within the first year of employment.
• Must possess an Ammonia Refrigeration Operator 1 Certification.
• At least three years of experience in the operation and maintenance of ammonia refrigeration equipment. 
• Ability to respond to unplanned and emergency equipment failures including on weekends and nights.
• May be required to check the system on weekends and holidays. 
• Must possess the ability to successfully complete the annual Respiratory Protection Program requirements.
• Must be able to ensure a quality seal along the seal line of the approved respirator for protection (SCBA).
• Must possess a valid driver’s license. 
• Ability to understand and follow good manufacturing practices (GMP)s.
• Excellent trouble shooting and mechanical skills.
• Regular and reliable attendance required.
• Able to safely replace mechanical and electrical components including motors, motor starters, switches, solenoids, pumps, refrigeration valves, and compressors.
• Proficient in written and verbal communication. 
   
   

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Current or prior Hazwopper Certification strongly preferred.
• Confined Space experience preferred
• Experience working in a factory environment and utilities management
   
   

Working Environment:  

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a teammate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The Ammonia Refrigeration Operator is required to work in the warehouse area and outside. While performing the duties of this job, the teammate frequently will be exposed to outside weather conditions, wet and/or humid conditions, and extreme heat and/or cold.  The teammate occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high precarious places and has to the risk of exposure to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and the risk of electrical shock.  The incumbent will be exposed to loud noises from production equipment and thus will be required to wear PPE.   The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may be high at times due to production and mechanical equipment noise. 

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be performed by a teammate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the teammate is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to handle, or feel objects, equipment, or controls; reach with hands and arms; see, talk and /or hear. The teammate frequently is required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, sit, crouch, or crawl. The teammate will be required to walk at least 1 square mile of property during safety rounds, frequently traveling up and down stairs and other uneven work surfaces. The teammate is required to taste, touch or smell.  Frequent exposure to physically stressful situations. 

Teammates must be able to lift, carry, push and/or pull, and balance up to 100 pounds.

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of teammates under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.