Wool Processing Technician I

Do you find yourself taking apart your own (and neighbor's) appliances to see if you can fix a component inside before it is thrown away?

Do you pace around the kitchen or yard when talking on the phone rather than sitting in one place?

Would you rather work with your hands and move around rather than working at a computer all day?

If the answers to these questions are yes, yes, and yes, this job may be the perfect fit for you!

Job Purpose

Mountain Meadow Wool is a family owned operation that began in 2007 and is nestled in the plains of the Bighorn Mountains in Buffalo, WY. We are a vertically integrated textile mill and one of the few places in the United States where raw wool can be delivered and made into commercial products. MMW has scouring, carding, spinning, dyeing, knitting, sewing, marketing, and retail departments. We are constantly seeking out highly motivated individuals to contribute toward our production and growth. We are dedicated to supporting our employees and local ranchers by providing fulfilling jobs and raising awareness about the historic ranching culture in the American West.

The Wool Processing Technician level I role is an entry-level position within our wool processing team. This position works on the raw wool side of the mill to wash (scour) greasy wool, process (card) clean wool into roving, pin draft roving to achieve a desired sliver weight, and help spin and ply yarn. This position is physically demanding and requires 4 hours of standing at a time and the ability to lift/move 30 lbs at a time.

Key Responsibilities

At Mountain Meadow Wool, while operating the wool production equipment you will perform the following tasks:

• Learn and adhere to proper safety procedures
• Operating varying equipment on the “raw wool processing” side of the mill to meet and fill production demands
• Load scouring, carding, pin drafting, & spinning machines with wool to move orders through production in a timely manner
• Ensure production meets the quality standards of the mill by continuously checking for material and machine defects
• Unpackage and skirt greasy fiber for scouring preparation and operation
• Pack clean wool into bags for carding & lift clean wool into the carding machine for processing
• Using premade Excel formulas, calculate color blend percentages and sliver weights that will be fed into the pin drafting & combing machines to achieve a target weight
• Assist with yarn plying by setting up the listed number of bobbins and watching that the yarn ends are being guided and plyed properly on the machine
• At each machine area, record fiber weights and important production information on designated work order forms
• At the end of EVERY shift, keep work space clean by sweeping & wiping down dust/wool that accumulates on and around machines
• Performs other duties as required

Skills and Abilities

• Willingness to learn new skills and work with a team
• Able to work in an occasionally hot, dusty, & physically demanding environment
• Comes to work with a positive attitude
• Strong attention to detail
• Curiosity to learn about different fiber types
• Ability to read and follow work order instructions

Required Qualifications

• GED or High School education equivalent
• Must be able to read, write, and speak English
• Attendance is an essential function of the position
• At least 18 years of age
• Legal right to work in the US
• Can lift 30 lbs (more with assistance) and stand for 4 hours at a time

Physical Requirements
1. Standing: Standing/walking approx. 8 hrs. per day 95% of day
2. Moving: Ability to move throughout plant: 95% of day
3. Lifting: up to 30 lbs. and over with assistance 25% of day
4. Push/Pull/Reach: 10 to 30 lbs. force to push. Reach up to 72”
5. Bending: Ability to pick up objects from the floor 25% of day

6. Visual Acuity: Read identification labels, complete required forms
7. Cognitive: Alert. Able to make decisions, reason, and understand
information. 100% of day
8. Pulmonary: Ability to work in wool dust environment

Full-Time Employee Benefits

• Flexible Work Hours
• 64 hours of unpaid “flex time” per year while maintaining full-time status
• 2 paid 10-minute breaks per day
• Vacation accrual per hour worked
• 10 paid holidays full-time (5 paid holidays part-time)
• $60/month paid toward AFLAC health insurance policy of choice for full-time
• 24 hours of paid sick leave for full-time (8 hrs paid sick leave for part-time)

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $15.00 - $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• On-the-job training
• Opportunities for advancement

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 4 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Commute:

• Buffalo, WY 82834 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Buffalo, WY 82834: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $15 - $18