Utilities Technician - Maintenance

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following:

• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot all plant utility systems, including ammonia refrigeration, HVAC, boilers, compressed air systems, fire protection systems, water and wastewater systems, natural gas systems and chemical treatment systems.
• Perform regular scheduled Preventive Maintenance on utility equipment and plant facilities and document in CMMS.
• Perform daily inspections and complete verification logs on all systems.
• Support PSM program by keeping up on documentation, SOP reviews, and audit support.
• Work with outside contractors and services to perform scheduled preventive work or inspections, and for outside support when needed.
• Read and interpret equipment manuals and work requests to perform required maintenance and service.
• Perform basic machinist and welding duties as needs dictate.
• Monitor the water treatment systems; for boilers, cooling towers, and plant.
• Monitor the HVAC system; complete preventive maintenance, change filters, clean coils as needed.
• Monitor and maintain air compressors and vacuum pumps.
• Perform a variety of plumbing maintenance and carpentry functions.
• Use a variety of hand and power tools, electric meters and material handling equipment in performing duties.
• Detect faulty operations, defective material and report those and any unusual situations to the appropriate personnel.
• Follow established equipment Lockout/Tagout procedures as required without fail.
• Comply with all safety rules and regulations per established company policies.
• Maintain clean and orderly work areas.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and with changing environmental conditions.  Must be highly motivated and able to work independently.  Must have demonstrated mechanical and electrical knowledge and repair abilities, and be able to effectively manage multiple priorities.  Must be forklift certified, or have the ability to achieve certification upon placement in the position.

Education and/or Experience                                                   

This position typically requires a high school diploma/GED.  An Associate’s degree in Mechanical Technology, Electro-mechanical Technology or related field is preferred, or completion of a craft apprenticeship.  If non-degreed, an equivalent number of years of training and production maintenance experience are required.  A minimum of 3 years of maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment is required, preferably in a USDA-regulated environment, and with broad hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, electrical and industrial skills application.  PLC, boiler, ammonia refrigeration system, and HVAC experience is preferred.  Previous exposure to power systems, AC frequency drives, gearboxes, chain and belt drives, and pumps is also preferred.

Communication Skills                                                  

Must possess good verbal and interpersonal communication skills.  Must have the ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Must be able to read and interpret schematics.

Computer Skills

Must have basic computer proficiency with Maintenance CMMS, Word, Excel and Outlook. 

Mathematical Skills                                                     

Must have basic math skills.

Reasoning Ability                                             

Must have the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, verbal or diagram form.  Must possess strong trouble shooting and problem solving skills.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the partner is frequently required to stand for extended periods; walk; sit and talk or hear. The partner is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms, with repetitive motions of hands, arms and shoulders. The partner must regularly lift up to 50# and periodically lift and/or move up to 75 #.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and depth perception.  

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. There is a wide variation of temperatures ranging from 35° F to 100° F in the various work areas.  The work environment is wet and slippery most times, and the noise level in the production work environment is usually loud.  Maintenance Partners are required to wear frocks, hairnets, hearing protection, and EH-rated composite toed slip-resistant footwear at all times on the production floor.  Gloves, goggles, and face shield may be required at different times in the course of the work being performed.