Hatchery Maintenance Technician

The Hatchery Maintenance Technician is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, and servicing hatchery equipment and facility systems to ensure safe, efficient, and uninterrupted hatchery operations. This position performs preventive and corrective maintenance on mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, pneumatic, hydraulic, and other equipment used throughout the hatchery.

The successful candidate must be dependable, safety-conscious, mechanically inclined, and capable of responding quickly to equipment problems. The mechanic will work closely with hatchery management, supervisors, operators, and other maintenance personnel to identify and resolve equipment issues.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform preventive maintenance on hatchery equipment and facility systems.
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, repair, and maintain mechanical and electrical equipment.
• Maintain and repair incubators, hatchers, conveyors, motors, pumps, fans, blowers, and related equipment.
• Troubleshoot electrical circuits, controls, motors, switches, sensors, and wiring.
• Perform maintenance on HVAC, ventilation, heating, cooling, and environmental-control systems.
• Maintain water, plumbing, drainage, and sanitation-related systems.
• Repair and maintain pneumatic and hydraulic equipment.
• Inspect machinery and equipment for unsafe conditions, wear, damage, or potential failures.
• Respond promptly to equipment breakdowns and production interruptions.
• Perform equipment adjustments and repairs to minimize downtime.
• Use hand tools, power tools, testing equipment, meters, and other maintenance equipment safely.
• Read and interpret equipment manuals, mechanical drawings, schematics, and wiring diagrams.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, repairs, inspections, and parts used.
• Assist with installation and start-up of new equipment and machinery.
• Perform basic welding, fabrication, cutting, and equipment modifications as needed.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area.
• Follow all company safety policies, GMPs, biosecurity procedures, sanitation requirements, and food-safety regulations.
• Wear all required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Communicate equipment problems and maintenance needs to supervisors and management.
• Perform other maintenance duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous mechanical, industrial, manufacturing, poultry, or facility maintenance experience preferred.
• Ability to troubleshoot and repair mechanical and electrical equipment.
• Basic knowledge of electrical systems, motors, controls, plumbing, HVAC, and mechanical systems.
• Ability to safely operate hand tools, power tools, meters, and other maintenance equipment.
• Ability to read and understand equipment manuals, diagrams, and basic schematics.
• Basic computer skills for completing maintenance records and work orders.
• Must be dependable, punctual, and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to work effectively as part of a team.
• Must be willing to work overtime, weekends, holidays, and different shifts when operational needs require.
• Must be willing and able to respond to equipment emergencies and breakdowns when needed.
• Must comply with all company policies and applicable safety and sanitation requirements.

The employee must be able to perform the physical requirements necessary to safely maintain hatchery equipment, including:

• Standing and walking for extended periods.
• Bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and climbing.
• Working from ladders, platforms, and elevated areas when required.
• Working in tight or confined spaces when necessary.
• Lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling tools, equipment, parts, and materials.
• Working in hot, cold, wet, humid, noisy, and mechanically active environments.
• Performing repetitive physical tasks as required.
• Wearing required PPE for extended periods.
• Ability to safely perform maintenance work around operating machinery.