Farm Maintenance Technician - Benson Growout

Maintenance Technician

Full Time – Hourly

At Hormel Foods, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range.  The base hiring pay range for this role is between $22.40 per hour, and your actual base pay within that range will depend upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge, skill set, level of experience, and geographic market location.

• Applicants must not now, or at any time in the future, require employer sponsorship for a work visa.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer. 
• Must be 18 years of age or older (all plant positions) 

Purpose of Position:

Perform advanced repair and preventative maintenance of various equipment, systems and buildings, including technical service of these areas associated with the rearing and production of Commercial turkeys.Enhance the department's ability to meet internal and external customer expectations.

Principle Accountabilities:

• Responsible to assist with job and safety training of employees and temporary employees assigned to assist this department.

• Responsible to communicate with supervisors, coworkers, team members, and outside vendors in a positive and respectful manner.

• Responsible to work independently and take direction from the Maintenance Lead in tasks that need to be completed.

• Comply with and enforce safety requirements and wear appropriate PPE.

• Assist in Annual Farm Safety Compliance Audits and ensure farms are meeting or exceeding Company standards.

• Be knowledgeable of and enforce biosecurity, policies and procedures in the department.

• Responsible to prioritize work and work efficiently under time constraints.

  • Priority A: Barn's Environmental Management - Feed, water, lighting, ventilation (heat, exhaust, circulation).

  • Priority B: Product Environmental Management - Fogger units, vaporizer units, chemical distribution systems.

  • Priority C: Employee Safety Management - As it applies to and within Priority A and B above, including Priority D and E below.

  • Priority D: Fire Safety Management - Equipment and barns.

  • Priority E: Light Carpentry Management - Barns.

• Maintain shop parts room, truck and surrounding area in organized order and clean condition.

• Maintain level of parts inventory in truck for day-to-day replacement needs.

• Set up various pieces of new equipment in proper operating condition.Make necessary modifications and change following diagram of new equipment.Participate in decision making of new equipment and systems.

• Familiar with and responsible to interpret provisions of the National Electrical Code and State Plumbing Code, and maintain DNR licensing for water well installation and repair.

• Understand and utilize electrical and electronic schematics, diagrams, and components.

• Understand and utilize operating manuals and or Company programs and policies.

• Diagnose and perform repairs, calibrations on electromechanical and solid state devices such as: D.C. motors, motor control and protection circuits, sensors, relays, solenoid valves, timers, proximity switches, photoelectric switches, pressure switches, and thermocouples.

• Diagnose service and repair electronic/electrical circuitry associated with chemical distribution systems, fogger systems, vaporizer units, alarm systems, and environmental controllers.

• Diagnose, service and repair flame safety controls, hot service ignition controls, transformers, high limit switches, and gas control valves associated with agricultural furnaces.

• Calculation and installation of regulator on natural and propane gas systems.

• Perform oxygen/acetylene cutting and brazing.Welding on ferrous and nonferrous metals using proper equipment and consumable rod required to conform to the metal characteristics of the components to be welded.

• Assist farms in regular and preventative maintenance on all equipment and vehicles.

• Operate farm equipment when needed.

Minimum Qualification:

• Three years of verifiable experience in repairs of equipment and facilities associated with poultry production, or Vocational/Technical degree in maintenance related technology.

• High School Diploma or equivalent.

• Strong organizational skills in the area of managing own work load, maintaining inventories.

• Good oral communication skills to effectively deal with employees, peers, supervisors, and outside contractors.

• Valid Minnesota driver's license with good vehicle operating records.

• Able to work five days per week with varied hours per day as scheduled and to be available after hours for emergencies.

• Understand and perform computer functions, i.e. alarm, and ventilation controllers.

• Must be in good physical condition.No restrictions against physically repetitive activities of lifting, bending, twisting, and climbing.No restrictions prohibiting work in a hot, dusty environment with ammonia present.(Hot is defined as 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and cold is defined as -30 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit.)

• Performance results must have met expectations with Jennie-O Turkey Store (internal candidate) and/or previous employer in the following:

  • Attendance and Dependability

  • Performance, Quantity, and Quality

  • Behavior and Cooperation

  • Employee Safety

Preferred qualifications:

• Vocational degree related to agricultural confinement building systems and maintenance, and four years of verifiable experience in repair of assets and equipment of poultry production facilities.

• Able to understand and use computer software such as Excel and Windows.

• Successful completion of Jennie-O Turkey Store Company's Supervisory and Management Skill Training Program.

• Exceeding performance results with Jennie-O Turkey Store Company (internal candidate) and/or previous employer in the following areas:

  • Attendance and Dependability

  • Performance, Quantity, and Quality

  • Behavior and Cooperation

  • Employee Safety

What you will receive:

• Competitive pay with pay increases
• You will be trained on all equipment and procedures to prepare you for your role
• Extraordinary benefit package including medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage. Eligible for health care plans after 30 days of employment!
• Life & disability insurance, PTO, paid holidays, 401K, pension, stock purchase plan.
• Continuing education and FREE two-year community/technical college tuition for children of employees and much more.
• Advancement opportunities
• Employment with a solid employer – People stay here for the great employee experience and the long-term opportunities available.

Hormel Foods provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability.

About Hormel Foods — Inspired People. Inspired Food.^™
Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with approximately $12 billion in annual revenue. Its brands include PLANTERS^®, SKIPPY^®, SPAM^®, HORMEL^® NATURAL CHOICE^®, APPLEGATE^®, WHOLLY^®, HORMEL^® BLACK LABEL^®, COLUMBUS^®, JENNIE-O^® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America’s most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World’s Best Companies and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement — Inspired People. Inspired Food.^™ — to bring some of the world’s most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit hormelfoods.com.

Pay Ranges: $22.40