Job Description

Maintenance Technician - Wed/Thur & e/o Fri-Sun

Location

- This is an onsite role that works at the Chaseburg Creamery in Chaseburg, WI. The shift hours are 6pm-6am every Wednesday and Thursday and every other Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Employee Type

- Hourly

Bonus Eligibility

- No

Safety Sensitive

- Yes



If a company is going to make a difference in today's world, it's going to have to think differently. At Organic Valley, our philosophy and decisions are based on the health and welfare of people, animals and the earth. We're a mission-driven cooperative, owned by family farmers, and we've been leaders in organic agriculture from the very beginning. Once pioneers of organic agriculture, we're now an established leader. Organic is all we do. We are driven by our mission to promote regional farm diversity and economic stability by the means of organic agricultural methods and the sale of certified organic products.

Summary of Role

The Maintenance Technician is a versatile and flexible role designed to ensure seamless operations of the Chaseburg Creamery.


Provide multi-craft (mechanical/electrical/controls) maintenance for a highly automated dairy facility. Ensure safe, compliant, and reliable operation of production, packaging, and utility systems--including FDA/State-regulated pasteurization equipment, Weights & Measures sealed systems, and robotics--while maintaining documentation to meet food safety and regulatory requirements.

This is a safety sensitive role in a 24/7; 365 dairy processing operation. Occasional on-call is required for vacation and absence coverage.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Production, Packaging & Robotics

Troubleshoot, repair, and optimize automated equipment for butter in retail and bulk packaging, metal detection, case packing, and palletizing--including new robotic cells (program touch-up, I/O checks, EOAT changes, and safety interlocks).

Diagnose and correct issues with PLCs, VFDs, servomotors, HMIs, and industrial networks (e.g., EtherNet, DH+, etc.); replace/commission components and update device parameters.

Maintain butter churns and micro-fix, positive-displacement/centrifugal pumps, conveyors, fillers, checkweighers, and cartoners.

Maintain Centrifuges (Milk/Cream/Oil Separators) and high pressure pumps.

Maintain HTST pasteurizers (plates/heat exchangers, hold tubes, differential-pressure control, FDD/divert valves, legal seals, recorders/controllers) to support compliance with the PMO and WI DATCP requirements.

Maintain CIP (Clean-In-Place) skids (mix-proof valves, seat-lift, chemical dosing, conductivity/flow/temp controls) and COP (Clean-Out-of-Place) systems and troubleshoot cleaning efficacy of these systems.

Support sanitary conditions and hygienic maintenance practices (gaskets, seals, tubing, valve seats, clamp fittings, sanitary welding).


Instrumentation & Calibration

Calibrate, verify, and document flow meters, pressure transmitters, RTDs/temperature loops, level sensors, CIP conductivity, and metal detectors.

Maintain Weights & Measures sealed receiving and bulk load-out scaling systems; perform verifications, preserve tamper-evident seals, and coordinate inspections with appropriate agencies.

Use multimeters, calibrators, test weights, and loop simulators for signal tracing (4-20 mA, 0-10 V, RTDs, discrete I/O (110VAC & 24 VDC).


Utilities & Building Systems

Operate, monitor, and maintain ammonia refrigeration (compressors, evaporators, condensers) and glycol cooling system; participate in emergency ventilation/evacuation checks.

Operate and maintain high-pressure boilers/steam systems (feedwater systems, softeners, blowdown) and water reverse osmosis systems.

Maintain food?grade compressed air (compressors, dryers, filtration), HVAC, and ventilation systems (including ammonia and chemical fume extraction).

Maintain electrical systems up to 480 VAC, 3?phase (motor circuits, panels, disconnects, starters, VFDs), adhering to NFPA 70E practices.

Maintain building electrical and lighting systems.

Maintain control electrical systems and components.


Wastewater Pretreatment & Environmental Compliance

Operate and maintain the wastewater pretreatment plant--including DAF (dissolved air flotation), lift stations, and equalization tanks--performing sampling, testing, and process adjustments to meet Village of Chaseburg and WI DNR discharge requirements.

Inspect, clean, and repair pumps, dissolved?air systems, skimmers, pH/ORP probes, and control panels; document trends, alarms, and corrective actions.

Perform dry weather and rainfall inspections for DNR stormwater compliance.

Monitor creamery property for cleanliness related to stormwater runoff.



Reliability, Planning & Documentation

Execute preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance using the CMMS (Limble), ioffice (building maintenance), & Halo (Quality Request System); close work orders with cause/correction, record parts/labor, and update equipment history.

Read/interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, one?lines, equipment manuals, and OEM drawings; update as?builts and change?control records after modifications.

Assist with spare?parts management (min/max levels, critical spares) and identify reliability risks (track MTBF/MTTR, root cause analysis).


Contractor/Vendor & After?Hours Support

Interface with contractors and suppliers to quote, schedule, and oversee work; LOTO, permits, and QA sign?offs.

Order parts/materials and coordinate after?hours/weekend repairs to minimize downtime.

Participate in the on?call rotation; respond to emergency calls and support coverage for absences/vacations.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

Taking and processing samples for condition and compliance testing (e.g., water, boiler feed water, cooling tower water, wastewater, equipment oil).

Monitoring equipment, pasteurizers, separators, and Clean-in-Place (CIP) systems for wear and leaks.

Monitoring and documenting utility system parameters for proper and efficient operation (e.g., system pressures, temperatures, flow rates, daily volumes, filter changes).

Loading and unloading of semi-trailers with powered industrial trucks (pallet jacks, forklifts, etc.)

Handles confidential company information with discretion (customer's information, processes, etc.).

Electrical repairs and troubleshooting utilizing multi-meter and similar equipment on electrical and controls systems including 120 VAC, 208 VAC, 230/240 VAC, 480 VAC, 24 VDC

Electrical control wiring of but not limited to PLC controllers and components, Pressure/Level Sensors, VFDs, temperature sensors (RTDs), operator interfaces, control sensors.


Ensure food safety, safety, and maintenance records are completed accurately and timely.

Maintain detailed records of equipment checks and maintenance activities.

Complete required annual and periodic trainings in accordance with Organic Valley policies.

Respond promptly and respectfully to inquiries from internal stakeholders.

Ability to use software/computers - SAP, Ignition, Limble, iOffice, Microsoft office suite, Rockwell Automation, etc.

Collaborate with plant supervisors and staff to continuously improve maintenance processes and quality at Chaseburg Creamery.

Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Cleaning as required by master sanitation schedule (MSS)


Facility sanitation including manual cleaning of floors, walls and ceilings in maintenance related areas (boiler room, engine room, DAF, shop area, parts storeroom, etc.


The removal of trash and recyclables from maintenance and utility areas.


Perform daily, weekly, monthly & quarterly sanitation duties in a correct and timely fashion.


Exterior and incident cleanup.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Aptitude for electromechanical equipment operation and repair w/ advanced experience required.

Mechanical Aptitude with proficiency in troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining mechanical power equipment (e.g., pumps, motors, conveyors)

Advanced understanding of electrical drawings and piping and instrumentation schematics (P&ID) for troubleshooting.

Well versed in utilizing maintenance and parts manuals for assembling and disassembling equipment for repairs.

Proficient understanding of programming guides/manuals for instruments, sensors, chart recorders to perform repairs, adjustments, or replacement of failed devices.

Highly skilled related to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) troubleshooting including the ability to utilize Rockwell programs to connect to, view, and make edits to ladder logic.

Advanced experience replacing and/or adding devices to Ethernet based PLC network(s).

Proficient in setting parameters in VFDs and Loop (PID) controllers.

Develop and maintain work instructions (WI)/Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for maintenance tasks.


Work with regulatory inspectors including USDA, FDA, State of Wisconsin, IMS, & BRC

Exceptional understanding of Regulatory sealed systems (HTST/Pasteurizers, volumetric scaling)


Lead Timing and resealing of the HTST

Troubleshooting and diagnostics of HTST and pasteurization systems

Lead flow meter calibration w/ State of Wisconsin Weights and Measures

Requirements for breaking seals to perform repairs and adjustments.

Assist in maintaining spare parts inventory for planned maintenance and/or breakdown repairs, including requesting restock of inventory; restock when received.

Ability to perform general carpentry repairs.

Follow written and verbal instructions.

Provide clear written and verbal instructions/communication.

Represent Organic Valley professionally during audits and inspections by demonstrating thorough preparation, transparency, and adherence to applicable codes including company policies and procedures.

Collaborate and communicate effectively and professionally with team members to foster a positive and productive work environment.

Qualifications

Strong attention to detail and commitment to safety standards.

High School Diploma or GED

Preferred / Within 12 Months of Hire (Company-Supported)

3+ years industrial maintenance experience (food/beverage or sanitary process preferred) with hands?on exposure to PLCs/VFDs, instrumentation, and automated packaging.

Proficiency troubleshooting 480 VAC 3?phase power, low voltage AC & DC control circuits, sensors, pneumatics, and hydraulics.

Ability to read schematics/P&IDs, perform precision alignments, and use test equipment (multimeter, megger, calibrator, gauges).

Relevant certifications/licenses (e.g., Maintenance Management Certificate, Formal Electrical Apprenticeship).

CMMS experience (work orders, PMs, parts) and basic computer skills (email, spreadsheets, manuals).

Ability to lift to 50 pounds, occasionally up to 80 pounds.

Ammonia refrigeration training (RETA CARO/CIRO coursework or equivalent).

HAZMAT response training related to ammonia release and chemical spill response.

Willing and able to submit to respirator fit testing for respirator use (includes maintaining facial hair as required for proper use/fit)


Boiler operator and/or wastewater operator?in?training credentials.

PLC/HMI fundamentals (Allen?Bradley), basic robot teach?pendant operations, and checkweigher/metal detector verification.

Sanitary welding/fabrication (TIG) and stainless repair skills.

Hold, or willing to pursue and obtain, First Aid/CPR/AED certification



Physical & Work Environment Requirements

Frequently lift/push/pull up to 50 lb (occasionally 80 lb with assistance); standing, climbing ladders, and working at heights or in confined spaces.

Work in cold/wet/hot/noisy environments with chemicals and pressurized systems; wear required PPE (hearing, eye, gloves, respirator as needed).

Ability to respond to after?hours calls and weather?related facility needs.



Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Asset uptime & unplanned downtime reduction

PM compliance and work order closure quality

Calibration/on?time verification rate (instruments, scales, metal detectors)

Regulatory/audit results (PMO, WI DATCP, Weights & Measures, WI DNR)

Safety metrics (recordables, LOTO compliance, near?miss reporting)

Wastewater discharge compliance (pH, TSS/FOG, permit adherence)


Core Competencies

Ownership & Urgency o Technical Problem Solving o Communication & Teamwork o Food Safety & Quality Mindset o Planning & Prioritization o Vendor/Contractor Coordination o Continuous Improvement (5S/Lean)

Base hourly wage range:

$22.29 - $30.15 per hour

This position also receives a $1.00 per hour shift premium between the hours of 6pm and 6am, and a $1.00 per hour shift premium on Saturdays and Sundays. This hourly wage range is exclusive of fringe benefits. The compensation package may also include incentive compensation opportunities in the form of discretionary bonuses. If you are hired at CROPP, your final base hourly wage compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills, education, and/or experience. Additionally, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members as a part of any final offer. Please keep in mind that entry-level candidates to this role should expect to be at the lower end of the hourly wage range and hiring at the maximum of the hourly wage range is not typical.

Benefits

We believe when our people are strong, our mission is strong. Therefore, we offer a comprehensive and holistic Total Rewards package meant to strengthen employees' and their family's total wellbeing. Here are some of the great benefits offered:

Comprehensive Health Insurance - Choice of plans for you and your family, including some that can be paired with an HSA (which CROPP contributes to on your behalf) Supplemental insurances: we offer accidental insurance, critical illness insurance, and hospital indemnity insurance. Time Off - 136 hours in the 1st year of employment prorated by start date. Plus 9 paid holidays, plus one floating holiday to use at will. 6 Weeks Paid Parental Leave - For all gendered partners in childbirth or adoption. Vision & Dental Insurance - Free annual eye exam, discounts on glasses/contacts, flexible dental network, adult ortho. 401k - We match 100% up to the first 3% of an employee's contribution, and then 50% for 3.1%-5.0% of employee contributions. Free services at five local Neighborhood Family Clinics. Tuition Reimbursement - Up to $1,500 per year to support continuing higher education. Life Insurance - $50,000 policy funded by CROPP for each employee. Supplemental voluntary coverage available for employees, spouses, and children. Short-Term & Long-Term Disability/AD&D Insurance - $50,000 of life insurance coverage of $50,000 of AD&D coverage funded by CROPP for each employee. Employee Assistance Program - Free and Confidential for employees, spouses, and dependents. Free biometric screenings (cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure) and health coaching. Financial advisors and seminars Annual $360 Lifestyle Spending Account * $65 monthly massage/chiropractic reimbursement