Utilities Technician

Utilities Technician

Come join the Tillamook Team, one of the fastest-growing dairy brands in the US, where we Play to Win to create over 200 dairy products in 6 different categories: cheese, ice cream, yogurt, sour cream, butter, and cream cheese.

Our Uncompromising Quality has led us to become the #1 Cheddar, #2 Cream Cheese and #3 Family Size Ice Cream brand, but we're not stopping there. We're loading up for our best years to come and want you to join us.

As a farmer-owned cooperative since 1909, we know that being Good Stewards for our stakeholders and doing a little extra always pays off. We're looking for team members with a One Team and Genuine Care mindset who are inspired to share the delight of the Tillamook brand with each other and others every day.

What you will do:

The Utilities Technician operates, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs the utility systems supporting safe and reliable production at the Decatur, Illinois ice cream manufacturing facility. This position is primarily responsible for the plant's industrial ammonia refrigeration and boiler systems, including associated compressors, pumps, heat exchangers, valves, piping, controls, and safety devices. The Utilities Technician performs preventive and corrective maintenance, monitors system performance, responds to equipment and utility issues, and maintains accurate operating and maintenance records. This role works closely with Maintenance, Operations, contractors, and other partners to protect employees, maintain product and food safety, minimize operational disruptions, and improve utility-system reliability and efficiency.

Here's a day in the life:

• Operate and maintain utility systems. Safely operate, inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair the plant's industrial ammonia refrigeration and boiler systems, including compressors, burners, pumps, condensers, evaporators, heat exchangers, vessels, valves, piping, controls, and safety devices.
• Monitor system performance. Monitor pressures, temperatures, levels, operating trends, alarms, and other system conditions to identify developing problems and take timely corrective action.
• Perform planned maintenance. Complete preventive and predictive maintenance, inspections, testing, and equipment repairs in accordance with plant procedures, maintenance schedules, and manufacturer recommendations.
• Respond to utility disruptions. Respond promptly to alarms, equipment failures, production needs, and utility-system emergencies; communicate system status and coordinate planned or unplanned interruptions with Maintenance and Operations.
• Support additional plant utilities. Assist with the operation, maintenance, and reliability of compressed air, steam, condensate, water, HVAC, and other plant utility systems as assigned.
• Diagnose equipment issues. Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and control-system issues within the technician's qualifications and coordinate specialized work with other technicians, vendors, or contractors when necessary.
• Maintain records and documentation. Complete accurate operating logs and document inspections, maintenance activities, repairs, parts used, system conditions, and required follow-up work in the computerized maintenance management system.
• Maintain safety, compliance, and reliability. Follow applicable plant safety, food safety, environmental, emergency-response, and process-safety requirements; participate in incident reviews and support improvements to utility-system safety, reliability, and efficiency.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Required:

• High school diploma or GED.
• 2 years' experience operating and maintaining industrial utility systems, including boilers, refrigeration, compressed air, steam, or related equipment.
• Mechanical troubleshooting experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment.

Preferred:

• Experience operating and maintaining industrial ammonia refrigeration systems in a food, dairy, beverage, or other manufacturing environment.
• Experience operating and maintaining industrial boilers and steam-generation systems.
• RETA (Refrigerating Engineers & Technicians Association) certification, boiler operator certification, or equivalent technical training.
• Experience working within OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) programs and ammonia refrigeration safety requirements.
• Technical degree, vocational training, apprenticeship, or military training in industrial maintenance, utilities, refrigeration, HVAC, or a related field.
• Experience supporting utility reliability, energy management, or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience in a food manufacturing environment and knowledge of food safety and sanitation requirements.

Physical requirements:

• Sitting
• Standing and/or walking
• Lifting 25 lbs
• Vision for machine or computer operations
• Hearing
• Corporate role Must be able to travel 25-50% between Tillamook manufacturing facilities.

Working Conditions:

Maintenance: Work is normally in plant environment. Can include working outside in all weather conditions, working in confined spaces and in poorly lighted areas, walking on uneven, slippery surfaces and encountering forklift traffic. Requires standing majority of shift, walking on uneven, slippery surfaces, stooping, bending and crouching, and climbing ladders and stairs. Duties may include lifting up to 55 pounds and maneuvering heavy equipment and/or parts. Standing 50%, Walking 20%, Lifting 15%, Climbing 15%.

FACILITY SAFETY RESPONSIBILITES

• Follow and uphold Employee Safety policies and procedures outlined in the employee safety meetings, employee handbook, the CBAs, posted in the work environment, and/or as directed by supervisory staff.

FOOD SAFETY RESPONSIBILITES

• Report any food safety and quality problems to personnel with authority to initiate action.
• Follow and uphold procedures outlined in the Food Safety Plan and the Food Quality Plan and any other programs that support the SQF system and other 3rd party programs/audits.

Salary Information:

• This is an hourly position with a starting wage of $30.

Industry leading benefit and reward programs:

We offer a best-in-class benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and professional growth:

• Health Coverage: Low premiums for medical, prescription, dental, and vision plans.
• Retirement: 401(k) with 100% match on the first 6% you contribute.
• Wellness Support: Up to $420 annually for fitness-related expenses.
• Time Off: Competitive vacation, 10 paid holidays, birthday off, Heritage Day, and paid volunteer time.
• Family Support: Pet insurance and inclusive family-forming benefits including adoption assistance.
• Education: Financial assistance for online degrees, tuition reimbursement, and access to Rosetta Stone.
• Extra Perks : Yum Bucks for free Tillamook products, birthday gifts, employee discounts, and more. Learn more at

Join a team that values purpose, collaboration, and carefor each other and our communities. Learn

We are committed to creating a culture of inclusion where all employees are heard, valued and feel a sense of belonging. We rely on different perspectives, thoughts, backgrounds and cultures to inform our work, to help us be better as a brand and as an employer and to fuel our success. We are seeking talent from a wide range of diversity, perspectives, and backgrounds to join our exceptional organization and help us build our future.

Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) is a Drug-Free Workplace. EEO

TCCA prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability status (including those related to pregnancy and childbirth), protected veteran status, membership/non-membership in a labor organization, or any other characteristic protected