Maintenance Mechanic

Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you’ll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day.

Maintenance Mechanic installs, maintains, and repairs machinery, equipment, physical structures, pipes, electrical and hydraulic systems by performing the following duties. Must be available for all shifts (1st, 2nd & 3rd). Must also be available on weekends and holidays.

**Sign-on Bonus: $10,000**

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Listens for unusual sound from machines or equipment to detect malfunction and discuss machine operation variations with operators, supervisors or other maintenance workers to diagnose problem and repair machine.
• Shuts down machine or equipment and "Locks Out" all energy sources before starting repairs. Installs new or repaired parts. Tests to ensure proper operation.
• Cleans and lubricates shafts, bearings, gears, and other parts of machinery according to company procedures or schedules.
• Installs and repairs electrical wiring and electrical and/or electronic components on machinery and equipment.
• Lays out, assembles, installs, repairs and maintains pipe systems and related hydraulic and pneumatic equipment, repairs and replaces gauges, valves, pressure regulators, and related equipment.
• Repairs and maintains physical condition of facility. e.g.: May have to fabricate and/or repair counters, benches, walls, partitions, and other structures as deemed necessary.
• Installs, programs and repairs automated machinery and equipment such as, programmable controllers, pumps, separators, homogenizers, packaging machines, compressors, refrigeration systems and other equipment as needed and trained to repair.
• Sets up and operates machine tools such as lathe, grinder, drill, to repair or fabricate machine parts, jigs, fixtures and tools.
• Operates cutting torch or welding equipment to cut or join metal parts.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• Ability to read and interpret work orders, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to fill out routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively and convey information to other employees.
• Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) or one to three years related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms above shoulder height, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk and hear and taste and smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit.
• The employee may have to get on top of machinery as well as crawling under machinery.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 55 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. With other mechanics may have to occasionally lift parts in excess of 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job the employee regularly works near moving mechanical equipment. The employee often works in high, precarious places and in outside weather conditions. Is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and cleaning chemicals. Personal protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn per company policies.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Hearing protection may be required with some jobs.

EARNING POTENTIAL & CERTIFICATION INCENTIVES:

Base pay starting at $28.53–$31.53/hr. , with total potential earnings up to $42.53/hr .

Earn more as you grow: Up to $11/hour in skill-based incentives for qualifying certifications and licenses.

Employees may increase their hourly rate by holding, earning, or maintaining the following certifications and licenses:

• Certification for Ammonia Refrigeration
• License for Boiler, First Class or Higher
• License for Industrial Electrical
• Certification for PLC Programming Operation and Trouble Shooting
• HTST
• Respirator
• Instrumentation and Control Technician

Upstate Niagara Cooperative supports ongoing training and certification development to help employees grow their skills and maximize their earning potential.

*The hourly rate as indicated in the CBA. The posted pay rate reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.


Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.