Hatchery Maintenance

Description

Hatchery Maintenance Mechanic

At Pilgrim’s, Safety Is A Condition, which means the safety of our team members comes first – always.

Join our Hatchery Maintenance team and play a vital role in delivering safe, high‑quality poultry products to customers. In this hands‑on position as a Hatchery Maintenance Technician, you will ensure all hatchery equipment—incubators, setters, vaccinators, HVAC, and automated systems—runs efficiently through proactive preventive maintenance (PMs), diagnostics, and repairs, handling electrical, mechanical, and fabrication tasks while maintaining accurate logs for optimal chicken production and facility upkeep.

You will operate and fix equipment, maintain a clean work area, and follow all safety and biosecurity guidelines. This is a fast‑paced environment where attention to detail and teamwork are key. If you are dependable, willing to learn, and ready to grow with a company committed to excellence, this is your opportunity to make an impact!

• Equipment Maintenance:
  Install, inspect, PM, and repair incubators, hatchers, setters, ventilation (HVAC), conveyor belts, and automated control systems.
• Troubleshooting & Repair:
  Diagnose and fix malfunctioning machinery, often involving electrical controls, pneumatic, and mechanical components.
• Preventive Maintenance:
  Conduct routine checks and scheduled maintenance to prevent breakdowns and maximize equipment uptime.
• Fabrication & Construction:
  Modify, repair, and construct equipment and structures as needed, often involving steel fabrication.
• Record Keeping:
  Maintain detailed logs and work orders (often in systems like SAP) for all maintenance activities.
• Continuous Improvement:
  Identify and suggest improvements to processes and equipment for better efficiency.
• Facility Upkeep:
  Perform general maintenance on the hatchery building and grounds.
• Must become familiar with and adhere to all general hatchery safety policies within the first 6 months of employment.

• Must have a good work history and attendance record.
• Must have a good history of safe work practices.
• Must be able to work any shift, weekends, holidays, and be on call for plant emergencies as they arise.
• Must be able to work at heights of 40 to 60 feet.
• Must possess basic mechanical abilities.
• Must be able to learn the basic day‑to‑day functions of Hatchery Maintenance within a 45‑day trial period.
• Must have excellent communication skills both written and oral.
• Will perform all other duties as directed by Refrigeration Management.
• Must obey all USDA, HACCP, Hatchery and safety rules & regulations.
• Must have or purchase and maintain all tools required to work in this position.
• Must communicate to Hatchery management any situation or issues needing to be addressed on a daily basis.

• Strong knowledge of electrical systems (24V to 480V), including the ability to read schematics and troubleshoot motor controls or VFDs.
• Familiarity with pneumatic air systems and PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) troubleshooting is often preferred.
• Experience:
  
  Typically requires 3–5 years of industrial equipment maintenance experience.
• Safety Training:
  Proficiency in Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures and willingness to obtain confined space certification.
• Physical Requirements:
  
  Ability to work at elevated heights, in dusty atmospheres, and in temperature extremes (refrigerated areas or high‑heat environments).

• Bio‑security:
  Strict adherence to bio‑security protocols is mandatory; many employers prohibit ownership of or contact with personal feathered animals.
• Flexible
  
  Hours:
  
  Roles often require weekend, holiday, or night shift work to support 24/7 hatchery operations.
• PPE:
  Technicians must use specialized PPE, including full‑face respirators when working in the presence of chemicals like formaldehyde.

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Previous training experience preferred; positive and motivated attitude.

• Strong communication skills and professional demeanor.
• Ability to work in hot/cold environments and stand for long periods.
• Excellent organizational and time‑management skills.
• Flexible…