Maintenance Journeyman/AC&R (HVAC)

Searles Valley Minerals provides customers worldwide with high quality soda ash, sodium sulfate, and boron products from a large saline mineral deposit in California’s Mojave Desert. Searles Valley Minerals uses an environmentally friendly solution mining technology to extract mineral rich brines from over 25,000 acres of leased and owned reserves which it processes using proprietary technologies in three manufacturing facilities in Trona, California.

We are seeking experienced and motivated candidates for the position of Maintenance Journeyman, AC&R. This position will be responsible for installation, repair, and replacement of gas-fired, steam, hot-water, air conditioning, heating, and ventilating systems, including control instruments and equipment. The Maintenance Journeyman, AC&R works with other maintenance personnel and plant operating staff to make sure plant facilities and equipment are supported and maintained in a safe and efficient operating condition at all times. This position reports into the Maintenance and Central Services Department. Compliance with applicable State and Federal Regulations related to safety and the environment is an important part of this position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Maintain HVAC equipment in accordance with defined safety procedures

- Knowledge of LOTO procedures.

- Comply with safety requirements, industry and plant standards and codes, and industry best practices, acting in a safe manner at all times

- Keep tools, equipment, and work area clean, organized and in good working condition

- Follow safe work practices for all work activities and wear personal protective equipment as required.

- Keep all equipment in compliance with regulatory and safety standards and in good working order.

Identify, plan and execute the repairs, installation, preventive maintenance and upkeep of HVAC equipment across multiple facilities.

- Install, repair and replace hot-water, low-pressure steam, and direct gas-fired heating systems; chilled-water and direct-expansion air conditioning systems, including condensers and cooling towers; variable refrigerant flow systems

- Perform preventive maintenance (PM) inspections and service activities, including calibration, adjustment, cleaning and lubrication activities.

- Read and interpret blue prints, mechanical drawings, maintenance and technical manuals for equipment repair, installation or modification.

- Fabricate repair parts or additions for process as necessary.

Diagnose complex mechanical problems and make repairs, modifications, adjustments and alignments on HVAC equipment to resolve maintenance issues, improve equipment reliability, minimize equipment downtime and support improvement activities for productivity and yield enhancement

- Troubleshoot and assist with equipment failure root cause analysis with prompt resolution.

- Perform thorough inspection of equipment and identify unsatisfactory conditions.

- Analyze and document complex inspection and repair information.

- Coordinate with contractors and engineers for replacement of HVAC system; make estimates of labor and material costs for jobs, including researching vendors.

Help plan, assign and direct work of AC&R shop personnel, including contractors when warranted.

- Ensure that assigned personnel have appropriate training, work instructions and tools to successfully do their job.

- Serve as mentor for technicians and trainees, including on the job training as necessary.

- Maintain, monitor and update personnel records, making sure all needed training and certifications are up to date.

- Familiarity with pipes, traps, boilers, pumps, valves, coils, radiators, air and refrigeration compressors, furnaces, vents, fans, blowers, VFD’s safety controls, and related equipment.

- Familiarity with heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and air distribution systems and equipment, as well as design, construction, and functions of mechanical, pneumatic, electrical and electronic control systems, including energy management systems.

- Display working knowledge of the standard practices, materials, tools, test equipment and machinery used in the repair and maintenance of HVAC equipment used in production/manufacturing facilities.

- Ability to work in areas under adverse conditions that may require the donning and use of personal protective equipment.

- Ability to work alone or with a team while using sound judgment in repairing and maintaining equipment

- Must be able to handle multiple priorities, be able to work under pressure and meet strict timelines, while working safely.

- Should be able to work long hours and call-ins if necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS:

- High school diploma, GED or equivalent

- Completion of an approved heating and air conditioning or refrigeration apprenticeship/training program and/or technical trade school.

- Must have a minimum of 5 years of HVAC technician experience, at least 2 years at the journeyman level.

- Maintenance experience in a production/manufacturing/refining/military environment, troubleshooting and repairing all types of industrial HVAC equipment preferred

- Valid Driver’s License required

- EPA Section 608 certification required

The candidate must have a general knowledge of math and be proficient in reading schematics and electrical diagrams. He or she must possess effective writing and verbal skills. The candidate should have a working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite and must be able to learn and effectively use internal software systems to maintain accurate documentation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

- Requires normal or correctable vision, normal hearing, and manual dexterity.

- May regularly require: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling.

- May frequently require lifting up to 50 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

- Primarily in physical plant and exposure to outdoor weather and loud noise.

- Regularly works near moving mechanical parts, in high precarious places, near fumes or airborne particles, in non-weather related conditions such as extreme heat, and may be subject to vibration.

- Occasionally works in non-weather related conditions such as wet and/or humid.

- Occasionally works with toxic or caustic chemicals.

Searles Valley Minerals provides a competitive salary, a relocation package for some positions, and an outstanding employee benefit package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid time off, a 401k retirement savings program, and paid holidays. This compensation package coupled with a dynamic and challenging work environment employing a diverse, sustainable and highly skilled workforce makes Searles Valley Minerals an excellent employment opportunity.

Searles Valley Minerals is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, parental status, ancestry, disability, gender identity, veteran status, genetic information, other distinguishing characteristics of diversity and inclusion, or any other protected status.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

- 401(k)

- 401(k) matching

- Dental insurance

- Employee assistance program

- Flexible spending account

- Health insurance

- Life insurance

- Paid time off

- Tuition reimbursement

- Vision insurance

Schedule:

- 10 hour shift

This position is located in Trona, CA.

Work Location: In person

Searles Valley Minerals is a Responsible Care® Company that has a commitment to a culture of safety throughout its operations. We employ over 700 employees and contractors and operate continuously to safely and sustainably provide customers with quality products. We ship thousands of tons of high grade mineral product daily to major manufacturers in the US and worldwide. Searles Valley Minerals provides a competitive salary and an outstanding employee benefit package that includes comprehensive medical and dental plans, short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid time off, a 401k retirement savings program, and paid holidays. This compensation package coupled with a dynamic and challenging work environment employing a diverse, sustainable and highly skilled workforce makes Searles Valley Minerals an excellent employment opportunity.