California Dairies, Inc. is the leading dairy processing cooperative in California. As a farmer-owned cooperative, we operate several processing facilities located throughout California. CDI employees are highly valued and are provided competitive benefits packages and career growth plans.

We offer a generous total rewards package that includes:

• Hourly Wage $35.55 - $46.30 hourly 
• Family Medical/Dental/Vision
• Retirement Plans
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Loss Prevention and Safety Bonus Programs

Summary 

A Maintenance Mechanic shall be responsible for operating and maintaining the plant’s equipment, systems, and machines. Support and enforce SQF / QA, GMP, Safety policies and procedures, and production needs. “Food Safety and Quality” are the responsibilities of this position.

Essential Functions 

• Maintain and repair all production equipment: pumps, pasteurizers, high pressure pumps, evaporators, dryers, churns, valves, baggers, etc.
• Maintain and repair all support equipment: boiler, air-compressors, ammonia compressors, thermal storage units, condensers, vacuum pumps, ammonia systems, air conditioning units, waste water meters, conductivity meters, water meters, etc.
• Must have a working knowledge of and experience in plant maintenance operations.
• Handling of chemicals for support equipment operation. Chemical testing of boiler feed water, condensate, cooling tower water, glycol system, plant process water.
• Daily utilities reading.
• Fabrication and manufacturing of equipment for production needs; product and process piping, sanitary equipment, steam lines, chemical lines, pneumatic lines, etc.
• Documentation of all schematic and diagram changes to keep plant record current.
• Trained and qualified as a first responder to ammonia (or other chemical) leaks and spills.
• Must be able to work with a minimum amount of supervision in all key areas.
• Responsible for reporting on a daily basis work orders and activity reports.
• Responsible for all work being done in a timely fashion and done properly.
• Responsible for care and maintenance of company tools.
• Must have the ability to troubleshoot problems and be persistent until a solution is found.
• Report immediately to foreperson or supervisor of any damage, irregular activity, or unsafe conditions concerning equipment.
• Follow SQF, GMP, and HACCP policies and procedures.
• Follow all safety and working rules.
• Must have the ability to get along with co-workers, management personnel, customers, vendors, and employees in accordance with the company policies and working rules while ensuring a harmonious and conducive work environment.
• Maintain a positive attitude and contribute towards a quality environment.
• Excellent regular full time attendance in support of company objectives.
• Use initiative and judgment in making decisions, keeping with California Dairies, Inc. best interests.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• Minimum two years’ experience in a maintenance setting involving electronics, instrumentation, refrigeration, electrical, and general mechanical.
• A high school diploma or General Education Degree (GED) is preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal skills.
• Basic computational skills required.
• Simple math reasoning required.

Language Skills

English is required as the spoken language. A well-modulated tonal volume is required with excellent diction skills needed.

Reasoning Ability

Must have the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions given in written, oral, or diagram form.

Must have the ability to discern when issues may require input from levels of authority within the corporation.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Must possess or be able to acquire and maintain a forklift operator license.

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. The company will make reasonable accommodations that do not cause an undue hardship if such an accommodation enables individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Sitting/Standing/Walking: The mechanic stands and walks several hundred feet over uneven surfaces checking buildings and machines for needed repairs.

Lifting/Carrying: Lifts up to 25 pounds on a frequent basis and up to 75 pounds on an occasional basis. Two or more employees complete lifts of greater than 75 pounds.

Pushing/Pulling: Frequent pushing/pulling is done while using mechanic tools and equipment.

Bending/Stooping: Both are done regularly during the course of a workday.

Squatting/Kneeling/Crawling: All three movements are done on an occasional basis.

Twisting/Turning: Frequent twisting and turning are done while doing regular maintenance duties.

Climbing/Balancing: Involved in the inspection, installation, and maintenance of processing equipment, which could involve climbing vertical ladders or over 100 steps to the top of the dryers or evaporators.

Reaching: Frequently reaching from floor level to shoulder level.

Grasping/Manipulating: Frequent use of hands and fingers while using hand tools and positioning of machine parts.

Equipment

Pumps, pneumatic values, AC dives, motor starters, separators, instrumentation, welding, grinding, butter equipment, fans, high pressure pumps, electrical troubleshooting, powder packaging equipment, PLC controls, gearboxes, pneumatic system, boilers, ammonia compressors, ammonia system, glycol system, cooling towers, air compressors, pasteurizers.

ADA/FEHA

The company will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act.

EEO

The company is an equal employment opportunity employer.