What are the responsibilities and job description for the Refractory Technician position at Gerdau?
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Job Description – Refractory TechnicianThe Refractory Technician is responsible for the installation, inspection, maintenance, and performance monitoring of refractory materials and lining systems. The role ensures the reliability, safety, and efficiency of furnaces, ladles, tundishes, and other refractory lined equipment.The incumbent supports operational stability by applying refractory best practices, identifying wear mechanisms, recommending improvements, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.________________________________________Key Responsibilities• Install, repair, and maintain refractory linings in furnaces, ladles, converters, and auxiliary equipment.• Perform inspections to evaluate refractory condition, wear, and failure mechanisms.• Monitor refractory performance and campaign life, identifying opportunities for improvement.• Support refractory dry outs, heat ups, and controlled startup procedures.• Work closely with Operations, Process Engineering, and Maintenance to optimize refractory selection and usage.• Assist in refractory failure analysis and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards.• Support refractory inventories, material tracking, and usage reporting.• Provide technical guidance and training to operators and maintenance personnel.• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and cost reduction projects.________________________________________Qualifications• 5 years of experience in refractory installation, maintenance, or technical support in steelmaking or heavy industry.• Strong knowledge of refractory materials, installation methods, and wear mechanisms.• Familiarity with Meltshop processes (melting, refining, casting).• Ability to read technical drawings, refractory layouts, and procedures.• Strong safety awareness and ability to work in industrial environments.• Good communication, organization, and problem solving skills.• Willingness to work shifts and support outages or shutdowns as required.________________________________________Reporting & Scope• Reports to the Refractory Routine Facilitator.• Works closely with cross functional teams to support operational performance and reliability.• Scope includes refractory systems critical to plant safety, costs, and equipment availability
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