Industrial Ammonia Refrigeration Technician

Culture Fresh Foods, Inc. • Full-time • Naugatuck, Connecticut, United States • $30 - $35 / hour • 2m ago

Position Summary: The Industrial Ammonia Refrigeration Technician is responsible for operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting industrial refrigeration systems utilizing anhydrous ammonia (NH₃) as the primary refrigerant. This role ensures safe, efficient, and reliable operation of refrigeration equipment in compliance with OSHA, EPA, IIAR, and PSM/RMP regulatory requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the following satisfactorily; other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Monitor, operate, and adjust industrial ammonia refrigeration systems to maintain optimal performance.

· Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on compressors, condensers, evaporators, pumps, cooling towers, valves, and associated components.

· Log system performance data and take corrective actions as needed.

· Conduct oil changes, filter replacements, vibration monitoring, and alignment checks.

· Diagnose and repair issues with electrical, mechanical, and control components within the refrigeration system.

· Respond to system alarms and emergencies, performing rapid diagnostics and corrective actions.

· Maintain and repair PLCs, VFDs, automated controls, and instrumentation related to refrigeration operations.

· Follow and support Process Safety Management (PSM) and Risk Management Plan (RMP) procedures.

· Maintain documentation including system logs, maintenance records, and compliance reports.

· Participate in safety meetings, emergency response drills, and annual compliance audits.

· Ensure adherence to IIAR standards and OSHA regulations related to ammonia systems.

· Safely handle ammonia during line break, pump-down, charging, and purging operations.

· Assist with cooler, HVAC, and process equipment temperature control.

· Provide technical support during facility shutdowns, startups, and capital projects.

· Coordinate with contractors, inspectors, and engineers during system upgrades or repairs.

When not performing the duties of the Industrial Ammonia Refrigeration Technician above, the employee is expected to assist with any Maintenance Technician duties as needed:

· Perform routine, preventative, and emergency maintenance on production and facility equipment.

· Troubleshoot and repair equipment such as fillers, mixers, conveyors, compressors, and pumps.

· Replace or repair control devices including sensors, switches, photo eyes, contractors, and motor starters.

· Support troubleshooting of PLC systems (Allen-Bradley preferred); programming knowledge is a plus.

· Set up and operates welders, grinders, drill presses, and hand tools; sanitary welding experience preferred.

· Fabricate and modify new or existing production equipment as needed.

· Coordinate service and maintenance work with production teams to minimize downtime.

· Support installations of new equipment and facility improvements.

· Participate in project-based work such as equipment rebuilds and refurbishments.

· Follow LOTO procedures and maintain proper safety protocols during all work.

· Maintain parts and supply inventory; anticipate needs and expedite orders.

· Ensure maintenance documentation is accurate and up to date.

· Maintain a clean and organized maintenance shop at all times.

· Support successful completion of maintenance-related audits.

· Assist with vendor coordination for specialized repair or service work.

· Uphold Company safety, GMP, and sanitation standards in all maintenance activities.

· Remain available for 24-hour on-call support as part of a rotation.

· Perform any other tasks assigned by the Maintenance Manager.

Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following.

Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrives at meetings and appointments on time.

Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Ethics - Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and principles; upholds organizational values.

Job Knowledge - Competent in required job skills and knowledge; exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; keeps abreast of current developments; requires minimal supervision; displays understanding of how job relates to others; uses resources effectively.

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality.

Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly.

Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; analyzes market and competition; identifies external threats and opportunities; adapts strategy to changing conditions.

Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Education/Experience:

· One year certificate from college or technical school; or three to six months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Ability:

· Read, analyze, and interpret business, professional, technical, or governmental documents. Write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, customers, and the public.

Mathematical Ability:

· Work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability:

· Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills:

· Microsoft Office

Certificates and Licenses:

· RETA CARO or CIRO certification.

· Ammonia Emergency Response training.

· HVAC/R certification or trade school diploma.

· Experience with PLCs/VFDs and automated control systems.

· Boiler operator license.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

No supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to work in a wet or humid environment, and work near moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally required to work near fumes or airborne particles, work near toxic or caustic chemicals, work in extreme heat, and work with a risk of electrical shock.

The noise level in the work environment is typically loud.

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger/handle/feel, and talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop/crouch/kneel/crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit, and taste or smell.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to lift up to 50 pounds.

The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $30.00 - $35.00 per hour

Benefits: