Senior Maintenance Mechanic

1. POSITION INFORMATION

Position Title: Senior Maintenance Mechanic

Department: Maintenance

Works With: Maintenance Coordinator

Location: Sacramento Valley Walnut Growers, 896 O’Banion Rd. Yuba City, CA

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt (Hourly)

2. POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Maintenance Mechanic is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing processing, pasteurization, sorting, and utility systems within a walnut processing facility. This role supports safe, continuous, and compliant plant operations, including food safety-critical and validated Log 5 lethality equipment. The position works closely with Maintenance, Production, and FSQA to minimize downtime, protect validated processes, and ensure regulatory compliance. This is a senior-level mechanic role requiring strong mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic troubleshooting skills and independent judgment. Must provide own tools and equipment customarily required by the trade.

3. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Maintain and repair walnut shellers, sorting lines, sizing equipment, conveyors, elevators, and related infrastructure

2. Maintain laser and optical sorting equipment to ensure accurate defect detection and separation

3. Support operation and maintenance of boilers in coordination with licensed operators

4. Maintain reverse osmosis (RO) water systems including membranes, filters, pumps, and controls

5. Maintain pasteurization systems and associated thermal components, controls, and monitoring instrumentation

6. Perform scheduled preventive maintenance on processing and utility systems

7. Troubleshoot equipment failures and implement corrective repairs

8. Identify recurring equipment issues and recommend long-term solutions

9. Support validated Log 5 lethality processes by ensuring equipment reliability

10. Perform work in compliance with GMPs, HACCP, FSMA Preventive Controls, and validated Log 5 requirements

11. Follow Cal/OSHA safety standards including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), confined space, hot work permits, and PPE requirements

12. Immediately escalate conditions that may impact food safety or regulatory compliance

13. Maintain accurate maintenance logs and repair documentation

14. Utilize and support the facility Red Tag Program

15. Communicate equipment status and downtime risks to Maintenance Coordinator, Production, and FSQA

16. Assist in SOP and Work Instruction creation for safe operation of equipment

17. Assist with implementation of PM program

18. Proficient in the Microsoft Office

19. Able to perform routine inspection, preventative maintenance, and basic troubleshooting of ammonia refrigeration and cold storage systems to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operation.

4. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position does not have direct reports but may provide technical guidance to junior maintenance personnel or temporary staff.

5. QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Certifications / Licenses

Bilingual Requirements

6. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

7. WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed primarily in a walnut processing facility and may include outdoor weather. Conditions may include exposure to dust, noise, moving mechanical parts, temperature variations (including cold storage areas), and wet environments. Required use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

8. SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE

Employees must comply with all Company safety policies and procedures, including applicable Cal/OSHA regulations, food safety programs (GMP, HACCP, FSMA), and safe operation of equipment.

9. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The Company will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities consistent with applicable federal and California law.

10. DISCLAIMER

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities. Employment remains at-will.