Facilities Technician

Mars Incorporated; Waco (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars Incorporated is seeking an Utilities Technician for our Waco, TX facility. Onsite role requiring hands-on operation of NH3 refrigeration, boiler/steam, compressed air, HVAC/AHUs, and building utilities to support safe, reliable plant operations.

The candidate will monitor equipment, assist in incident investigations, and coordinate with maintenance and contractors. Shift work, including nights or weekends, may be required as part of operations.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of industrial utilities or plant operations experience.
• Hands-on exposure to NH3 refrigeration, boilers/steam, compressed air, HVAC/AHUs.
• Experience coordinating contractors in regulated manufacturing environments.
• NH3 refrigeration credentialing and boiler operator credentials preferred.
• Shift work may include nights/weekends/holidays.

Responsibilities

• Operate all assigned utility systems following site safety rules and procedures.
• Support compliance programs—inspections, permits, audits, investigations and corrective actions.
• Monitor NH3 refrigeration equipment; perform routine checks and trend operating parameters.
• Operate boilers/steam systems and maintain water treatment and blowdown tasks.
• Operate and monitor compressed air, HVAC/AHUs, and building utility systems.
• Coordinate with maintenance and approved contractors for repairs and shut downs.
• Maintain shift logs, readings, and CMMS documentation.

Skills

Safety-first mindset

Troubleshooting

Clear communication

Planning & prioritization

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma/GED

Technical training preferred

Job description

Job Description

Title: Utilities Technician

Location: Waco, TX

Workstyle: Onsite

Mars does not sponsor visas for this role. This position is not eligible for relocation benefits

What will be your responsibilities?

Safety & Compliance (Operations-Focused)

• Operate all assigned utility systems in accordance with site safety rules and procedures including LOTO, confined space, hot work, line-breaking, PPE, and chemical handling.
• Support compliance programs applicable to utility operations (e.g., mechanical integrity, inspection/testing documentation, permits, audits), including participation in incident investigations and corrective actions.
• Follow site emergency response procedures and elevate abnormal conditions immediately (including refrigeration alarms or suspected NH₃ leaks).

NH₃ Refrigeration & Refrigeration Compressors

• Monitor and operate NH₃ refrigeration equipment (compressors, vessels, condensers/evaporators, pumps, valves, and controls).
• Perform routine system checks/rounds, trend key operating parameters, and identify early signs of failure (oil issues, vibration, valve/actuator issues, control deviations, abnormal pressures/temps).
• Support planned shutdown/startup activities and coordinate repairs with Maintenance and approved contractors.

Boiler / Steam System (150 PSI Natural Gas)

• Operate and monitor boilers and steam distribution/condensate return systems to meet plant demand safely and efficiently.
• Perform or support boiler water checks, blowdown activities, and water treatment program tasks per site standards.
• Troubleshoot steam pressure/quality issues and coordinate corrective work on burners, feedwater, controls, traps, and related components.

Compressed Air & Plant Pneumatics

• Operate and monitor air compressors, dryers, filters, receivers, and distribution systems to maintain required pressure and air quality.
• Identify and respond to air system issues affecting production (pressure drop, excessive moisture, unusual compressor cycling, leaks).

HVAC / AHUs / Building Utility Systems

• Monitor AHUs, make-up air systems, ventilation, exhaust, and other building support utilities impacting environment and process reliability.
• Perform basic troubleshooting and coordinate repairs related to motors, belts, bearings, dampers, sensors, and controls.

Fire Protection & Security Systems Support

• Conduct routine checks and coordinate service/impairments for fire protection systems (fire pumps, valves, panels, inspections/testing support).
• Support operational continuity for site security systems (access control, alarms, cameras) by coordinating with vendors/IT/site security as required.
• Maintain documentation for inspections, impairments, and corrective actions.

Preventive Maintenance, Work Management, and Contractor Coordination

• Execute assigned PMs, operator care tasks, and basic corrective repairs; generate work orders for follow-up maintenance.
• Coordinate contractor activity in utility areas (permits, safety requirements, scope clarity, verification of completion).
• Maintain accurate shift logs, readings, and handoff notes; document work in CMMS.

Reliability & Continuous Improvement

• Track/communicate leading indicators (abnormal readings, repeat alarms, vibration/noise changes, leaks, degraded performance).
• Participate in root cause analysis and improvement actions to reduce downtime, energy waste, and recurring failures.

DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY

• Take immediate actions to stabilize utilities and protect personnel, product, and equipment during upsets.
• Escalate conditions requiring shutdown, isolation, or emergency response per site procedures.
• Recommend repairs, operating changes, PM improvements, and spare parts based on observed conditions and trends.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Effectiveness Competencies

• Safety-first mindset and operational discipline
• Troubleshooting / problem solving
• Clear communication and shift handoff quality
• Planning & prioritization during outages/upsets
• Team collaboration with Ops, Maintenance, and Contractors

Functional Competencies

• Working knowledge of industrial utility operations: NH₃ refrigeration, steam/boilers (150 PSI), compressed air, HVAC/AHUs, auxiliary systems
• Ability to interpret logs/trends; basic understanding of controls and instrumentation
• Ability to read equipment documentation and (preferred) P&IDs / schematics
• Competence in CMMS usage, documentation, and compliance recordkeeping

What are we looking for?

EDUCATION

• High school diploma/GED required
• Technical school, apprenticeship, or relevant military/industrial training preferred

LICENSES / CERTIFICATIONS (adjust to your requirement)

• NH₃ refrigeration credentialing (preferred; e.g., RETA-style certifications if you use them)
• Boiler operator credentials (preferred where applicable)

EXPERIENCE

• 3+ years industrial utilities or plant operations experience preferred (adjust)
• Hands-on exposure to at least two of the following strongly preferred: NH₃ refrigeration, boilers/steam, compressed air, industrial HVAC/AHUs
• Experience coordinating contractors and working in regulated manufacturing environments

OPERATING ENVIRONMENT AND GUIDANCE

• Industrial manufacturing environment; shift work may include nights/weekends/holidays
• Compliance with site safety programs and regulatory requirements applicable to utilities
• Participation in on-call / emergency response rotation as required

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join apurpose drivencompany, wherewe'restriving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.