Head of Refrigeration

Silver Bay Seafoods; Petersburg (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Silver Bay Seafoods LLC seeks a Head of Refrigeration in Petersburg, VA. You will oversee NH3 and other refrigerant systems, plan maintenance, schedule work, and lead a team to ensure safe, reliable operation across our facility and vessels.

Strong leadership and problem-solving are essential for high production and compliance. Responsibilities include diagnosing equipment, implementing preventative programs, maintaining logs, and training staff in PSM, OSHA, and EPA standards while

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; 5+ years in industrial ammonia refrigeration maintenance.
• Experience with ammonia refrigeration systems (NH3, R22, R404A) and controls.
• CIRO certification required; CRES preferred.
• Ability to read and follow mechanical/electrical instructions safely.

Responsibilities

• Assess and prioritize refrigerant loads and manage systems for high production.
• Diagnose and repair all refrigeration equipment.
• Plan and execute preventative maintenance programs and schedules.
• Maintain maintenance logs and regulatory paperwork (PSM/OSHA/EPA).
• Train and supervise refrigeration staff; coordinate with crew and supervisors.

Skills

CIRO certification

Forklift operation

Telehandler operation

Industrial ammonia refrigeration

Education

High school diploma or GED equivalent

Job description

Silver Bay Seafoods LLC | 03 - Maintenance (Year-Round)

Head of Refrigeration

Petersburg, United States | Posted on 08/30/2026

The Head of Refrigeration manages andmaintainsmultiple systems of NH3 (anhydrous ammonia), R22(HCFC), R404A(HFC), R507(HFC) and other refrigerants asencounteredin our facility and on fishing vessels. He/she will assess maintenance needs and plan, schedule, and perform preventative maintenance as well as manage and instruct multiple employees in good refrigeration operation and maintenance procedures and techniques.

EssentialFunctions/Qualifications

The responsibilities of the position include the following:

• Assess and prioritize refrigerant loads and manage systems for high production.
  
• Diagnose and repair all refrigeration related equipment.
  
• Assess ongoing preventative maintenance needs and implement programs to keep equipment in excellent operating condition
  
• Diagnose and correct or repair operational deficiencies in refrigeration performance and equipment
  
• Maintains records and paperwork required for maintenance and operations logs and compliance issues
  
• Clearly explain steps, provide clear directions, and answer questions about refrigeration processes to employees, coworkers and supervisors.
  
• Diagnose and repair all refrigeration related equipment
  
• Complete and fulfill paperwork required for material orders, and time sheets.
  
• Organize and schedule maintenance and repairs.
  
• Communicate with Refrigeration crew in off season and forecast staffing needs for future operations.
  
• Maintenance and administration of the PSM program.
  
• Training & continuing education for new and current Refrigeration Operators in all aspects of the job and PSM program.
  
• Works as liaison between Silver Bay and any regulatory compliance agencies
  
• Assists in walk around site inspections and formal process of regulatory affairs.
  
• Operates equipment safely and within its limitations.
  
• Follows all OSHA/AKOSH/EPA standards and company policies while on company property as well as while operating a company vehicle off property.
  
• Operates manual, electric, and gas-powered hand tools.
  
• Timely and regular attendance.
  
• Other duties as assigned.
  

Requirements

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following functional and interpersonal competencies:

Functional

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos in English. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money, weight measurement, volume, and distance.

Familiarity with and ability to follow mechanical, electrical, OSHA, EPA, and PSM codes and requirements.

CIRO certification required . CRES preferred but not required .

The Head of Refrigeration position requires driven machinery certifications such as a forklift and telehandler which in turn requires a valid driver’s license.

Inte rpersonal

Education and Experience

High school diploma or GED equivalent. Minimum of 5 years of documented experience in industrial ammonia refrigeration maintenance, refrigeration theory and operation, and electronic controls and sensing techniques common to refrigeration. Extensive knowledge and familiarity with components including reciprocating and screw compressors, pumps, motors, valves, evaporators, heat exchangers, an troubleshooting/repair on both low temp and RSW systems. Knowledge of relative safety standards and willingness to use protective clothing/equipment.

Work Environment and Schedule

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and moving mechanical parts. The employee occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is loud.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to sit; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.The employee must pass a respirator physical fitness test within a month of start date. All refrigeration personal must be willing and able to don a full-face respirator.

Mental Activities

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will frequently use interpersonal and customer service skills. The employee is regularly required to understand English and utilize teamwork skills. The employee is frequently required to speak English, and use decision making skills. The employee is occasionally required to use mentoring skills, problem analysis, training and supervision skills. The employee will be occasionally required to read and write English, perform basic math, exercise independent judgment, and use discretion. Employee must be able to withstand moderate to high levels of stress.

Silver Bay Seafoods is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status such as race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or age.