Journey Mechanic

Port Townsend Paper Corporation; Port Townsend (WA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Union representation

Excellent benefits package

Overtime opportunities

Job summary

Port Townsend Paper Corporation in Port Townsend, WA, is hiring a Journey Mechanic to join our maintenance team. This full-time, union position offers a starting wage of $45.73 per hour with overtime opportunities and a strong benefits package.

The Journey Mechanic will install, maintain, repair, and troubleshoot industrial equipment across the mill. A high school diploma, 5 years of mechanical trade experience or 2 years journey-level experience, and apprenticeship or equivalent hands-on

Qualifications

• At least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 5 years of mechanical trade experience OR 2 years of journey-level experience.
• Completion of a mechanical apprenticeship program or equivalent hands-on trade experience.
• Experience working with industrial machinery and equipment.
• Ability to read blueprints, drawings, and schematics.
• Experience with mechanical maintenance, equipment alignment, bearings, pumps, conveyors, gearboxes, or similar equipment.
• Experience with welding, machining, rigging, or fabrication preferred.
• Ability to safely use hand tools, power tools, precision measuring equipment, and rigging equipment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a maintenance team.
• Must pass Ramsay Mechanical Diagnostic with min score 80%.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical capacities evaluation.
• Must pass pre-employment drug testing (safety-sensitive).
• Must pass pre-employment background check.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Install, maintain, repair, and troubleshoot industrial machinery and equipment.
• Read and interpret blueprints, equipment drawings, and schematics.
• Disassemble and reassemble machinery using hand and power tools.
• Install and maintain conveyors, shafting, pumps, gearboxes, bearings, and other mill equipment.
• Move and position machinery using hoists, jacks, rigging equipment, dollies, rollers, and other tools.
• Align machinery and equipment using precision measuring tools.
• Repair, replace, and lubricate mechanical components.
• Perform machining and fabrication, including engine lathe operation.
• Weld, cut, fit, rig, and perform other mechanical maintenance tasks.
• Troubleshoot equipment problems and identify issues like misalignment, bearing problems, vibration.
• Document work and equipment conditions in maintenance system.
• Collaborate with maintenance and operations to complete repairs.
• Work safely around mill hazards.

Skills

Mechanical trade experience

Read blueprints

Tools handling

Machining knowledge

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Mechanical apprenticeship program

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Precision measuring equipment

Job description

Job Details: Level: Experienced, Job Location: Port Townsend Paper Company - Port Townsend, WA 98368, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: High School, Salary Range: $45.73 - $50.73 Hourly, Port Townsend Paper Corporation is hiring a Journey Mechanic to join our maintenance team at our mill in Port Townsend, Washington.

This is a full-time, permanent union position represented by the United Steelworkers with a starting wage of $45.73 per hour, plus overtime opportunities and an excellent benefits package.

The Journey Mechanic is responsible for installing, maintaining, repairing, aligning, and troubleshooting industrial machinery and equipment throughout the mill. This is hands on mechanical work in a heavy industrial environment.

About Port Townsend Paper Corporation (PTPC)

The Port Townsend Paper (“PTPC”) mill is proud to have been in continuous operation for more than 90 years. We use a blend of virgin and recycled fibers (Kraft and OCC pulp) to produce Kraft pulp, paper, containerboard, medium and market pulp. We have built a strong and loyal customer base by developing and nurturing strategic partnership‑style relationships.

At PTPC we believe that a healthy and safe work environment is fundamental to the success of all employees. We put that belief into practice every day by managing risk and building safety reliability into our processes and procedures. Engaging and empowering our workforce to maintain world‑class safety performance is the pathway to achieving operational excellence. We also strive to preserve the environment, be good neighbors, and remain a valued member of the local community. Many of our employees have enjoyed working at PTPC for the greater part of their careers; we have employees with 20, 25, 30, even 35 years of service.

Job Responsibilities

• Install, maintain, repair, and troubleshoot industrial machinery and equipment.
• Read and interpret blueprints, equipment drawings, and schematics.
• Disassemble and reassemble machinery using hand and power tools.
• Install and maintain equipment such as conveyors, shafting, pumps, gearboxes, bearings, and other mill equipment.
• Move and position machinery using hoists, jacks, rigging equipment, dollies, rollers, and other tools.
• Align machinery and equipment using precision measuring tools.
• Repair, replace, and lubricate mechanical components.
• Perform machining and fabrication work as needed, including operating an engine lathe.
• Perform welding, cutting, fitting, rigging, and other mechanical maintenance work.
• Troubleshoot equipment problems and identify mechanical issues such as misalignment, bearing problems, vibration, and other equipment failures.
• Use the mill's maintenance management system to document work and equipment conditions.
• Work with other maintenance and operations employees to safely complete repairs and maintenance.
• Work safely around industrial equipment, chemicals, steam, dust, noise, and other mill hazards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• At least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least 5 years of mechanical trade experience OR 2 years of journey-level mechanical experience.
• Completion of a mechanical apprenticeship program or equivalent hands‑on trade experience.
• Experience working with industrial machinery and equipment.
• Ability to read blueprints, drawings, and schematics.
• Experience with mechanical maintenance, equipment alignment, bearings, pumps, conveyors, gearboxes, or similar industrial equipment.
• Experience with welding, machining, rigging, or fabrication is preferred.
• Ability to safely use hand tools, power tools, precision measuring equipment, and rigging equipment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a maintenance team.
• Must pass the Ramsay Mechanical Diagnostic with a minimum score of 80%.
• Must successfully complete a pre‑employment physical capacities evaluation.
• Must successfully pass pre‑employment and ongoing drug testing. This is a safety‑sensitive position.
• Must successfully complete a pre‑employment background check.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Physical Requirements

This position is physically demanding and requires the ability to:

• Lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Push and pull rolling carts with loads of several hundred pounds.
• Twist, turn, bend, kneel, climb, and work in awkward positions.
• Work at heights and in confined spaces.
• Work around moving machinery and other industrial equipment.

Compensation

Starting wage is $45.73 per hour

Additional wage opportunities include:

• $2.00/hour increase for Vibration Tech III/Lub Tech II
• $3.00/hour increase for Vibration Tech II/Lub Tech I

There are also frequent overtime opportunities.

Work Schedule

Employees may be assigned to one of the following schedules:

Monday–Friday: 8‑hour shifts, with overtime for hours worked over 8 per day or 40 per week.

Rotating 12‑hour schedule: 2 day shifts (5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.), 2 night shifts (5:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.), followed by 4 days off.

Overtime applies for hours worked over 10 per day, 40 hours per week, or any work performed outside the employee's regularly scheduled tour.

Work Environment

This is a heavy industrial work environment. Employees may be exposed to:

• Steam
• Dust and mist
• Noise
• Odors
• Hot and cold temperatures
• Moving machinery
• Sharp tools and equipment
• Heights
• Confined spaces

Depending on the assignment, working conditions may be hot and dusty or cold and damp.

Benefits

• United Steelworkers Union representation
• Medical, dental, life, and short‑term disability insurance
• 1 week of vacation after 6 months of employment, increasing to 2–5 weeks each January based on tenure
• 9 paid holidays
• 24 hours of personal holidays per calendar year
• $200 annual safety shoe allowance
• Retirement plan
• Employee Assistance Program with full services, including dietary and nutritional services, retirement planning, and support services

Port Townsend Paper Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and a drug‑free workplace.