Journey Mechanic/Vibration Tech II

PTPC; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; Full time

Job summary

PTPC is seeking a Journey Mechanic with extensive experience in machinery installation and maintenance at its Port Townsend location. The role requires high school education and a solid understanding of craft-level skills, with hands-on tasks including installing and repairing equipment in an industrial setting. The position offers competitive pay and a range of benefits, fostering a safe and positive work environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Comprehensive health care plan

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Opportunities for overtime

Qualifications

• 5 years in trade or 2 years at trade level.
• Experience with vibration monitoring tools.
• Up to 2 years postgraduate schooling in crafts.

Responsibilities

• Installs machinery using blueprints and plans.
• Repairs and lubricates machines and equipment.
• Operates engine lathe to grind and turn machine parts.

Skills

Equipment-specific knowledge

Welding skills

Vibration analysis

Condition monitoring

Education

High school graduate or equivalent (GED)

Completed apprenticeship program

Job description

Job Details

Level: Experienced

Job Location: Port Townsend Paper Company - Port Townsend, WA

Education Level: High School

Salary Range: $39.42 - $43.55 Hourly

Description

Job Title: Journey Mechanic

Reports to: Back-End Maintenance Supervisor

The Position

We currently have an opening for a Journey Mechanic based out of our location in Port Townsend, Washington.

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. PTPC is proud to provide good, prevailing wage jobs on the Olympic Peninsula.

Qualifications

Essential Functions

• Installs machinery and equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, and other drawings in industrial establishment, using hoists, lift trucks, hand tools, and power tools.
• Reads blueprints and schematic drawings to determine work procedures.
• Dismantles machines, using hammers, wrenches, crowbars, and other hand tools.
• Moves machinery and equipment, using hoists, dollies, rollers, and trucks.
• Assembles and installs equipment, such as shafting, conveyors, and tram rails, using hand tools and power tools.
• Constructs foundation for machines, using hand tools and building materials, such as wood, cement, and steel.
• Aligns machines and equipment, using hoists, jacks, hand tools, squares, rules, micrometers, and plumb bobs.
• Assembles machines, and bolts, welds, rivets, or otherwise fastens them to the foundation or other structures, using hand tools and power tools.
• Operates engine lathe to grind, file, and turn machine parts to dimensional specifications.
• Repairs and lubricates machines and equipment. Installs robot and modifies its program, using teach pendant.
• Performs installation and maintenance work as part of a team of skilled trades workers.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Craft level skills, equipment-specific knowledge, and proper handling procedures for chemical common to pulp & paper process.
• A basic level of skills in processes that may be outside of the primary craft’s core competency including welding, cutting, machining, metalworking, computer operation, fitting, rigging, and other skills common to maintenance activities.
• Ability to work and communicate within a small work team.
• Perform vibration data collection, analysis, and interpretation on rotating equipment (e.g., motors, pumps, turbines, compressors, gearboxes).
• Conduct condition monitoring using vibration analysis, thermography, ultrasound, and other predictive maintenance tools
• Identify equipment faults such as unbalance, misalignment, bearing failures, and resonance issues
• Generate detailed reports on findings, trends, and recommended corrective actions
• Assist in root cause analysis (RCA) and failure investigations.
• Collaborate with maintenance, engineering, and operations teams to improve machinery performance.
• Utilize Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) to track and report asset conditions.

Preferred Experience

• 5 years in trade or 2 years at trade level.
• Experience with vibration monitoring tools (e.g., CSI, SKF, Emerson, Pruftechnik)
• Knowledge of reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) and predictive maintenance strategies.
• Vibration Cat 2 or 3
• Lubrication Tech MTL I or II

Required Education

• High school graduate or equivalent to (GED).
• Up to 2 years post graduate schooling in some crafts.
• Completed apprenticeship program in craft line or equivalent experience.

Physical Requirements

• Lift and carry 40 pounds.
• Push and pull rolling carts with several hundred-pound loads.
• Twisting and turning while executing the job.
• Working in awkward positions.

Benefits

• Competitive salary starting at $39.42 to $43.55 per hour
• Afternoon and graveyard shift differentials.
• A comprehensive health care plan including prescription, vision care, life insurance, and dental plan.
• Retirement plan.
• Employee Assistance coverage with full services, including dietary and nutritional services, retirement planning, and support services.
• Paid time off.
• Opportunity for overtime.
• This is a union position.

Port Townsend Paper Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. We are a drug free workplace.