Maintenance Helper

Aerotek; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) plan

Life insurance

AD&D

Disability insurance

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Job summary

Aerotek is seeking a Chemical Packaging Operator and Maintenance Support for a contract-to-hire role in Richmond, VA. The position combines hands-on packaging, material handling, and light maintenance duties in a small chemical processing environment.

You will operate sit‑down forklifts, handle bags, totes, and drums, and assist with batching and mixing using large mixer equipment. A strict safety mindset and ability to work in dirty conditions are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience operating forklifts (sit-down) in production/warehouse.
• Hands-on material handling to support production activities.
• Basic machine operating tasks on mixers and related equipment.
• Mechanical aptitude for troubleshooting and minor repairs.
• Comfort in a dirty, physically demanding environment with safety focus.
• Ability to follow detailed batch mixing and packaging procedures.

Responsibilities

• Operate equipment and semiautomatic processes for chemical packaging.
• Manage own material handling tasks to support production.
• Handle chemical bags, totes and drums safely, loading and staging materials.
• Use sit-down forklifts to move materials on the production floor.
• Assist maintenance with basic tasks and minor repairs.
• Support compounding, blending, and batching operations with large mixer equipment.
• Conduct inventory activities using RF scanners and verify material flow.
• Monitor processes for accuracy and proper batching according to procedures.

Skills

Forklift operation (sit-down)

Material handling

Machine operation (mixers)

Mechanical troubleshooting

Safety compliance

Detail-oriented procedures

Maintenance support

Tools

RF scanners

Job description

Job Title: Chemical Packaging Operator and Maintenance Support

Job Description

This role supports a small chemical packaging operation by operating equipment and semiautomatic processes, handling materials and inventory, and assisting with basic maintenance and repairs across the facility. The position combines production and material handling responsibilities with hands‑on support for the maintenance team to keep equipment and the site running safely and efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Operate equipment and semiautomatic processes used to package chemical substances for industrial and consumer products.
• Work as an operator in a small chemical packaging site, managing own material handling tasks to support production activities.
• Handle chemical bags, totes, and drums safely, including loading, moving, and staging materials for processing and packaging.
• Use forklifts, particularly sit‑down forklifts, to move materials on the production floor and between storage areas as needed.
• Support the maintenance manager with basic maintenance tasks, including minor troubleshooting of equipment and mechanical systems.
• Perform minor repairs and facility support work in both office and manufacturing floor areas, following safety and quality guidelines.
• Assist with compounding, blending, mixing, batching, and batch making operations using large mixer‑style equipment and related machinery.
• Conduct material handling and inventory activities, including receiving, storing, and tracking materials with tools such as RF scanners.
• Monitor production processes for accuracy, ensuring correct batching, mixing, and packaging according to established procedures.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area within an inherently dirty and physically demanding environment, adhering to safety practices.
• Follow all site safety protocols when working with chemicals, equipment, forklifts, and mechanical tools.
• Collaborate with production and maintenance teams to meet daily operational goals and support smooth workflow across the facility.

Essential Skills

• Experience operating forklifts, specifically sit‑down forklifts, in a production or warehouse environment.
• Hands‑on material handling experience, including loading, moving, and staging materials for manufacturing processes.
• Ability to perform basic machine operating tasks on mixers and other mechanical equipment used in compounding and blending.
• Mechanical aptitude with the ability to assist in troubleshooting equipment and performing minor repairs.
• Comfort working in an inherently dirty and physically demanding job, including frequent standing, lifting, and moving materials.
• Ability to work accurately and follow detailed procedures for mixing, batching, and packaging chemical products.
• Willingness to work primarily in support of the maintenance team while also contributing on the production floor.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with compounding, blending, mixing, batching, or batch making in a manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with RF scanners or similar inventory tracking tools for managing materials and stock.
• Previous experience in a chemical processing plant or small‑scale chemical packaging operation.
• Comfort working with large mixer‑type equipment and other mechanical production tools.
• Ability to adapt between production, material handling, and maintenance support tasks as operational needs require.

Why Work Here?

The work environment offers a low‑stress culture where accuracy and reliability are valued over high‑pressure demands. Team members benefit from a straightforward, hands‑on role in a well‑established organization that is highly regarded in its field. Uniforms are provided, supporting a practical and safety‑conscious workplace. The setting encourages long‑term growth for individuals who appreciate clear expectations, stable routines, and collaborative teamwork.

Work Environment

The role is based in a small chemical processing and packaging plant with a separate warehouse located about a mile away for storage. Work is performed on a first shift schedule from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The job is physically demanding and inherently dirty, with exposure to a hot environment during the summer and daily contact with dust, chemicals, and industrial equipment. Uniforms are provided as standard attire. Employees work around large mixer‑style equipment, mechanical tools, chemical bags, totes, and drums, and may use sit‑down forklifts and RF scanners as part of their duties. The environment emphasizes safe handling of chemicals and machinery while maintaining an accurate and efficient production process.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Richmond, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $22.50 - $22.50/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long‑term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 20, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Richmond,VA.

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.