Maintenance Intern

NEW Cooperative Inc.; Fort Dodge (IA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing assistance

Access to company vehicle

Laptop/computer

Reasonable time-off

Job summary

NEW Cooperative seeks Maintenance Interns to support equipment repairs, preventive maintenance, welding, and facility upkeep while gaining hands-on industry experience. You will work with experienced maintenance professionals across our 60+ locations in Iowa, learning safe practices, maintenance planning, and routine servicing while contributing to projects and learning in a collaborative team environment.

Applicants must be pursuing a 2‑year or 4‑year degree in industrial technology,

Qualifications

• Pursuing a 2- or 4-year degree in relevant technology or engineering fields.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
• Valid driver's license.
• Willing to learn and work safely in a team.

Responsibilities

• Assist with equipment maintenance and repair, including inspection, servicing, and lubrication.
• Welding and fabrication experiences supporting projects.
• Mechanical assembly, installation, and alignment of machinery.
• Assist with equipment setup, relocation, and maintenance projects.
• Operate hand and power tools and support maintenance activities.
• Help move machinery with telehandlers, forklifts, or other equipment as needed.
• Document completed work and preventative maintenance records.
• Maintain clean, safe, and well-organized work areas and facilities.
• Learn safe maintenance practices and preventative maintenance importance.

Skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Time-management

Driver's license

Education

Pursuing a 2‑year or 4‑year degree in industrial technology/agriculture/welding/manufacturing/maintenance/engineering

Tools

Welding equipment

Job description

At NEW Cooperative, we're committed to supporting agriculture, strengthening our communities, and investing in our people. As a farmer-owned cooperative, we provide meaningful career opportunities across operations, agronomy, grain, feed, energy, transportation, administration, technology, and corporate services.

Whether you're just beginning your career or bringing years of experience, you'll find a team that values safety, integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a difference every day.

Explore the position below to see how you can become part of the NEW Cooperative team.

Are you our next Maintenance Intern?

NEW Cooperative Maintenance Interns will support maintenance operations by assisting with equipment repairs, preventative maintenance, welding, machinery installation, and facility upkeep while gaining hands‑on industry experience and maintaining a strong commitment to safety.

Do you enjoy working with your hands, solving mechanical problems, and learning how equipment and facilities operate? Are you interested in welding, fabrication, machinery repair, and maintenance operations? Do you want to gain real-world experience alongside industry professionals in a safe, team‑oriented environment?

If so, we want to talk to you.

NEW Cooperative is a leading agricultural cooperative providing innovative solutions and services to our customers across North, Central, and Western Iowa. We're seeking motivated individuals to join our team asMaintenance Interns. You will work alongside experienced maintenance professionals and gain valuable hands‑on experience supporting the maintenance and repair of equipment, facilities, and machinery at one or more of our 60+ locations. As a Maintenance Intern, you will have the opportunity to assist with a variety of projects and responsibilities, which may include:

• Equipment maintenance and repair,including inspecting, repairing, servicing, and lubricating machinery and equipment.
• Welding and fabrication experiences,including operating cutting torches, welding equipment, and assisting with fabrication projects.
• Mechanical assembly and installation,including bolting, welding, riveting, and fastening machinery to foundations and structures.
• Machine alignment and dismantling,assisting with equipment setup, relocation, and maintenance projects.
• Use of hand and power tools,including grinders, saws, drills, and other maintenance equipment.
• Equipment operation,including assisting with the movement of machinery and materials using telehandlers, forklifts, skid loaders, and other equipment as authorized.
• Maintenance recordkeeping,including documenting completed work and preventative maintenance activities.
• Facility upkeep and organization,ensuring work areas, equipment, and vehicles remain clean, safe, and well maintained.
• Learning safe maintenance practicesand understanding the importance of preventative maintenance in a successful cooperative operation.

NEW Cooperative is committed to providing the valuable learning experience that takes place in a successful internship. As part of your internship, you will be assigned a project to plan and complete that may include researching maintenance best practices, evaluating equipment performance, improving processes, or assisting with facility improvement initiatives.This is your opportunity to learn hands‑on!The topic of the project will be determined based on your interests and available opportunities within the company. Other opportunities and experiences may include:

• Actively involved mentor
• Comprehensive company onboarding and safety training
• Maintenance‑specific trainingfocused on equipment, welding, fabrication, and preventative maintenance
• Hands‑on experiencewith machinery, tools, and maintenance operations
• Job shadowswith Maintenance Technicians, Location Managers, and Operations Leaders
• Networking with company and industry leaders
• Exposure to cooperative operationsincluding agronomy, grain, feed, energy, and transportation
• Industry tours, field trips, and outingswith fellow NEW interns
• Additional learning opportunitiesas the season, time, and your interests allow

Safety is a core value at NEW Cooperative. Maintenance Interns are expected to follow all company safety standards, procedures, and policies. Interns must use all tools, equipment, vehicles, and machinery safely, carefully, and only for their intended purposes. It is vitally important that you are team‑oriented, hard‑working, and possess strong communication, problem‑solving, and time‑management skills. Applicants must have a valid driver's license and should be working toward a 2‑year or 4‑year degree in industrial technology, agriculture, welding, manufacturing, maintenance, engineering, or a related field.You do not need prior maintenance experience, but you must have a strong willingness to learn and a commitment to working safely throughout the internship!Maintenance Interns can anticipate a competitive hourly wage with paid overtime opportunities.This position also offers competitive benefits, including:

• Not from the area?Ask about our housing assistance options!
• Access to company vehicle,as needed
• Laptop/computer,as needed
• Reasonable time‑off requests accommodated

This is your opportunity to join the NEW Cooperative team, gain valuable hands‑on maintenance experience, and maximize your learning opportunities!

NEW Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.