Maintenance Intern

New-Cooperative,-Inc.; Fort Dodge (IA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing assistance

Company vehicle access

Laptop/computer provided

Reasonable time-off

Job summary

NEW Cooperative offers a Maintenance Intern program designed to provide hands-on experience across maintenance operations, welding, fabrication, and equipment repair. You will work closely with experienced technicians on real projects, gaining skills while upholding safety standards.

Interns learn through mentoring, onboarding, and maintenance training, with opportunities to assist at multiple locations. A paid hourly internship with overtime and benefits is available for motivated students

Qualifications

• Must be pursuing a 2- or 4-year degree in industrial technology, agriculture, welding, manufacturing, maintenance, engineering, or related field.
• Willingness to learn and contribute to safety practices.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Assist with equipment maintenance and repair, including inspection, servicing, and lubrication.
• Support welding and fabrication tasks as needed.
• Assist with mechanical assembly, installation, and alignment.
• Support machine setup, relocation, and ongoing maintenance projects.
• Operate hand and power tools safely as directed.
• Assist with equipment movement using forklifts or similar equipment where authorized.
• Keep maintenance records of performed work and preventative activities.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe work areas and facilities.
• Learn and apply safe maintenance practices and preventative strategies.

Skills

Hands-on problem solving

Strong communication

Safety awareness

Education

Pursuing 2- or 4-year degree in industrial tech / agriculture / welding / maintenance / engineering

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

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!

Ready to Join Us?

If you're looking for a rewarding career with a company that values its employees and the communities it serves, we'd love to hear from you.

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.