Mechanic Apprentice

Gerdau Ameristeel Corp.; Petersburg (VA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Comprehensive Medical Plans

401K Matching

Job summary

Gerdau Ameristeel Corp. offers a hands‑on maintenance trainee role designed to balance work and education. You will be mentored as you rotate through departments, gaining practical experience while starting at $27.88 per hour.

The schedule runs 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM, Monday through Friday, with at least a 36‑hour work week to accommodate classes. The program includes comprehensive benefits such as medical, dental, vision, 401K matching up to 6%, tuition reimbursement, and ongoing training.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in verifiable maintenance training program.
• 1-2 years of experience in an industrial maintenance environment.
• Understanding of shop mathematics with drawings, specifications, charts, tables, and precision measuring instruments.
• Familiarity with basic maintenance disciplines: AC/DC motors, gearbox mechanics, lubrication, welding, cutting torch, NFPA 70E, and hand tools.

Responsibilities

• Perform basic maintenance tasks using a variety of hand tools.
• Dismantle, repair, lubricate, reassemble, and work on hydraulics, pneumatics, pipe fitting, assembling, and installation.
• Perform basic electrical maintenance on noncomplex circuits and routine preventive maintenance.
• Build, adjust, clean, lubricate equipment and replace components as needed.
• Support other maintenance crafts like welding, fabricating, machining as required.
• Demonstrate aptitude in at least one craft such as electrician, millwright, fabricator, welder, or vehicle mechanic.
• Operate equipment to detect and verify malfunction corrections.

Skills

Aptitude in basic crafts

Safety-minded

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

AC/DC motors

Gearbox mechanics

Lubrication principles

Welding

Cutting torch

NFPA 70E

Common maintenance hand tools

Job description

Earn while you continue your education and get hands‑on experience. Our skilled and experienced employees will mentor you as you rotate through our different departments gaining valuable experience. Starting pay is $27.88. You will work 6 am to 2:30 pm, Monday – Friday with a minimum of a 36-hour work week to give you time for your classes and studies.

We Have:

• A strong global presence with mini‑mills that transform millions of metric tons of raw material to produce steel beams, flat‑rolled steel, merchant bar, rebar, spikes, and wire used by the automotive industry, appliance, construction, machinery, and equipment industries.
• A culture that welcomesdiversity, encourages innovation, and creates products that serve humanity.
• An environment that values teamwork, safety, and sustainability.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and the belief that we can create a better future for our employees and our global community by investing in people, processes, and technology.

We Offer:

• Comprehensive Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision Plans – Eligible upon 1st day of hire
• Health & Dependent Care (Flexible Spending Account)
• 100% Matching 401K up to 6%
• Life/Accidental Life Insurance
• Health Advocate Services
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Career Path System and Training

Qualifications Required:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Enrolled in a verifiable maintenance technical training program.
• Understanding of shop mathematics with the use of drawings, specifications, charts, tables, and precision measuring instruments.
• Basic understanding of some or all the following maintenance disciplines: AC/DC motors, gearbox mechanics, lubrication principles, welding, cutting torch, NFPA 70E, and common maintenance hand tools preferred.
• 1-2 years of experience working in an industrial environment in a position containing a routine maintenance component.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Complete a variety of duties pertaining primarily to basic techniques of maintenance functions using a variety of hand tools.
• Take care to properly dismantle, repair, lubricate, reassemble, or otherwise work in general maintenance on hydraulics, pneumatics, pipe fitting, assembling, and installation.
• Perform basic electrical maintenance repair on noncomplex circuitry.
• Adjust, clean, or lubricate equipment as preventive maintenance.
• Tear down, replace, repair, assemble, and install standard, non-complex equipment, parts, components, and accessories.
• Perform work in other maintenance crafts as necessary, such as burning, welding, fabricating, machining, and other duties, and work assignments as required and directed.
• Must display aptitude in at least one of the basic crafts of electrician, millwright, fabricator, welder, or vehicle mechanic.
• Start, observe, operate, or otherwise activate equipment to detect or verify correction of malfunction.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Operate mobile equipment to lift and transport materials, including loaders, cranes, man‑lifts, brick‑lift, and forklifts.
• Ensure daily preventative maintenance is performed on vehicles and mobile equipment, which may include fueling, cleaning, and checking/adding fluids as needed.
• Follow all PPE requirements and safety rules and guidelines for all tasks being performed.
• Assist in training of coworkers as needed.
• Maintain communication with coworkers through two‑way radio and hand signals.
• Demonstrate ability and willingness to work as part of a self‑directed team with limited supervision.
• Maintain work area and equipment in a clean and orderly condition.
• Exhibit engagement in Gerdau Business System tools and methodology.
• Use basic computer skills.

Physical Requirements:

• After graduating with a degree, you must be able to work a 12‑hour rotating shift schedule, including days, nights, and two consecutive weekend a month.
• Ability to climb stairs, climb ladders, reach, squat, tolerate prolonged standing or walking, balance, bend, operate mobile equipment, crawl, kneel, and push and pull objects.
• Ability to work in extreme ambient temperatures up to 160°F.
• Ability to work in cramped quarters and at heights up to 180 feet.