Utilities Technician-Alma

Hormel Foods; Alma (KS); On-site; USD 39,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Vacation and holiday pay

Employee assistance program

Educational assistance

Job summary

Hormel Foods Alma plant is seeking a skilled Utility Technician to maintain and troubleshoot refrigeration, boiler, steam, and water systems. You will perform inspections, monitor trends, and support safety and energy efficiency initiatives on 1st shift (5 AM–5:30 PM) Sunday–Tuesday with rotating Wednesdays, aligned to production demand.

Qualified candidates have a two-year technical degree or equivalent industrial experience, at least 3 years in utilities, and relevant certifications.

Qualifications

• Two-year technical degree or equivalent industrial experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of industrial utilities experience.
• Required certifications such as RETA CIRO, Boiler Operator 1, or state equivalent.
• Ability to obtain required certifications within defined timeframes.
• Ability to work safely in high-risk utility environments while following PPE, safety, and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced troubleshooting of refrigeration, boiler, steam, compressed air, and water systems.
• Perform routine inspections, rounds, readings, and basic troubleshooting activities following established SOPs.
• Analyze system trends and apply precision measurement techniques to diagnose performance issues.
• Perform corrective actions for system alarms, excursions, and efficiency losses.
• Support continuous improvement efforts related to energy efficiency, reliability, and compliance.
• Coordinate cross-functional responses to utility outages, emergencies, and planned system shutdowns.
• Support maintenance job scoping activities by participating in field walk-downs and evaluating equipment condition.
• Provide input to aid accurate job planning with technical notes.
• Utilize condition monitoring tools to identify developing equipment issues and support proactive maintenance decisions.
• Perform precision maintenance tasks to ensure equipment reliability.
• Serve as a facility responder for hazardous material releases.

Skills

Utility systems troubleshooting

Emergency response

Safety compliance

Problem solving

Education

Two-year technical degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

AutoCAD

CMMS/EAMS

Outlook

Job description

Utility Technician – Alma Foods

To save time applying, Hormel Foods does not offer sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based visa.

About Hormel Foods

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue. Its brands include PLANTERS®, SKIPPY®, SPAM®, HORMEL® NATURAL CHOICE®, APPLEGATE®, WHOLLY®, HORMEL® BLACK LABEL®, COLUMBUS®, JENNIE-O® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The Company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report and one of America’s most responsible companies by Newsweek, was recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World’s Best Companies and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. For more information, visit hormelfoods.com .

The work schedule for this position is 1st shift 5AM-5:30PM Sunday-Tuesday and alternating Wednesday. Variable shifts will occasionally be required based on demand.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform advanced troubleshooting of refrigeration, boiler, steam, compressed air, and water systems.
• Perform routine inspections, rounds, readings, and basic troubleshooting activities following established SOPs.
• Analyze system trends and apply precision measurement techniques to diagnose performance issues.
• Perform corrective actions for system alarms, excursions, and efficiency losses.
• Support continuous improvement efforts related to energy efficiency, reliability, and compliance.
• Coordinate cross-functional responses to utility outages, emergencies, and planned system shutdowns.
• Support maintenance job scoping activities by participating in field walk‑downs, evaluating equipment condition, identifying required labor, materials, tooling, and safety controls, and providing technical input to aid accurate job planning.
• Utilize condition monitoring and diagnostic tools—including vibration analysis, ultrasonic testing, infrared/thermal imaging, oil analysis interpretation, and visual inspection—to identify developing equipment issues and support proactive maintenance decisions.
• Perform precision maintenance tasks such as alignment, balancing, torque verification, calibration, clearance measurement, and proper installation techniques to ensure equipment reliability and longevity.
• Serve as a facility responder for hazardous material releases, following established emergency response procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Use and maintain accurate SOPs, P&IDs, and regulatory documentation.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Two‑year technical degree or equivalent industrial experience with the ability to obtain required certifications within defined timeframes.
• Minimum of 3 years of industrial utilities experience.
• Required certifications such as RETA CIRO, Boiler Operator 1, or state equivalent.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot refrigeration, boiler, steam, compressed air, and water systems.
• Ability to work safely in high‑risk utility environments while following all PPE, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to participate in emergency response situations as trained. Ability to efficiently learn and use business and technical software tools—including Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, the company’s EAMS/CMMS, and Outlook to support maintenance planning, documentation, and analysis.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation, including lifting up to 50 pounds; twisting, bending, kneeling, and crawling on top of or under equipment; working in hot and cold environments; operating aerial lifts; using ladders; and working at heights.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.
• Must be 18 year of age or older.

Preferred

• Experience with industrial refrigeration systems such as liquid overfeed
• Training in water treatment systems and regulatory compliance.
• Experience supporting energy efficiency or utility reliability improvement initiatives.

Compensation and Benefits

• $28.25-$39.50 per hour paid weekly
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Life insurance; short-term and long-term disability.
• Vacation and holiday pay.
• Employee assistance and wellness programs.
• Educational assistance.

Hormel Foods provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability.

Hormel Foods Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.