Maintenance Technician - Verdant Specialty Solutions, Inc.

About Verdant Specialty Solutions

Verdant Specialty Solutions is a global specialty chemical company. Its customers include world-leading personal care and home care brands, energy solutions providers, and industrial companies. Verdant’s vision is to be the go-to provider of batch specialty surfactant-based chemistry for applications in the consumer and industrial markets. Based in Houston, the company has nine locations in the US and Europe. Verdant’s international team of 285 employees are committed to safety, quality, and supply reliability.

Why Join Verdant?

Our business has endless opportunities for growth! Verdant is a fast-growing company with the spirit and creativity of a small business.  The company was formed in May 2021, so every employee plays an important role in culture and performance. It offers a dynamic ‘start up’ atmosphere with opportunities for professional growth and development. You can immediately make an impact in our business!

Commitment to Safety

Despite having the spirit of a small business, Verdant rivals against larger companies in its commitment to safety with industry leading environmental, quality, and health standards.  Safety is absolutely our number one priority for all employees.

Position Summary: This position is a multi-skill position with emphasis areas. The focus of this job description is Instrumentation and Electrical (I&E). The successful candidate will be required to work, independently and in partnership with other staff members, on general mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and utility operation tasks. An on-the-job and off-site training program will be available to support these required activities.

Emphasis areas include Electrical, Millwright, Instrumentation, Pipefitter/ Welder and Utilities

Responsibilities:

• Test fabricated and installed equipment to ensure adequacy of repair and safe operation upon commissioning
• Advise management on whether continued operation of equipment could be hazardous
• Use a variety of tools and equipment such as power bender, measuring devices, power tools, and testing equipment
• Lift and rig equipment and piping
• Work from ladders, scaffolds, and roofs to install, maintain, or repair equipment, and fixtures
• Operate forklift to transport work or maneuver equipment as necessary
• Operate a man lift, scissor lift, or ladder to safely position yourself at a height to complete a task
• Attend daily meetings to receive and discuss work orders that include dismantling, repair, or changing pipes, valves, process equipment, structures, etc.
• Coordinate repairs with production to ensure the work site has been prepared to avoid interfering with the activities of other workers
• Verify proper life critical documentation is prepared prior to the start of work
• Inspect the work site to determine the best possible placement and routing of equipment and pipelines to allow long-term maintainability
• Analyze problems to determine materials needed to complete tasks and transport materials to the job site
• Remove product from dismantled equipment by washing surfaces prior to transport
• Perform housekeeping within areas of responsibility, both in the field and in the shop
• Utilize personal protective equipment (PPE) according to specific job task
• Perform painting in the production areas, and in the office areas as directed
• Operate company vehicles safely both within the plant perimeter and on the road
• Assist in maintaining correct MRO inventory control by signing out material used in jobs
• Perform demolition work on pipe and equipment that has been taken out of service
• Perform other duties or projects as specified by the supervisor
• Support / adhere to all quality system requirements, including ISO 9001, European Federation for Cosmetic Ingredients (EFfCI), Good Manufacturing Practices, and Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), consistent with Manufacturing Excellence and HSSE Management Systems as it relates to this position.

HSE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Fully participate in plant health, safety, and environmental (HS&E) initiatives
• Complete live and computer-based training to comply with HS&E requirements and policies
• Attend required daily and monthly safety meetings
• Attend required monthly departmental meetings
• Completely understand and follow plant life-critical procedures
• Utilize appropriate PPE based on the job task
• Maintain a high standard of housekeeping
• Inspect and test equipment prior to turnover to production
• Generator and handler of hazardous and universal waste—responsible for container labeling and marking and may collect samples to assist with characterization of waste

Electrical Emphasis:

• Assemble, install, test, and maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus, and fixtures, using hand tools and power tools
• Diagnose malfunctioning systems, apparatus, and components, using test equipment and hand tools, to locate the cause of a breakdown and correct the problem
• Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components
• Inspect electrical systems, equipment, and components to identify hazards, defects, and the need for adjustment or repair, and to ensure compliance with plant standards and applicable codes
• Test electrical systems and continuity of circuits in electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures, using testing devices such as a digital multi-meter to ensure compatibility and safety of system
• Design/plan layout and installation of electrical wiring, conduit, equipment and fixtures, based on job specifications and local codes
• Prepare sketches or follow blueprints to determine the location of wiring and equipment and to ensure conformance to plant standards, building and safety codes
• Install ground leads and connect power cables to equipment, such as motors
• Repair or replace wiring, equipment, and fixtures, using hand tools and power tools
• Place conduit (pipes or tubing) inside designated partitions, walls, or other concealed areas, and pull insulated wires or cables through the conduit to complete circuits between boxes
• Follow applicable specifications such that conduit and electrical components are installed to standard

Instrumentation Emphasis:

• Bench and field calibrate pressure, temperature, and flow sensors. Follow plant procedures for documentation of calibration activity and calibration devices
• Set up control valves, positioners, and I/P transducers. Bench/field test and troubleshoot these devices
• Configure devices using HART communicator or instrument panel buttons
• Read and understand instrument O&M manuals in order to work on devices with little or no previous experience
• Loop wiring troubleshooting for analog and discrete devices. Simulate analog signals, measure loop resistance, continuity, etc.
• Work with 110Vac and 24Vdc wiring. Employ practices to avoid signal interference
• Document instrumentation, wire labeling, instrument labeling, and calibration with extreme attention to detail
• Measure, cut, bend, and properly install stainless steel tubing for automatic valves

Utility Emphasis:

• Proficient in the operations, general maintenance, and capable or maintaining controls within prescribed limits for plant utility equipment, including but not limited to boilers/deaerators, air compressors, water softeners, Reverse Osmosis, cooling ponds, cooling towers, Chlorine Dioxide systems
• Monitor and maintain water treatment chemistry of boiler feed water system, boilers, cooling pond, cooling towers, and Chlorine dioxide system within desired control ranges. Proactively monitor the condition of associated equipment to maintain the highest level of operational availability (reliability)
• Perform work to free blockages within closed systems, such as cooling water piping and waste lines
• Perform periodic inspections, including but not limited to: eye wash & safety showers inspections, Alarms and other alarms, emergency exit light and sign testing, and other miscellaneous safety inspections
• Perform routine preventative maintenance tasks, including but not limited to: pump lubrication, routine fluid checks, heat transfer equipment de-scaling (i.e. Ryd-Lyming), filter replacement, etc.
• Perform basic mechanical work, including but not limited to: strainer/filter cleaning, fuse replacement/resetting breakers, belt replacement, replacement of valves/piping / gaskets “in kind” following applicable standards, hose and hose reel repairs, resetting circuit breakers, etc.
• Perform related general facility maintenance, including but not limited to: Snow removal, painting, air and water filter replacement, light bulb replacement, piping and equipment demolition, and other general work including housekeeping activities and HVAC maintenance
• Assist in the MRO storeroom by receiving goods, notifying requisitioner, staging materials, stocking shelves, and maintaining housekeeping
• Operate company vehicles safely while picking up supplies off-site
• Assist craftspeople (Verdant or contract) to successfully complete assigned tasks

Requirements

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
• 7+ years in construction or maintenance in an industrial setting
• 5+ years experience in an emphasis area
• Valid driver’s license
• Forklift operator certificate
• Elevated work platform operator certificate
• Successful completion of the University Park Maintenance Technician Competency list including any hands-on skill tests
• Must be able to calculate surfaces, volumes, weights, and measures
• Must be able to read and understand safety rules, company policies, and procedure manuals
• Must be able to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form
• Must be able to read and interpret a variety of diagrams, blueprints, and operational manuals of shop tools and equipment
• Must be able to solve practical problems using rational logic and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
• Must be able to perform basic math using an application of fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions with algebra and geometric constructions
• Must be able to document activities such as work completed or inspection observations on forms or work orders using legible handwriting and understandable verbiage
• Must understand and comply with all permit requirement scenarios and be able to perform all functions required for permitting including, but not limited to:

1. Clearing equipment
2. Preparing equipment for work
3. Performing lock out / tag out / check
4. Generating the permit including identification of proper personnel to review and sign
5. Initial line break

• Understand when to stop and ask for directions
• Understand when and how to report incidents/accidents
• Must be able to read/understand Piping and Instrumentation Drawings to identify flows and equipment
• Must be able to perform all tasks in a safe manner, leading to “world-class” results
• Must be able to read and understand equipment specification sheets
• Must be able to utilize the computer to process work orders and order supplies from the store room. Must be able to navigate the file server to find drawings, spec sheets, and other information related to the work requirements. Must be familiar with email, spreadsheets, and PDF file formats
• Specific requirements based on emphasis area

Benefits

• Competitive and comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits through Cigna.
• Generous matching 401k plan
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Savings Account with employer contribution and yearly roll over (cannot be combined with FSA)
• Health advocacy and services
• Company paid life insurance
• Company paid short term disability insurance
• Paid Vacation and Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Company discount programs available including discounts on gym membership and equipment, hotels, rental cars, etc.