This post provides detailed information on the equipment maintenance technician job description, including key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.
It also highlights the major requirements you may be expected to fulfill to be hired for the equipment maintenance technician role by most recruiters/employers.
What Does an Equipment Maintenance Technician Do?
The equipment maintenance technician is responsible for the maintenance and repair of a wide variety of equipment, including warehouse equipment, manufacturing equipment, school equipment, shop, and plant equipment, depending on the sector they work.
They work in warehouse, factory, manufacturing plants, food manufacturing companies, automobile industry, etc.
The equipment maintenance technician job description entails staying abreast of current company policies as they relate to safety, environmental issues, etc. to promote safety in the work place and applying teamwork approach to all work tasks.
They ensure that standard work habits are incorporated towards all job tasks.
Equipment maintenance technicians’ role involves contributing to the overall preventative maintenance program within the framework of the sector they work as directed.
They are responsible for completing speedy and effective maintenance during plant downtimes.
They respond to work orders for a wide variety of in-store equipment which include, but may not be limited to HVAC, depending on the industry in which they work.
The technicians also respond to work orders related to plumbing or electrical issues, and complete accurate work order reporting within required timelines.
Their tasks also include replacing small ‘plug and play’ equipment as required, and performing major component replacement (i.e. Compressors, Coils), as applicable.
They are expected to meet response time parameters for repair types, including ensuring that high priority work is completed first.
Maintenance technicians ensure that assigned vehicles are appropriately stocked with parts and tools as needed to perform repairs or maintenance tasks.
They may also be responsible for the maintenance of company vehicles as well as carrying out general building maintenance duties.
The work description of an equipment maintenance technician also involves performing both scheduled and unscheduled equipment maintenance and solving a broad range of maintenance problems of varying scope and complexity for all equipment in their field of work.
They provide technical resource for equipment maintenance improvement projects and handle all building-equipment emergencies as applicable.
They communicate with outside repair contractors and track all repairs, as well as interact with housekeeping contractors and report deficiencies to management.
They create a preventative maintenance plan and complete inspections in line with plant manager/ supervisor plan.
Equipment maintenance technicians actively participate in safety and compliance meetings, offering input into improvements required and routinely monitoring the building to ensure compliance to safety regulations.
To work as an equipment maintenance technician requires an Associate Degree or a minimum of high School Diploma/GED and a combination of technical/ mechanical experience and training.
They also require strong language skills to read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures, blueprints, and related electrical/mechanical documents.
They must demonstrate the knowledge and ability to employ safe work practices. They also require flexibility to quickly adjust to changes and must be willing to work overtime and on holidays as needed.
Maintenance technicians must be able to work independently as well as in a team, and be self-motivated.
Equipment Maintenance Technician Job Description Example/Sample/Template
The equipment maintenance technician performs various functions and provides expertise in the repair, maintenance, installation, and enhancement of machinery and equipment.
The job description example shown below gives the major tasks, obligations, duties, and responsibilities typically assigned to equipment maintenance technicians in most companies:
- Repairs, installs, and adjusts chemical vapor deposition process equipment and other vacuum deposition equipment in the company
- Troubleshoots to diagnose problems; repairs and performs routine preventative maintenance on equipment
- Modifies and tests equipment to improve systems uptime and reliability
- Assists in maintaining a clean work environment
- Maintains and updates all process documentation
- Supervises equipment modifications for process changes, new models, and expansions needs
- Responsible for monitoring of facilities that support process equipment, such as process gases
- Updates and reviews daily maintenance logs
- Follows all safety policies and procedures strictly
- Undertakes actions such as lubrication, cleaning, filter changes, etc. on equipment for preventive maintenance purposes
- Undertakes precision alignments and significant other tests associated with installation, qualification and/or calibration of equipment and machinery
- Performs accurate documentation of results of alignments and calibrations
- Troubleshoots and repairs various mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic equipment and systems involving the isolation of the malfunction parts, disassembly of equipment and repair/replacement of faulty components
- Operates various hand and power tools and machines to discharge duties
- Carries out design, development, and implementation of preventative maintenance programs on machinery and mechanical systems
- Applies computer programs to track and update jobs and service requests
- Uses equipment manuals, technical documents, internal and vendor resources to aid in troubleshooting and repairing of tools and equipment
- Looks into service requests for repairs and maintenance to determine nature of problem and recommend appropriate solutions
- Undertakes the sourcing and ordering of required parts, supplies, and services
- Safely operates forklifts, man-lifts, and equipment, adhering to safety standards
- Ensures that equipment are in a safe and working condition and utilize the Lock-Out Tag-Out program
- Ensures prompt and regular attendance following a schedule
- Performs limited carpentry and painting works when necessary
- Ensures the application of Quality Policies and Procedures in all aspects of daily duties and responsibilities.
Equipment Maintenance Technician Requirements – skills, knowledge and abilities for Career Success
Shown below are important qualities and qualifications, including skills, abilities, knowledge, and experience an equipment maintenance technician needs to be effective in performing the objective, obligations, and purpose of the role, as well as to succeed in their career.
They are also what mostly constitute the list of requirements for the role of equipment maintenance technician from employers hiring for the position.
- Education: Associate’s degree (electrical, mechanical, or technology related degree), or equivalent from two-year College or technical school, skilled trades certificate; or High School Diploma/GED and 2-3 years technical maintenance or related experience/training; or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training
- License/Certifications: It may be required to obtain a license to practice depending on the state. The requirement for certifications depends on the organization. HVACR: certifications in proper refrigerant practices (Freon license) and 410A Safety Certification Card may be required. Other licenses/certification includes (OSHA, HAZMAT, mechanical etc.)
- Communication skills: They require oral and written communication skills to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. It is also required for writing routine reports and correspondence
- Presentation skills: This is necessary to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to other employees of the organization
- Excellent reasoning skills: Ability to solve practical problems and handle a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
- Interpersonal skills: This is required to clearly communicate with other employees and build relationships with employees, supervisors/managers, customers, as well as outside contractors
- Physical requirements: The equipment maintenance technician job requires extended periods of standing, bending, kneeling, pushing/pulling, reaching, etc. and to occasionally lift more than 50 lbs, as needed
- Knowledge: Maintenance technicians must possess basic knowledge of electricity and electrical components; basic computer knowledge, ability to read blueprints and schematics, demonstrate the knowledge and ability to employ safe work practices. Working knowledge of sensors, switches, lasers, dispensers, robotics, and conveyance systems may also be required
Conclusion
Employers or recruiters hiring for the role of the equipment maintenance technician need to publish a detailed description of the vacant position for interested persons to be well informed of what the job entails.
They can create a detailed and effective description of the position by applying the sample job description and information about the duties and responsibilities of an equipment maintenance technician presented in this post.
Also, individuals looking to become an equipment maintenance technician will find this article helpful in learning about what the job entails and what is required to be successful in it, which can help them to make the right decisions about their careers.