Facilities Technician

Title: Utilities Technician 

Location: Waco, TX

Workstyle: Onsite

Mars does not sponsor visas for this role. This position is not eligible for relocation benefits

Responsible for the safe, reliable operation and maintenance support of site utility and auxiliary systems including NH₃ refrigeration systems, 150 PSI natural gas boilers/steam system, refrigeration compressors, air compressors, air handling units (AHUs), fire protection systems, security systems, and other manufacturing site auxiliary utilities. Executes disciplined rounds/logs, responds to alarms and upsets, troubleshoots equipment issues, coordinates contractor work, and supports regulatory/compliance requirements to sustain production uptime and safe operations. 

What will be your responsibilities?

Safety & Compliance (Operations-Focused) 

• Operate all assigned utility systems in accordance with site safety rules and procedures including LOTO, confined space, hot work, line-breaking, PPE, and chemical handling. 

• Support compliance programs applicable to utility operations (e.g., mechanical integrity, inspection/testing documentation, permits, audits), including participation in incident investigations and corrective actions. 

• Follow site emergency response procedures and escalate abnormal conditions immediately (including refrigeration alarms or suspected NH₃ leaks). 

NH₃ Refrigeration & Refrigeration Compressors 

• Monitor and operate NH₃ refrigeration equipment (compressors, vessels, condensers/evaporators, pumps, valves, and controls). 

• Perform routine system checks/rounds, trend key operating parameters, and identify early signs of failure (oil issues, vibration, valve/actuator issues, control deviations, abnormal pressures/temps). 

• Support planned shutdown/startup activities and coordinate repairs with Maintenance and approved contractors. 

Boiler / Steam System (150 PSI Natural Gas) 

• Operate and monitor boilers and steam distribution/condensate return systems to meet plant demand safely and efficiently. 

• Perform or support boiler water checks, blowdown activities, and water treatment program tasks per site standards. 

• Troubleshoot steam pressure/quality issues and coordinate corrective work on burners, feedwater, controls, traps, and related components. 

Compressed Air & Plant Pneumatics 

• Operate and monitor air compressors, dryers, filters, receivers, and distribution systems to maintain required pressure and air quality. 

• Identify and respond to air system issues affecting production (pressure drop, excessive moisture, unusual compressor cycling, leaks). 

HVAC / AHUs / Building Utility Systems 

• Monitor AHUs, make-up air systems, ventilation, exhaust, and other building support utilities impacting environment and process reliability. 

• Perform basic troubleshooting and coordinate repairs related to motors, belts, bearings, dampers, sensors, and controls. 

Fire Protection & Security Systems Support 

• Conduct routine checks and coordinate service/impairments for fire protection systems (fire pumps, valves, panels, inspections/testing support). 

• Support operational continuity for site security systems (access control, alarms, cameras) by coordinating with vendors/IT/site security as required. 

• Maintain documentation for inspections, impairments, and corrective actions. 

Preventive Maintenance, Work Management, and Contractor Coordination 

• Execute assigned PMs, operator care tasks, and basic corrective repairs; generate work orders for follow-up maintenance. 

• Coordinate contractor activity in utility areas (permits, safety requirements, scope clarity, verification of completion). 

• Maintain accurate shift logs, readings, and handoff notes; document work in CMMS. 

Reliability & Continuous Improvement 

• Track/communicate leading indicators (abnormal readings, repeat alarms, vibration/noise changes, leaks, degraded performance). 

• Participate in root cause analysis and improvement actions to reduce downtime, energy waste, and recurring failures. 

DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY 

• Take immediate actions to stabilize utilities and protect personnel, product, and equipment during upsets. 

• Escalate conditions requiring shutdown, isolation, or emergency response per site procedures. 

• Recommend repairs, operating changes, PM improvements, and spare parts based on observed conditions and trends. 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

Effectiveness Competencies 

• Safety-first mindset and operational discipline 

• Troubleshooting / problem solving 

• Clear communication and shift handoff quality 

• Planning & prioritization during outages/upsets 

• Team collaboration with Ops, Maintenance, and Contractors 

Functional Competencies 

• Working knowledge of industrial utility operations: NH₃ refrigeration, steam/boilers (150 PSI), compressed air, HVAC/AHUs, auxiliary systems 

• Ability to interpret logs/trends; basic understanding of controls and instrumentation 

• Ability to read equipment documentation and (preferred) P&IDs / schematics 

• Competence in CMMS usage, documentation, and compliance recordkeeping 

What are we looking for?

EDUCATION 

• High school diploma/GED required 

• Technical school, apprenticeship, or relevant military/industrial training preferred 

LICENSES / CERTIFICATIONS (adjust to your requirement) 

• NH₃ refrigeration credentialing (preferred; e.g., RETA-style certifications if you use them) 

• Boiler operator credentials (preferred where applicable) 

EXPERIENCE 

• 3+ years industrial utilities or plant operations experience preferred (adjust) 

• Hands-on exposure to at least two of the following strongly preferred: NH₃ refrigeration, boilers/steam, compressed air, industrial HVAC/AHUs 

• Experience coordinating contractors and working in regulated manufacturing environments 

OPERATING ENVIRONMENT AND GUIDANCE 

• Industrial manufacturing environment; shift work may include nights/weekends/holidays 

• Compliance with site safety programs and regulatory requirements applicable to utilities 

• Participation in on-call / emergency response rotation as required 

What can you expect from Mars? 

• Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles. 

• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today. 

• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University. 

• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus. 

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