Boiler Operator/Technician

Location: Montgomery, MN

Pay: $30–$34/hr based on experience

Higher rates possible with Chief Boiler License

Schedule: Varies by season. Rotating 12-hr shifts during pack. Day shift during off-pack.

Employment Type: Full-time

Environment: Non-union manufacturing facility

Role Overview

The Boiler Operator supports a large food manufacturing facility that processes sweet corn and peas and operates year-round with a high-intensity summer pack season. This role is responsible for the safe operation, monitoring, and mechanical maintenance of boiler and utility systems that are critical to continuous production.

The position is hands-on and operational in nature. Programming or control system development is not required. The focus is on mechanical reliability, system monitoring, safety, and coordination with maintenance and operations teams, especially during peak production periods.

Facility & Operating Environment

The Montgomery facility operates as a dual-phase plant with two very different operating modes.

During pack season, typically June through September, the plant runs 24/7 to process fresh harvest. Equipment utilization, staffing, and system reliability are at their highest demand levels of the year.

Outside of pack season, October through May, the facility transitions to a more predictable weekday schedule focused on preventive maintenance, rebuilds, and system improvements.

The site includes large-scale manufacturing operations, labeling and distribution areas, and industrial refrigeration and freezer systems. The maintenance team is lean year-round and expands with seasonal labor during peak operations.

The culture is non-union, direct, and accountability-driven. Leadership is visible, hands-on, and heavily promotes from within. Integrity, humility, and follow-through matter as much as technical skill.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and maintain industrial boiler systems to support continuous manufacturing operations
• Perform mechanical inspections, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance on boilers and related equipment
• Operate and maintain RO systems, water sanitization systems, wells, and water softeners
• Monitor pressures, temperatures, water chemistry, and system performance
• Respond to alarms and operating deviations to maintain safe and stable operations
• Complete accurate logs, records, and documentation in compliance with GMP and safety requirements
• Coordinate closely with maintenance and production teams during both pack and off-pack operations
• Support maintenance activities outside the boiler area when needed
• Follow all safety procedures, lockout/tagout practices, and regulatory requirements
• Contribute positively to team communication, shift handoffs, and plant culture

Pack Season Expectations (June – September)

• 24/7 operations supporting fresh crop processing
• 12-hour rotating shifts, including nights
• Rotation pattern typically follows 7 on / 2 off, 7 on / 2 off, 7 on / 3 off
• Early season startup may require extended runs before first scheduled days off
• Night shift work during pack is a non-negotiable requirement
• High visibility role supporting critical utilities during peak production

Pack season is the most demanding period of the year and the primary test of fit for new hires.

Off-Pack Operations (October – May)

• Daytime, weekday schedule
• Focus on preventive maintenance, rebuilds, inspections, and system improvements
• Greater emphasis on planning, reliability, and long-term equipment health
• Off-pack performance strongly influences long-term growth and advancement

Required Qualifications

• First Class B Boiler License (minimum requirement)
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on troubleshooting skills
• Experience operating and maintaining industrial boiler or utility systems
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong attention to detail, documentation, and safety
• Clear communication skills and willingness to support cross-functional work

Preferred Qualifications

• Chief Boiler License
• Experience in food manufacturing or other regulated industrial environments
• Experience working in seasonal or high-intensity production facilities
• Comfort working rotating shifts and night work during peak operations

Why This Role Works Long-Term

• Critical utility role with high visibility and responsibility
• Strong promote-from-within culture
• Stable off-pack schedule balanced against intense but finite pack season
• Hands-on mechanical focus without programming responsibilities
• Long-term retention driven by winter stability and leadership support