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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Assistant Maintenance Technician

💰 $ - $

MaintenanceTechnicianFacilities

🎯 Role Definition

The Assistant Maintenance Technician supports safe, reliable, and efficient operation of building systems and production equipment by performing preventative maintenance, troubleshooting mechanical and electrical issues, executing repairs, and maintaining accurate work order and compliance documentation. This hands-on role works under the supervision of lead technicians or maintenance managers and requires a strong focus on safety, equipment reliability, and continuous improvement.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Maintenance Helper / Facilities Assistant
  • Trade School Graduate or Apprenticeship (mechanical/electrical)
  • Military technician / Equipment mechanic

Advancement To:

  • Maintenance Technician
  • Senior Maintenance Technician / Specialist
  • Lead Technician / Shift Supervisor
  • Facilities Maintenance Manager / Plant Maintenance Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • HVAC Technician
  • Controls / PLC Technician
  • Electrician
  • Reliability Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform routine preventive maintenance on mechanical, electrical, HVAC, and building systems according to scheduled plans (lubrication, belt replacement, filter changes, inspections) to reduce downtime and extend equipment life.
  • Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair mechanical failures including pumps, motors, conveyors, gearboxes, fans, and bearings using hand tools, diagnostic meters, and vibration/thermography aids.
  • Perform basic electrical maintenance and repairs up to local code limits: replace starters, relays, sensors, troubleshoot circuits, change fuses, and assist electricians with larger projects while following safety protocols.
  • Assist with HVAC system maintenance: replace filters, inspect ductwork, check refrigerant levels, clean coils, and perform minor repairs to ensure proper climate control and equipment performance.
  • Execute plumbing and piping repairs including replacing valves, fixing leaks, unclogging drains, and maintaining condensate systems to ensure uninterrupted operations.
  • Respond to urgent breakdowns and emergency maintenance calls; triage problems, implement temporary fixes to restore operations, and support root-cause corrective actions.
  • Follow lockout-tagout (LOTO) and confined-space entry procedures to de-energize equipment and maintain personal and team safety during repairs.
  • Maintain accurate entries in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS): open/close work orders, log parts used, record labor hours, and update preventive maintenance status.
  • Set up and operate shop equipment and tools (welding equipment, grinders, drills, saws, lifts) safely to fabricate parts, modify components, and complete repairs.
  • Perform basic welding, brazing, soldering, and pipefitting tasks to repair or fabricate components as directed by senior technicians.
  • Inspect building infrastructure (roofs, doors, windows, lighting, fire protection systems) and perform repairs or escalate to vendors for specialized work to maintain facilities compliance and comfort.
  • Assist with installation, calibration, and testing of instrumentation and controls under supervision, including sensors, transducers, and basic PLC I/O verification.
  • Perform routine lubrication, alignment, and belt/tension adjustments to rotating equipment to minimize vibration and extend component life.
  • Conduct pre-shift and periodic safety inspections, identify hazards, correct minor issues, and report larger concerns to supervisors to maintain a safe workplace.
  • Support energy-efficiency and reliability initiatives by recommending small improvement projects and executing assigned upgrades such as LED retrofits, insulation repairs, or sealing work.
  • Manage parts and supplies: pick parts for jobs, restock bins, perform cycle counts, and notify procurement of low-usage or critical spares to maintain inventory readiness.
  • Assist vendors and contractors on site: coordinate access, provide equipment history, and support vendor troubleshooting and commissioning activities.
  • Maintain clean, organized work areas and service vehicles; ensure tools and equipment are properly stored, tagged, and maintained to reduce downtime and improve safety.
  • Read and interpret blueprints, mechanical drawings, wiring diagrams, and technical manuals to perform repairs and assist with installations accurately.
  • Participate in continuous improvement activities such as 5S, kaizen events, and reliability workshops to improve maintenance processes, reduce waste, and increase uptime.
  • Support scheduled shutdowns and planned outages by executing assigned tasks, preparing required materials, and assisting with post-shutdown validation and restart procedures.
  • Provide basic training and mentorship to new maintenance helpers and apprentices on safe work practices, tool use, and standard procedures under the guidance of senior technicians.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in compiling maintenance metrics (MTTR, MTBF, downtime) and provide observational input to the maintenance planner to help prioritize improvement projects.
  • Help develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety checklists, and maintenance task plans to ensure consistent execution and compliance.
  • Support cross-functional teams (production, quality, safety) by performing root cause investigations and corrective action follow-through for recurring equipment issues.
  • Participate in on-the-job training and certification programs (forklift, aerial lift, confined space) to expand technical competencies and meet company safety requirements.
  • Provide on-call coverage as required by shift schedules and respond to after-hours emergencies with appropriate escalation and documentation.
  • Assist with groundskeeping and exterior building maintenance tasks like snow/ice management, parking lot repairs, and exterior lighting to support plant operations.
  • Coordinate basic procurement requests for maintenance parts and consumables and assist in vendor selection for routine service agreements.
  • Support regulatory and environmental compliance by assisting with equipment inspections, emission checks, and documentation for audits.
  • Help prepare materials and staging areas for major maintenance projects, ensuring that tools and parts are available and properly labeled.
  • Provide courteous interface with internal customers and production staff: communicate outage impacts, estimated repair times, and status updates clearly and professionally.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Preventive maintenance planning and execution (lubrication, filters, belts, bearings)
  • Mechanical troubleshooting and repair of pumps, motors, gearboxes, fans, conveyors
  • Basic electrical troubleshooting: circuits, starters, relays, sensors, motor controls
  • HVAC maintenance fundamentals: filters, refrigeration basics, coils, and airflow balancing
  • Plumbing and piping repair: valves, fittings, condensate, leak repairs
  • Use of CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) to log work orders and track assets
  • Hand and power tools operation; safe use of grinders, drills, torque wrenches, and meters
  • Welding and metal fabrication basics (MIG, stick, brazing) for on-site repairs
  • Forklift and aerial lift operation (or ability/willingness to be certified)
  • Lockout-tagout, confined space, and general industrial safety compliance
  • Blueprint reading, wiring diagrams, and technical manual interpretation
  • Basic instrumentation and controls assistance including sensor calibration and verification
  • Preventive/predictive maintenance techniques (vibration, thermography basics) — familiarity preferred
  • Inventory and parts management procedures, basic procurement request knowledge

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to safety-first work practices
  • Effective verbal and written communication with technicians, supervisors, and vendors
  • Problem-solving mindset with ability to triage and prioritize repair activities under pressure
  • Team player who can collaborate across maintenance, production, and facilities groups
  • Time management and organizational skills to manage assigned work orders and tasks
  • Adaptability and willingness to learn new systems, tools, and technologies quickly
  • Customer-service orientation when supporting production or internal facility stakeholders
  • Reliability and punctuality; consistent attendance for shift coverage and on-call duties
  • Initiative to suggest incremental improvements and take ownership of assigned tasks
  • Resilience and calmness when responding to emergencies or unplanned equipment failures

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED (required)

Preferred Education:

  • Technical certificate, trade school diploma or associate degree in Industrial Maintenance, HVAC, Electrical Technology, or Mechanical Technology

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Electrical Technology / Electrical Engineering Technology
  • Mechanical Technology / Industrial Maintenance
  • HVAC/Refrigeration Technology
  • Plumbing / Pipefitting
  • Industrial Electronics / Controls

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years of hands-on maintenance or trades experience (entry-level acceptable with relevant training/apprenticeship)

Preferred: 1–3 years of maintenance experience in manufacturing, facilities, or building systems; experience with CMMS and basic electrical/mechanical repair preferred

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