General Mechanical Technician

VLS Environmental Solutions•Victoria, TX

About The Position

With limited supervision, the General Mechanical Technician removes, repairs, cleans, and reapplies outlet gates on hopper cars and performs final cleaning on railcars before departure, including tank cars and hoppers. The role also assists with paint-shop work such as touch-ups, stenciling, interior and exterior painting, and blasting. Housekeeping duties include picking up trash and general cleanup. Depending on workload, the position may be assigned duties in other areas of the shop. The technician follows applicable safety, production, quality assurance, AAR/FRA, customer, manufacturer, and SRS procedures. The role uses blasting equipment, respirators, and hand tools, and includes maintaining and assisting with repairs to shop equipment. The employee completes required paperwork, participates in training, and may help train newer employees. No employees report directly to this position.

Requirements

At least one year of previous experience in the railcar industry working on or with hopper cars.
Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Ability to meet the physical demands and work conditions described in the posting.
Able to stand for long periods with limited breaks.
Able to work in confined spaces and at elevated heights.
Able to work in extreme temperatures and elements for extended periods.
Able to perform the listed physical activities, including standing, walking, sitting, using hands, reaching, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, talking or hearing, and smelling.
Able to work near moving mechanical parts and in a loud environment, and to encounter fumes or airborne particles and risk of electrical shock.
Required to pass a pre-employment background check, physical, and drug screening.
No employees report directly to this position; the role may require training less experienced employees.

Nice To Haves

High school graduate or equivalent.
Previous industrial, manufacturing, railroad, environmental, commercial painting, or coating experience.

Responsibilities

Promote safety throughout the shop, maintain a safe work area, follow safe work practices, and participate in the Behavior Based Safety program.
Remove, repair, clean, and reapply outlet gates on hopper cars.
Perform final cleaning of tank cars and hopper cars before departure.
Assist with paint-shop touch-ups, stenciling, interior and exterior painting, and blasting.
Maintain paint-shop housekeeping, including picking up trash and general cleanup.
Follow AAR/FRA, customer, manufacturer, SRS, safety, production, and quality assurance procedures and regulations.
Meet production goals and time allowances, follow all production steps, avoid rework, and comply with customer and manufacturer coating requirements.
Inform the supervisor when supplements are needed.
Complete required paperwork and sign off on work.
Use blasting equipment, respirators, and hand tools; learn to tear down and repair this equipment.
Keep equipment clean and in good working order, assist with repairs to equipment, lights, blast equipment, and booths, and report gauges that are out of calibration or near their calibration due date.
Keep required personal protective equipment, including respirators, clean and properly stored.
Contribute to a positive team environment and support coworkers' efforts to succeed.
Participate in required training and help supervisors and lead personnel train new employees in paint-shop work.
Listen and seek clarification when needed.
Perform other duties in other shop locations as assigned based on workload.