General Mechanical Technician

VLS Environmental Solutions, LLC, is a recognized leader in providing sustainability solutions, with three divisions providing industry-leading services. With a mission to innovate solutions to meet clients' sustainability goals, VLS has over 1,200 employees in 40+ locations across North America.

Waste Services

VLS Waste Services provides customized waste processing solutions for hazardous and non-hazardous industrial and commercial waste, including landfill diversion and sustainability programs, solidification of liquid waste, recycling, wastewater treatment, and waste sequestration.

Railcar Services

VLS Railcar Cleaning and Repair Services division provides specialty cleaning services for difficult-to-clean products, including chemicals, hardened materials, and pressurized gases, and comprehensive repair services for certified full-service repairs, tank car qualifications, and maintenance.

Marine Services

VLS Marine Services division offers state-of-the-art barge cleaning, repair, and gas-free facilities for various chemical solvents and downstream petroleum products.

Job Description Overview

With limited supervision, removes, repairs, cleans, and reapplies outlet gates on hopper cars. Also does final cleaning on railcars before departure, either tanks or hoppers. Assists in other areas of paint shop such as touch up, stenciling, interior and exterior paint and blast. In addition, maintains housekeeping of paint shop to include picking up trash and general cleanup. Depending on work load this position may be assigned to other job duties in other locations throughout the shop.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Safety-minded and pushes safety throughout the shop. Maintains work area, practices safe work habits, and takes no shortcuts when it involves safety. Participates in the Behavior Based Safety (BBS) program.
  
  • Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness. Follows all AAR/FRA, Customer, Manufacture, and SRS procedures and regulations. Looks for ways to improve and promote Quality throughout the shop.
  
  • Meets production goals and covers time allowed on jobs. No rework and understands customer/manufacturer requirements for applying coatings. Makes the supervisor aware of supplements when needed. Does not take shortcuts and ensures all production steps have been properly followed.
  
  • Completes required paperwork and signs off on all work.
  
  • Ability to use blasting equipment, respirators, and hand tools. Ability to learn how to tear down and repair this same equipment.
  
  • Maintains equipment keeping it clean and in good working order. Assists with repairs to the equipment, lights, blast equipment and booths. Notifies supervisor or lead man of gages out of calibration or near calibration due date. Maintains all required PPE (Respirator) keeping it clean and stored properly.
  
  • Contributes to building a positive team spirit. Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
  
  • Follows Safety, Production, and QA policies.
  
  • Participates in required training and helps the supervisor and leadman train new employees in all aspects of the paint shop.
  
  • Listens and gets clarification

Requirements

• One (1) year of previous experience in the railcar industry working on or with hopper cars.
• No employees will directly report to this position. However, this position could require training other less experienced employees.
• Able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to meet all physical demands notated in the Physical Demands & Work Conditions noted below.

Preferred Requirements

• High School Graduate or equivalent
• Previous industrial, manufacturing, railroad, environmental, commercial paint, or coating experience

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• Must pass a pre-employment background check, physical, and drug screening
• Able to stand for long periods of time with limited breaks
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds 
• Work in extreme temperatures and elements for an extended period of time
• Must be able to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and smell
• Must be able to work in confined spaces
• Must be able to work at elevated heights
• May encounter fumes or airborne particles; risk of electrical shock
• Work near moving mechanical parts and in a loud environment
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus