Job Description

Job Title: Poultry Refrigeration Technician

The Poultry Refrigeration Technician is responsible for operating, maintaining, and repairing refrigeration and freezing systems within a poultry processing facility. This role ensures proper product temperatures, food safety compliance, and reliable operation of ammonia or Freon-based refrigeration systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and maintain refrigeration and freezer systems
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on compressors, evaporators, condensers, and control systems
• Monitor system pressures, temperatures, and alarms
• Respond to refrigeration system failures and emergency situations
• Maintain accurate logs, readings, and maintenance documentation
• Follow ammonia safety, PSM, and emergency response procedures
• Perform lockout/tagout and safety checks before maintenance activities
• Coordinate repairs with maintenance, production, and sanitation teams
• Support audits, inspections, and regulatory compliance (OSHA, EPA, USDA)
• Assist with startup, shutdown, and defrost operations

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical certification preferred
• Previous industrial refrigeration experience required (food or poultry processing preferred)
• Knowledge of ammonia (NH₃) and/or Freon-based systems
• Understanding of refrigeration controls, valves, pumps, and sensors
• Ability to read schematics, P&IDs, and system diagrams

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, climb, kneel, and lift throughout the shift
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
• Ability to work in cold, wet, noisy, or elevated environments
• Ability to wear respirators and safety equipment

Work Environment

• Poultry processing facility, engine rooms, freezers, and rooftops
• Exposure to cold temperatures, chemicals, noise, and pressurized systems
• On-call or emergency response rotation may be required

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical certification preferred
• Previous industrial refrigeration experience required (food or poultry processing preferred)
• Knowledge of ammonia (NH₃) and/or Freon-based systems
• Understanding of refrigeration controls, valves, pumps, and sensors
• Ability to read schematics, P&IDs, and system diagrams

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, climb, kneel, and lift throughout the shift
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
• Ability to work in cold, wet, noisy, or elevated environments
• Ability to wear respirators and safety equipment