Kiln Operator Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Pratt + Larson is on a mission to enrich the lives of our team, our partners, and our customers.
We are a team of dreamers, creators, and magicians. We pour our heart and soul into our work, and it shows. We're always looking for passionate, imaginative people to collaborate with on the next awe-inspiring design - and we've built our company around the growth and engagement of people like you. If that stokes your fire, we'd love to hear from you. To learn more about our company and what we do here, check out our website at www.prattandlarson.com
Take a look at the job below and if you think this job is a good match for you, please submit your resume and we will take a look.
We look forward to hearing from you! It all boils down to one question: Do you have Tile Dreams?
This job is full-time, daytime shift hours; Monday - Friday or Tuesday-Saturday.
Full Time Employee Benefits Include:

• 401k and 2% match
• Medical Insurance
• Flex Spend Account
• Dental Insurance - the core plan is no cost to our employees
• Vision Insurance
• Company paid Life Insurance
• Employee Referral bonus
• Employee Discount
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay

Requirements
Position Summary
The Maintenance Technician is responsible for performing preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on production equipment, building systems, utilities, and grounds within a ceramic tile manufacturing facility. This role supports safe, reliable, and efficient operations by troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, combustion, and facility-related issues; completing repairs and fabrication work; and partnering with production teams to minimize downtime and maintain product flow. A successful Maintenance Technician is hands-on, safety-minded, mechanically curious, customer-service-oriented, and able to work independently while communicating clearly with supervisors, operators, vendors, and outside contractors.
Key Accountabilities

• Performs general facility, building, and production maintenance including carpentry, plumbing, electrical troubleshooting, machine and tool repair, pneumatic and hydraulic troubleshooting, welding, fabrication, painting, lighting, basic HVAC support, and janitorial or grounds-related work as assigned.
• Repairs, maintains, rebuilds, and fabricates equipment used in ceramic tile production, including kilns, kiln cars, refractory components, pug mills, mixers, presses, conveyors, spray guns, glaze application equipment, compressors, air lines, pumps, motors, gearboxes, bearings, belts, guards, fixtures, and related shop equipment.
• Inspects production equipment and utility systems to identify wear, leaks, misalignment, abnormal noise, vibration, temperature concerns, air pressure issues, lubrication needs, and other conditions that could affect safety, quality, or uptime.
• Supports kiln reliability by assisting with refractory repairs, burner and combustion system checks, thermocouple or temperature control troubleshooting, door and seal adjustments, kiln furniture repairs, and coordination of planned shutdown work.
• Responds to equipment breakdowns and production calls using our internal ticket system in a timely manner, diagnoses root causes, completes safe repairs, tests equipment before returning it to service, and communicates status updates to affected departments.
• Works with outside contractors, vendors, and service technicians when needed by helping define the scope of work, preparing equipment or work areas, escorting vendors, supporting troubleshooting, and verifying that work is completed safely and effectively.
• Works across all departments to complete preventive maintenance schedules, planned repairs, equipment inspections, lubrication routes, safety checks, and seasonal facility needs while coordinating timing to reduce production disruption.
• Maintains accurate maintenance notes, work order updates, parts usage information, equipment observations, and follow-up needs so recurring problems can be tracked and future repairs can be planned.
• Assists with continuous improvement by recommending practical changes to improve equipment reliability, operator safety, housekeeping, energy efficiency, workflow, and ease of maintenance.
• Participates in team and Companywide meetings, shares maintenance updates, raises safety or equipment concerns, and supports communication between maintenance, production, quality, and leadership teams.
• Contributes to maintaining a clean, organized, and safe working environment by keeping maintenance areas orderly, returning tools and parts to proper locations, removing hazards, and following lockout/tagout and other required safety procedures.

Core Values: Must embrace and reflect Pratt + Larson's mission and core values: Enrichment, Cultivating Culture, Tile Dreams, Leading the Way and Taking Ownership
Skills and Competencies

• Strong mechanical aptitude and the ability to learn and apply skills in carpentry, plumbing, electrical troubleshooting, machine repair, welding and fabrication, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, HVAC basics, lubrication, bearings, belts, motors, pumps, compressors, conveyors, kiln support, painting, janitorial support, and the safe use of common hand tools, power tools, shop equipment, meters, lifts, and material-handling equipment.
• Capable of troubleshooting equipment and facility issues by defining the problem, gathering information from operators, inspecting equipment, using manuals or diagrams when available, identifying practical repair options, and resolving issues quickly and safely.
• Ability to read and follow work orders, equipment manuals, safety procedures, basic drawings, schematics, labels, gauges, and instructions related to manufacturing equipment and facility systems.
• Comfortable working in a hands-on production environment where priorities may shift quickly due to equipment downtime, production schedules, safety needs, or urgent facility repairs.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, prioritize urgent work, follow through on assigned projects, and work well with changing priorities and situations.
• Must be a self-starter who can work independently, ask good questions, communicate clearly, support production employees respectfully, and work well with people at all levels.

Performance Standards
All production employees are held to measurement of the following performance standards:

• job knowledge and productivity,
• taking initiative
• teamwork
• openness and flexibility
• attendance and punctuality
• safety

Annual performance evaluation based on position's expected standards and attainment of annual goals established between supervisor and incumbent.
Working Conditions
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position, move about the production floor, climb, bend, kneel, reach, carry tools and parts, and work around manufacturing equipment. The employee is frequently required to operate, inspect, repair, or assist with various production and facility systems, including equipment that may involve heat, dust, noise, compressed air, moving parts, wet areas, glazes, clay materials, and other normal conditions found in a ceramic tile manufacturing environment. The employee is regularly required to observe, identify, detect, communicate, and exchange information with team members. The employee may occasionally exert up to 100 pounds of force and, with assistance, move, transport and/or position up to 100 pounds. The employee may be required to wear personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, respirator, fall protection, or other equipment as required by the task or work area.
Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this job/position. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Pratt & Larson reserves the right to amend and change, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job to meet business and organizational needs as necessary at any time.
Salary Description
$23 - $33 per hour