Field Technician

Description:

Job Title: Field Technician

Reports to: Field Technician Manager

Department: Service

Location: 808 Timberlake Road, Fairmont, MN 56031

Updated: September 2023

Position Summary: Installs, repairs, maintains, and adjusts indicating, recording, metering, and controlling instruments and test equipment, used to control and measure variables such as pressure, flow, temperature, motion, force, electronic scales, and chemical composition by performing the following duties. These systems are used in the bulk material handling for grain, chemicals and fertilizer, minerals, and more. This will be done in person and over the phone.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Exhibit and promote the following values:
• Curiosity Attitude: An employee who is curious is motivated to take time to question and explore new things to find answers that will ensure the best outcomes for the organization.
• Focus on Quality: An employee who values quality has integrity and produces results that meet high standards set by the organization
• Passion for Service: An employee who is service-oriented displays positive behavior and responds to customers using good business practices to meet their needs and expectations.
• Dedicated Spirit: A dedicated employee is one who takes ownership of their role and the whole organization to ensure that goals are achieved.

Inside Technician

• Provide phone support for Kahler customers primarily related to Kahler-produced hardware. Instructs users in the use of equipment, software, and manuals.
• Troubleshoot control systems such as flow meters, electronic scale systems, and machine automation systems. Technologies include electrical, electronic, pneumatic, hydraulic, VFD, programmable logic controllers, and computer systems.
• Follows established processes, procedures, or protocols when resolving customer issues.
• Responds to client inquiries concerning systems operation and diagnoses system hardware, software, and operator problems over the phone.
• Recommends or performs minor remedial actions to correct operational problems.
• Uses good communication and decision-making to assist customers in diagnosing and resolving issues associated with Kahler equipment.
• Work with customers for returning parts to be repaired and forward parts to vendors if necessary.
• Documents actions in customer records. Documents component serial numbers for meters, scales, etc. for historical and warranty information.
• Will be asked to test software written by in-house programmers and provide a written report of problems or bugs encountered. Also, the new hardware being developed will need to be tested and performance reports written and provided to the project engineer.
• Evaluate sales orders for accuracy and recommend corrections. Refer problems to the appropriate design engineer.

Traveling Technician

• Install control systems in accordance with drawings and specifications as laid out by the engineering department.
• Adjust measuring devices and control systems to peak performance for end users.
• Training end users in the operation of the control system.
• Provides support via the phone to Kahler employees during startup projects.
• Replaces or repairs defective parts. Write service reports timely describing what was damaged and what was repaired.
• Respond to warranty repairs as necessary.
• Understands the unique application environment for each customer and how Kahler Automation equipment can solve problems.
• Loads and tests PLC software and other control device software.
• Reassembles instrument or test equipment, and tests assembly for conformance to specifications.
• Inspect instruments and test equipment periodically and adjust calibration to ensure functioning within specified standards.
• Calibrates instruments or test equipment according to established standards, calibrates liquid flow instruments in agronomy product manufacturing and distribution systems and repairs electrical and electronic controls.
• Collaborate with the owner and contractors to coordinate the successful installation and start-up of Kahler Automation Systems.
• Employee shall study to become proficient with software to work with PLC equipment manufactured by Allen Bradley, Siemens, and Schneider
• Completes and files work reports at the end of each day. Reports will reflect time, travel, worked hours, and all supplies and materials used.
• This Job description is not comprehensive, and all employees must be flexible, and willing to perform other duties as assigned by their supervisor.

Requirements:

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education/Experience:

Associate degree (A. A.) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school; or six months to one-year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Word, word processing software, and Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software. Willing to be trained in other software offered by Kahler for measuring and dispensing liquid and dry materials.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.

Math Ability:

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, plane and solid geometry fundamentals, trigonometry, algebra, and calculus. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Language Ability:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees in the organization. Effectively receive and provide information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Certificates and Licenses:

Valid Driver’s License

Travel:

Training or job site visits may be required with overnight stays. We estimate the travel to be around 70% of the time but may be greater due to projects. Travel may be by automobile or airplane. During the Spring and Fall, the travel may increase to close to 100%.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment and Physical Demands: The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions in indoor and outdoor locations (non-weather); works near moving mechanical parts; works in high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outdoor weather conditions; extreme cold (non-weather); extreme heat (non-weather); risk of electrical shock; risk of radiation and vibration.

The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 50 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 75 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus, While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required 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 taste or smell.

Hand Tools: Employee Provides

• 5 - Straight blade screwdrivers 3/32, 1/8, 5/32, ¼ inch
• 2 - Phillips tip screwdrivers #1 and #2
• 1 - Pair of long-nose pliers
• 1 - Wire stripper
• 1 - Diagonal cutter
• 1 - 8” crescent wrench
• 1 - Allen wrench Standard set.
• 1 - Allen wrench Metric set.
• 1 - Small knife or box cutter.

Other specialized tools will be supplied by Kahler