Maintenance Technician - NMH

Reports to: Maintenance Manager

Location: Portales, NM

About Us

At Hoover's Hatchery, we don't just hatch chicks – we support farmers, homesteaders, feed stores, and families across the country. Our team serves customers nationwide while staying rooted in the values of hard work, accountability, and community.

As a stable and growing agricultural business, we operate in an industry that continues to thrive. Our people are at the heart of everything we do – ensuring every chick is hatched, processed, and delivered with the care and precision our customers count on.

Unlike large corporate environments where roles can be narrow and repetitive, our team members have the opportunity to grow their expertise, take ownership of their work, and play a visible role in the daily success of the operation. No two days look exactly the same – and your contribution makes a direct difference.

At Hoover's Hatchery, every role contributes to a business that supports customers across the country while staying grounded in the values of hard work and reliability that define our team. If you're someone who takes initiative, thrives in a hands-on environment, and takes pride in doing quality work, we want to hear from you.

Why Join Our Team?

• Stable and growing company with national reach
• Hands-on leadership role with real impact on daily operations
• Collaborative environment with direct access to management
• Structured processes and clear expectations
• Competitive compensation and full-time benefits
• Located in Portales, New Mexico with a strong sense of community and quality of life

Job Summary

The Maintenance Technician – NMH plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the hatchery facility, with a primary focus on the installation, troubleshooting, and repair of electrical systems and equipment. This role is responsible for maintaining the electrical infrastructure that supports incubation, hatching, and processing operations, while also assisting with general maintenance as needed. Shifts may vary and including evenings, weekends, and holidays based on facility needs.

Essential Functions

• Installs, inspects, troubleshoots, and repairs electrical systems and components throughout the facility, including but not limited to motor controls and starters, wiring, conduit, and panel systems, lighting and power distribution systems, PLCs and automation/control systems, electrical components on incubators, hatchers, and ventilation equipment.
• Diagnoses electrical malfunctions using appropriate testing equipment (e.g., multimeters, meggers, amp clamps, etc.) to identify root cause and resolve issues in a timely manner.
• Performs preventative maintenance (PM) on electrical systems and equipment, including scheduled inspections and testing to minimize downtime and ensure efficient hatchery operations.
• Performs routine maintenance and repairs such as inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, and repairing machines including but not limited to incubators, hatchers, ventilation systems, water supply systems, automation equipment, and other hatchery machinery.
• Monitors and maintains environmental control systems (e.g., temperature, humidity, ventilation, etc.) to support maximum hatchability and animal welfare.
• Assists with mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic troubleshooting and repairs as needed to support overall equipment reliability.
• Reads and interprets electrical schematics, blueprints, and wiring diagrams to guide installation and repair work.
• Ensures all electrical work complies with National Electrical Code (NEC) and applicable local, state, and company safety standards.
• Assists in maintaining parts inventory to ensure adequate supplies, parts, and components are available when needed.
• Adheres to safety protocols to include but not limited to lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, biosecurity, animal welfare, and safety regulations to maintain a safe working environment.
• Collaborates with leadership to prioritize tasks and improve overall hatchery performance.
• Records maintenance activities, equipment performance, and repairs for accurate record-keeping and analysis.
• Engages in training programs to enhance technical skills and remain up-to-date on electrical codes and industry best practices.
• Participates in an on-call rotation and responds to after-hours alarm calls in a timely manner.
• Completes all other tasks as assigned by leadership.

Job Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Journeyman electrician license or equivalent electrical certification preferred.
• 2+ years of industrial or commercial electrical maintenance experience preferred.
• Experience with PLCs, motor controls, and automation systems preferred.
• Work knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC) preferred.
• Technical certifications in HVAC, plumbing, or broiler operations preferred.
• Vehicle maintenance and diagnostic experience preferred.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Skills

• Strong electrical troubleshooting and diagnostic skills, with working knowledge of mechanical systems.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, blueprints, and technical drawings.
• Proficient with electrical testing equipment (e.g., multimeters, meggers, amp clamps, etc.).
• Ability to safely work with various tools and equipment, including but not limited to powered pallet jack, forklift, welding equipment, and other hand and power tools.
• Ability to read, write, communicate, and interpret information accurately in English.
• Ability to read blueprints and understand basic math and electrical calculations.
• Ability to interpret equipment manuals and technical drawings.
• Strong attention to detail and capacity for accurate record-keeping.
• Ability to analyze situations, identify problems, and develop solutions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.

Core Values

• Excellence: We hold ourselves to a high standard in everything we do.
• Tenacity: We are determined to persist until the problem is solved or we achieve our objectives.
• Servitude: We place high value on serving others to help them succeed whenever possible.
• Humility: We present ourselves in a way that is respectful of others and believe our ideas become even better when combined with the ideas of others.
• Ingenuity: We are committed to finding practical solutions to difficult problems by working hard, thinking “outside the box,” and never giving up.

Competencies

• Ethical conduct
• Strong computer skills
• High level of confidentiality
• Problem solving/analysis
• Ability to adapt to change
• Ability to work well with others and lead effectively
• Great organizational skills
• Able to successfully meet deadlines
• Strong communication skills
• Motivated and self-directed
• Able to prioritize effectively
• Effective in a team environment

Travel Requirements

• Little to no travel required, less than 5%.

Physical Demands

• Requires the ability to tolerate unpleasant odors associated with eggs and poultry of various quality.
• Normal corrective vision range, ability to see color and distinguish letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Frequently required to sit, walk, talk, hear, bend, reach, stand, stoop, crawl, crouch, push, pull, twist, turn, balance, climb, and stretch.
• Requires the ability to perform physical labor requiring continual use of motor skills and manual dexterity.
• Repetitive tasks and physical labor required.
• Requires regular exposure to dust, odors, poultry feathers, and varying temperatures.
• Requires the routine use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (e.g., safety glasses, gloves, masks, boots, etc.)
• This position may require heavy lifting, over 60 lbs.