Glasshouse and irrigation technician

Family Fresh Farms is a 5-ha high-tech mini snack cucumber farm based in Peats Ridge, New South Wales. The farm produces mini snack cucumbers 365 days a year using the latest techniques, technology and equipment to keep ahead. This is an extremely fast-paced and exciting business to be a part of and it is continuing to develop and evolve.

As Head of the Glasshouse and Irrigation Maintenance Team – it is imperative to be able to prioritize tasks that need addressing in order of urgency and overall effect on the business. The buildings, equipment & infrastructure of Family Fresh Farms are now over 5 years old and so maintenance is becoming increasingly important. 

The owner and management of Family Fresh Farms is insistent that repairs and maintenance are taken seriously and done immediately to keep the business operating at the most efficient and safest level.  This role demands attention to detail, commitment, good communication skills, and keen observation of the mechanics, machinery and moving components of the entire site.

The role is extremely varied and requires an array of skills. A willingness to learn and work as part of a large team is essential. This role is covered by Horticultural Award Level 5.

MACHINERY:

•       Regular servicing of scissor lifts and automatic power bees
•       Servicing and preparation of the Heecon Crop Change Machine
•       Servicing and preparation of the Glasshouse sweeping machines for crop change
•       Basic servicing and repairs of the packline, flow-wrap, metal detectors and check weighing machines
•       Basic service and repairs of packhouse and glasshouse machinery
•       Disinfekton machines
•       Fogging machines
•       Air compressors
•       Coldroom
•       Taks machine
•       Boix machine
•       Boiler
•       Woodchip bay
•       Fans
•       Roof washer

REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE:

•       All repairs and maintenance onsite of all buildings and equipment
•       All repairs and maintenance of irrigation and climate control equipment/sensors/machinery
•       Maintenance and service of the Boiler and Woodchip Bays
•       Ability to use hand tools, power tools and hoists (or any type of lifting equipment for moving or lifting heavy items)
•       Replacing and cleaning filters in the irrigation and fogging systems
•       All repairs and maintenance for the onsite accommodation
•       All repairs to glasshouses including glass windows, shade curtains, sensors, pipes, rails, weigh scales, cameras, heating and fogging equipment
•       Welding, cutting and fabricating
•       Cleaning of the solar panels on the boiler shed
•       Repairs and maintenance of the roof washer

OPERATION:

•       Operating the Heecon Crop Change machine
•       Forklift
•       ATV
•       Boiler
•       Manitou

COMMUNICATION:

•       Communicate with the management, growers, packhouse team, contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers and sales representatives.
•       Communicate and coordinate with overseas suppliers and organising freight of specialist spare parts.
•       Communicate with growers regarding dam and water levels on the farm

COORDINATION:

•       Coordinating and organising of outside contractors – ensuring they are inducted onto site safely and undergo the appropriate work or repairs according to the specifications
•       Coordination on planting day of all deliveries of plants, assisting drivers access the unloading dock safely
•       Ensuring the Kilpa Road driveway is sectioned off so trucks do not park by gate 1 and disturb the neighbours with the noise of their refrigeration units over night whilst waiting to be unloaded.
•       Ensuring everything is serviced and prepared for crop change – machinery including crop change machine, sweeping machines, blowers, floor washers, spray machines, roof washers, gas, petrol, diesel, new slabs, bins on the forklift, forklifts, etc
•       Ensure the correct use of the machinery over crop change

PROCUREMENT:

•       Searching online or by calling suppliers for the best materials/spare parts at the most reasonable price and quickest delivery to keep delays on-farm to a minimum
•       Purchasing materials and spare parts
•       Ordering bulk diesel and keeping stock records
•       Ordering waste removal
•       Ensure all jobs/spares are quoted in writing and approved before expenditure occurs.

WASTE MANAGEMENT:

•       Liaising with Veolia or the company’s waste contractor to pick up waste when necessary
•       Ensuring all waste is collected correctly into the correct waste collection bins
•       That the waste compactors are functioning 100%

GROUND KEEPING SERVICES:

•       Ensure Family Fresh Farms site is kept tidy and all areas mowed and maintained in a presentable manner at all time.
•       Ensure weeds are sprayed
•       Low hanging branches and other hazards are cleared

WORK, HEALTH AND SAFETY:

•       Ensure all job and activities are safe and compliant with the regulations
•       That all tasks and jobs undertaken are done with due caution to keep yourself and others safe at all times

RECORD KEEPING:

•       Ensure all tasks/jobs are entered into the Service Engine App
•       Ensure all receipts, quotes and invoices are kept and given to Accounts Department
•       Record and keep all data and relevant information for the maintenance department

VALUABLE SKILLS FOR THIS POSITION (but not essential):

• Troubleshooting and sound reasoning skills
• General fitting and fabrication
• Routine welding, (MIG, TIG)
• Basic electrical troubleshooting and fault finding
• Experience with building and maintaining pneumatic circuits
• Working from Heights certification
• Drivers licence
• Forklift driving licence
• Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems
• Inspect, operate and test machinery or diagnose machine malfunctions
• Ability to prioritize tasks according to urgency and impact

TABLE OF TASKS INCLUDED IN THIS ROLE: 

If you're interested, please contact us below. 

Nicky Mann, WHS & Labour Manager 
+61 404 921 209
nicky.mann@familyfreshfarms.com.au

Family Fresh Farms
www.familyfreshfarms.com.au 
13 Kilpa Road, Peats Ridge
NSW 2250 Australia 

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