If you are looking to hire staff for your facility or factory, you need a clear maintenance technician job description. This document helps you find people who can fix machines and keep your building in good shape. At Righteo, we know that finding the right person starts with a clear list of what the job involves.
Key Takeaways
- A maintenance technician keeps plant equipment and buildings running well.
- Duties include fixing broken machines and doing regular checks to stop problems.
- Workers in Australia must follow strict WHS and electrical safety rules.
- Using a Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) is a standard part of the job.
- Clear job descriptions help you find staff with the right technical skills.
What does a maintenance technician do?
You might wonder exactly what this role covers in a daily work schedule. A maintenance technician is a person who looks after the physical assets of a business. They work on everything from large factory machines to the lights and plumbing in an office. Their main goal is to make sure nothing breaks down unexpectedly.
When something does go wrong, they are the first people called to fix it. They use tools to find out why a machine stopped working. This is called fault diagnosis. Once they find the problem, they repair it so work can start again. They also do regular service work, like oiling parts or replacing old belts, to keep things running smoothly.
Maintenance technician duties and responsibilities
The specific tasks can change depending on where the person works. However, most roles share a common set of maintenance technician duties. You should include these in your job post to attract the right people.
- Routine Inspections: Checking equipment every day or week to find signs of wear.
- Preventive Maintenance: Carrying out planned service tasks to stop breakdowns before they happen.
- Corrective Maintenance: Fixing machines or building features after they have failed.
- Fault Diagnosis: Using testing tools to find the root cause of mechanical or electrical issues.
- Parts Management: Keeping track of spare parts and ordering new ones when stock is low.
- Cleaning: Keeping work areas and tools clean and safe to use.
- Reporting: Writing down what work was done and how long it took.
Another part of the maintenance technician responsibilities involves working with other trades. If your facility requires specific electrical work beyond general repairs, you might also need to review an Electrician Job Description to see which role fits your needs best.
Facilities maintenance job description vs plant maintenance
It is important to know if you need a plant maintenance technician or someone for a general facility. These roles are similar but have different focus areas.
Plant maintenance technician
A plant maintenance technician works mostly with heavy machinery. You will find them in factories, mines, or processing hubs. Their work is very technical. They need to understand how production lines work. They often deal with:
- Hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
- Conveyor belts and motors.
- Large industrial ovens or cooling units.
- Robotic arms or automated systems.
Facilities maintenance
A facilities maintenance job description focuses more on the building itself. This is common for office blocks, hospitals, or schools. The tasks are often broader:
- Fixing leaky taps or toilets.
- Patching holes in walls or painting.
- Checking fire alarms and emergency lights.
- Managing heating and cooling systems (HVAC).
Maintenance technician job description template
You can use the following template to create your own job advertisement. Simply fill in the details about your specific company.
Job Title: Maintenance Technician Location: [Insert City/State], Australia Reports To: Maintenance Manager
Job Summary: We are looking for a skilled person to join our team. You will be responsible for keeping our equipment and building in top condition. You will perform regular checks and fix any faults that occur.
Main Tasks:
- Perform preventive maintenance on all plant equipment.
- Carry out repairs quickly to reduce downtime.
- Use our CMMS to track work orders and log repairs.
- Follow all Australian WHS and safety standards.
- Diagnose faults in mechanical and basic electrical systems.
Requirements:
- Proven experience in a similar maintenance role.
- Ability to use hand tools and power tools safely.
- Good physical fitness for manual tasks.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Basic computer skills for data entry.
Skills and qualifications for the role
To do this job well, a person needs a mix of physical skills and technical knowledge. In Australia, certain tasks require specific licences. You should check if the person has the right papers before hiring them.
- Technical Knowledge: Understanding how gears, motors, and circuits work.
- Tool Skills: Being able to use drills, saws, wrenches, and multimeters.
- Problem Solving: The ability to look at a broken machine and figure out how to fix it.
- Communication: Talking to managers and other staff about repair timelines.
- Attention to Detail: Noticing small sounds or leaks that could lead to big problems later.
Many technicians in Australia have a Certificate III in Engineering (Mechanical Trade) or a similar qualification. This shows they have been trained properly in workshop practices.
Australian WHS and electrical safety compliance
Safety is the most important part of any maintenance job in Australia. You must make sure your staff follow the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act. This keeps the worker and everyone else in the building safe.
- Risk Assessments: Before starting a job, the technician must look for hazards.
- Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO): They must turn off power and lock switches before working on machines. This stops someone from turning the machine on while they are fixing it.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): They must wear the right gear, like steel-cap boots, safety glasses, and high-visibility vests.
- Electrical Safety: In Australia, only licensed electricians can do major electrical work. A maintenance technician can often do basic tasks, but they must know the limits of the law. They must follow the AS/NZS 3000 standards where they apply.
Using a Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) helps with safety too. It keeps a record of when safety checks were done. This is helpful if there is ever an audit or an accident.
How do I write a good job description?
Start with a clear job title. List the daily tasks and the tools the person will use. Make sure you mention the specific machines in your factory. State the required licences and the safety rules they must follow.
What is the difference between a technician and a mechanic?
A mechanic usually works on vehicles like cars or trucks. A maintenance technician works on stationary machines in a factory or on the building itself. Both use tools to fix things, but the equipment is different.
Do maintenance technicians need a licence in Australia?
It depends on the work. For general mechanical work, they may not need a specific licence but should have a trade certificate. If they do electrical or plumbing work, they must have the correct state-issued licence.
What is a CMMS?
A CMMS is software that helps a business manage its maintenance. It stores a list of all machines. It tells the technician when a machine needs a service. The technician then uses it to close work orders after the job is finished.
Conclusion
Creating a detailed maintenance technician job description is the best way to find a reliable worker for your Australian business. By listing the specific duties, such as fault diagnosis and preventive care, you set clear expectations. Make sure you focus on WHS compliance to keep your workplace safe. Whether you need help with a factory or an office building, the right technician will keep your operations running without a hitch. Righteo is here to help you understand these roles so you can build a strong team.