Machine Operator Academy - Ditch Witch

Ditch Witch Training Academy Program Summary:

The Machine Operator Trainee Program is a partnership between Meridian Technology Center and Ditch Witch to offer an opportunity to learn the foundations of manufacturing and CNC machine operating while getting paid. Individuals will go through a structured 4-week course before moving into a production position. 

How The Program Works:

• Applicants will be employed as full time Ditch Witch employees and receive training from Meridian Technology Center at the Ditch Witch, Perry Campus. The work schedule will equal 40 hours a week.
• Training will take place on the day shift.
• Upon successful completion of this program, applicants will work as an Evening Shift Machine Operator, 3:00 PM-11:00 PM, Monday-Friday.
• While in training, pay is $17.68 per hour. Candidates will receive a 10% shift differential upon moving to Evening shift after completing the training.

Classes:

Program classes will be comprehensive and will enable the applicant to move into one of our five core jobs. Classes will include:

• Safety training
• Basic blueprint reading
• Basic equipment and tool identification
• Basic Computer operations including operations in SAP
• Manufacturing Fundamentals – manufacturing processes, standardization, Lean/5S principles
• Specific skill training – CNC machine operation

Goal: Upon successful completion of the training program, applicants will be prepared to follow the job description and duties for Machine Operator I, job description below.

Machine Operator I at Ditch Witch:

This employee will operate one or more of various production machines. Machines operated may include: lathes, mills, drills, saws, automatic welders, benders, punches, shears, flame cuts, hi-definition & plasma, laser, heat treat, shot blast, etc. As a cross-functional team member of this division he or she may also assemble components and perform other duties as assigned.

What Will You Do?

• May read information from blueprints.
• Set up, adjust, and operate production equipment while monitoring the performance of the machine and carrying out operations in proper sequence.
• Set up fixtures, mount parts in fixtures/components, and perform mechanical assembly using hand and air tools (wrenches, torque wrenches, impact wrenches, screwdrivers, hammers, etc.).
• Place components into fixtures with a hoist and manually. Remove parts from fixtures, clean, de-burr, check for quality using measuring tools (micrometers, gauges, tape measures, rulers, squares, etc.), and detect and correct defects.
• Use a computer to check the location, inventory, and routing of parts and maintain production records.

What Do You Need?

• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Be familiar with and have basic experience using mechanical repair and assembly tools including wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.
• Have appropriate reading, clerical, and basic math skills including understanding written instructions, maintaining production records, and calculating sums, differences, and fractions.
• Experience or training in welding, machining, mechanical repair, or metal working machinery operation would be beneficial.

Work Environment:

• Manufacturing plant conditions (indoors, with variable temperature and humidity, noise, and dirt).
• Physical hazards such as powered vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic, sharp objects, moving machinery, electrical arc-welding equipment, and materials handling.
• Work with hazardous materials, such as coolant, solvents, oils, grease, & pressurized gases.
• A variable work schedule (ranging from 8-12 hours daily depending on production needs with overtime paid after 40 hours per week) and some scheduled work on Saturdays.
• An expectation to work at least 50% of the Extra Time (ET). 

Essential Physical Functions:

The physical demands for this job are classified as heavy and include the following:  

• Be able to regularly handle items weighing in excess of 60 pounds from floor to knuckle.  
• Be able to regularly pull or push items weighing up to 50 pounds.  
• Be able to regularly lift items up to 35 pounds from knuckle to shoulder.  
• Be able to regularly lift items up to 25 pounds from shoulder to overhead.  
• Job requires frequent standing, sitting, twisting, and bending.  
• Job requires occasional walking, elevated work, squatting, kneeling, and climbing. 

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and related needs and conditions, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.