Facility Technician (Kitchen Maintenance)

The Facility Technician will comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations, as well as the Employer’s safety policies, procedures, and directives. Technicians are responsible for the safe, efficient, and reliable operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of commercial kitchen equipment and related systems.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Inspect, operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair a wide variety of commercial kitchen equipment and associated systems.
• Perform routine and preventive maintenance on commercial cooking, refrigeration, food preparation, warewashing, and kitchen support equipment.
• Diagnose equipment malfunctions and determine the appropriate course of action to restore equipment to safe and reliable operating condition.
• Service and repair commercial ovens, ranges, griddles, fryers, convection ovens, combi ovens, steamers, proofers, holding cabinets, kettles, and other cooking equipment.
• Maintain and repair commercial refrigeration equipment, including reach-in and walk-in refrigerators and freezers, prep coolers, under-counter refrigeration, ice machines, condensers, evaporators, compressors, and associated components.
• Maintain and repair commercial dishwashing and warewashing equipment, including dishwashers, pot and pan washers, chemical dispensing systems, and associated plumbing components.
• Maintain and repair food preparation equipment, including mixers, slicers, food processors, disposals, garbage grinders, and other kitchen equipment.
• Troubleshoot and repair gas-fired, electric, steam, and water-operated commercial kitchen equipment.
• Troubleshoot and repair electrical components, controls, motors, relays, contactors, thermostats, sensors, switches, heating elements, and other equipment control systems.
• Inspect and maintain natural gas connections, valves, regulators, and associated components serving commercial kitchen equipment. Coordinate with qualified personnel or contractors when work exceeds the technician’s authorized scope.
• Inspect, maintain, and repair water supply lines, drains, valves, pumps, filters, and other plumbing components associated with kitchen equipment.
• Troubleshoot and repair equipment-related plumbing issues, including leaks, clogged drains, failed valves, and water supply problems.
• Perform preventative maintenance activities such as cleaning, lubrication, belt adjustments, filter replacement, calibration, inspection, and component replacement.
• Perform equipment start-up, shutdown, testing, and operational checks to ensure proper and safe performance.
• Respond promptly to service calls, equipment breakdowns, and kitchen emergencies that may impact food service operations.
• Prioritize repairs based on equipment criticality, food safety, operational impact, and customer requirements.
• Perform facility and kitchen equipment rounds and inspections to identify potential equipment failures or safety concerns before they result in an operational interruption.
• Maintain accurate records of inspections, preventive maintenance, repairs, parts used, and equipment conditions through the applicable work order or maintenance management system.
• Maintain an appropriate inventory of commonly used parts, tools, and materials required to perform kitchen equipment maintenance and repairs.
• Communicate with facility management, kitchen personnel, customers, vendors, and supervisors regarding equipment conditions, repairs, recommendations, and anticipated downtime.
• Coordinate with outside vendors and specialized service providers when equipment repairs require additional expertise, specialized parts, or manufacturer support.
• Review equipment manuals, schematics, service documentation, and manufacturer specifications when troubleshooting or performing repairs.
• Maintain kitchen equipment and surrounding work areas in a clean, safe, and orderly condition.
• Ensure work is performed in accordance with applicable health, safety, electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, gas, and food-service requirements.
• Maintain knowledge of current commercial kitchen equipment technologies, manufacturer requirements, safety practices, and applicable codes and regulations.
• Perform other maintenance and repair duties as assigned in support of kitchen and facility operations.

Certifications

• EPA 608 Universal Certification preferred.
• Any additional licenses or certifications required by applicable federal, state, or local regulations for the work performed.

Preferred Experience and Certifications

• 2+ years of experience maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing commercial kitchen equipment or related food-service equipment.
• Experience working with commercial cooking, refrigeration, warewashing, and food preparation equipment.
• Experience troubleshooting gas, electrical, refrigeration, steam, and plumbing systems associated with commercial kitchen equipment.
• Associate degree or technical training in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Electrical, HVAC/R, Refrigeration, Commercial Food Equipment, or a related field.
• OSHA 10 certification preferred.
• Manufacturer-specific training or certifications for commercial kitchen equipment preferred.
• Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) or electronic work order systems preferred.
• Knowledge of commercial kitchen health and safety requirements, including food-service sanitation standards, preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, equipment manuals, and manufacturer specifications.
• Working knowledge of commercial gas-fired and electric cooking equipment.
• Ability to diagnose equipment failures and identify root causes.
• Ability to use hand tools, power tools, electrical testing equipment, refrigeration gauges, and other diagnostic equipment.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while effectively coordinating with facility management, kitchen staff, vendors, and other trades.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize multiple service requests in a fast-paced commercial kitchen environment.
• Ability to respond effectively to emergency equipment failures and minimize disruption to food-service operations.
• Commitment to workplace safety and compliance with all applicable policies, procedures, and regulations. 

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, climb, and work in confined or difficult-to-access areas.
• Ability to safely lift and move tools, equipment components, and materials as required.
• Ability to work around heat, steam, grease, water, refrigeration equipment, electrical equipment, and moving mechanical components.
• Ability to work from ladders and elevated platforms when required.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Work Environment

The technician will work primarily in commercial kitchen and food-service environments. The work environment may include exposure to high temperatures, steam, grease, water, refrigeration equipment, cleaning chemicals, electrical equipment, gas-fired appliances, moving mechanical parts, and elevated noise levels.

The position may require working in active commercial kitchens during operating hours and may involve exposure to varying temperatures, including hot kitchen areas and refrigerated or freezer environments. Technicians must maintain a professional, safety-focused approach while working around kitchen staff, customers, and other facility personnel.

Technicians may be required to work varying shifts, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency or on-call assignments, based on operational requirements.

About UG2:

Founded in 2012, UG2 is privately held and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. At UG2, we set the standard in facility services through our relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence. We take pride in exceeding client expectations and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Every team member is integral to shaping our strategy and driving our mission. By embodying our commitment to service excellence, they directly contribute to UG2's growth and our reputation for delivering unparalleled results in a client-focused industry.