Painter

Summary

The Painter operates electrostatic powder coat spray systems to apply a high-quality finish to agricultural equipment components moving along a production conveyor line. Using charged powder paint technology, the Painter ensures complete, uniform coverage, inspects output for defects, and maintains all painting equipment and the paint booth environment to company standards. This role requires strong attention to detail, a safety-first mindset, and the mechanical aptitude to troubleshoot equipment issues and perform corrective action with minimal supervision.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Paint Operations

- Select paint for proper color match and load into the spray hopper.

- Activate conveyor, flow current, and powder coat spray equipment via switches and control panels.

- Set and adjust pressure valves, gauges, and gun nozzles to control paint flow, spray width, and pattern.

- Direct spray gun onto work surfaces to achieve complete, even powder coat coverage.

- Inspect painted units in-process for runs, sags, thin coverage, or missed areas.

- Readjust pressure valves and nozzle settings to correct coating defects immediately.

- Perform all paint rework operations; minimize rework and scrap generation.

- Reach out to paint suppliers and paint equipment suppliers as needed to troubleshoot issues.

Process Documentation & Quality

- Record and log process parameters including powder delivery pressure, atomization pressure, deflector and sieve sizes, venturi replacement schedule, and conveyor line speed.

- Monitor coating quality throughout the shift and escalate systemic issues to supervision.

- Apply feedback from quality inspections to continuously improve first-pass yield.

- Monitor mil thickness with the dry powder gauge.

- Perform an inventory of paint powder each week and report to the supervisor.

Equipment Maintenance & Housekeeping

- Troubleshoot and resolve paint defects and equipment malfunctions in a timely manner.

- Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs on spray guns, nozzles, hoses, and spray heads.

- Clean paint booth walls, ceiling, conveyor hooks/grid, and all spray equipment on a scheduled basis and general housekeeping at the end of each shift.

- Maintain a supply of consumable paint gun parts and reorder as needed.

Safety & General

- Model and enforce a safety-first culture in all daily activities.

- Follow all applicable safety rules, regulations, PPE requirements, and Job Safety Analysis procedures.

- Support assembly operations as needed (performing Assembler II duties).

- Complete other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

Core Competencies

Technical & Role-Specific

Powder Coat Process Knowledge – Demonstrates working knowledge of electrostatic spray principles, powder coat application parameters, and cure processes. Adjusts settings proactively to maintain coating quality.

Equipment Operation & Maintenance – Operates and performs preventive maintenance on spray guns, conveyors, and paint booths. Identifies mechanical issues early and takes corrective action.

Quality Orientation – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness in inspecting finished units. Looks for ways to improve first-pass quality and applies feedback to enhance performance.

Safety & Security – Consistently observes safety and security procedures. Determines appropriate action beyond posted guidelines. Reports unsafe conditions and uses all equipment and materials properly.

Blueprint & Measurement Reading – Reads and interprets work orders, process sheets, and blueprints. Accurately uses tape measures in both inch and metric units.

Professional & Behavioral

Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves paint or equipment problems in a timely manner. Gathers and analyzes process information skillfully and develops effective corrective actions.

Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities. Contributes to a positive team spirit and supports the success of fellow employees.

Dependability – Consistently present and on time. Following through on commitments; notifies supervision proactively when timelines are at risk.

Adaptability – Adjusts approach to meet changing production demands, equipment variations, or unexpected events without loss of quality or safety.

Initiative – Volunteers for additional responsibilities; seeks continuous improvement opportunities; assists others without being asked.

Professionalism – Treats all employees with respect regardless of role or status. Accepts responsibility for own actions and follows through on commitments.

Ethics – Works with integrity. Maintains confidentiality, upholds organizational values, and inspires the trust of peers and supervisors.

Cost Consciousness – Minimizes waste of paint, materials, and equipment. Contributes to cost-saving initiatives and conserves organizational resources.

Motivation – Sets and achieves production and quality goals. Demonstrates persistence in overcoming obstacles and measures personal output against a standard of excellence.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

- High school diploma or GED required.

- Prior experience in industrial painting, powder coat operations, or a production manufacturing environment.

- Familiarity with electrostatic spray equipment, conveyor paint lines, or agricultural equipment manufacturing is a plus.

Language Skills

- Ability to read and comprehend work instructions, process sheets, safety procedures, and memos written in English.

- Ability to communicate clearly with supervisors, quality personnel, and team members in one-on-one and small group settings.

Mathematical Skills

- Ability to perform basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).

- Ability to apply math to units of weight, volume, and distance in both U.S. customary and metric systems.

- Ability to read and record numerical process data accurately.

Reasoning Ability

- Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out written, oral, or diagram-based instructions.

- Ability to troubleshoot multi-variable problems within standardized process guidelines.

Technical Skills & Tools

- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, assembly drawings, and work orders.

- Ability to use tape measures accurately in inches and millimeters.

- Basic computer or tablet skills for data entry and process logging are beneficial.

Certificates, Licenses & Registrations

- No certifications are required at time of hire.

- Must complete company safety orientation and all required paint line safety training before working independently.

- Forklift certification may be required based on assignment (training provided).

Other Requirements

- Must successfully complete a pre-employment background check and drug screen per company policy.

- Must be able to work scheduled shifts, including overtime when required to meet production demands.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 100 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds.

Visual requirements: close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus to detect coating defects.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided and required.

- Regularly exposed to painting fumes and airborne powder particles (respiratory PPE required).

- Frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, conveyor systems, and industrial equipment.

- Frequently exposed to chemicals used in paint and cleaning processes.

- Exposed to extreme heat from curing ovens and vibration from production equipment.

- Noise levels are typically loud to very loud; hearing protection required.

Strength Level Classification Criteria

The Strength Level Classification Criteria of this job is established by the US Department of Labor:

Level4: Heavy Work - Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly.

Safety Rules and Regulations

All Safety Rules and Regulations will be followed. Those specifically associated with this job are:

03.44.01 General Safety Rules and Regulations

03.44.02 Lifting

03.44.03 Forklift

03.44.06 Hand and Power Tools

03.44.07 Housekeeping

03.44.08 PPE

03.44.10 Machinery and Equipment

03.44.14 Paint Line Operation

03.44.15 Assembling

03.44.16 Crating and Packaging

03.44.17 Shipping and Receiving

03.44.18 Painting

03.44.19 Bagging and Boxing

03.44.20 Hoists

Job Safety Analysis

The safety committee conducts surveys and develops Job Safety Analysis for all company jobs. The JSA specifically for this job is:

03.46.06 Line Hanging/Shot Blaster

03.46.07 Parts Blow-off

03.46.08 Painting

03.46.09 Bagging and Boxing

03.46.10 Assembly

03.46.11 Crating and Packaging

03.46.14 Shipping and Receiving

Reporting

The Painter reports to the Assembly Foreman.

Responsibilities

The company reserves the right to review and make changes to this policy and all other policies as deemed necessary.