Utility 1st Class-Base (UEPB) in Aiken, South Carolina at AGY Holding Corp

AGY is a highly specialized manufacturer of precision ultrafine glass fiber reinforcements used in advanced composite materials. Our products support demanding applications where strength, performance, durability, and reliability matter most.

Located in Aiken, South Carolina, our manufacturing facility produces approximately one million miles of glass fiber reinforcement each day and operates continuously, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. As an agile, flexible, small-batch manufacturer, AGY can respond to the diverse and highly technical requirements of customers throughout the world.

Our engineers, scientists, skilled tradespeople, and production employees have helped reinvent ultrafine glass fiber reinforcement manufacturing through innovative and proprietary processes. We remain committed to improving our operations while reducing our environmental impact. Many of our production processes qualify as zero-carbon-footprint activities, and the Aiken facility has reduced its overall carbon footprint by approximately 88% since 2002.

At AGY, every role contributes to the safety, reliability, and success of our operation. Our Utilities team is especially important because it maintains the critical systems that allow the entire facility to operate safely and efficiently. We are looking for skilled, dependable employees who take pride in their work, value teamwork, and are prepared to support a fast-paced, around-the-clock manufacturing environment.

AGY is seeking an experienced and mechanically skilled Utility First Class employee to perform maintenance, troubleshooting, installation, and repair work on utility equipment and systems throughout the Aiken facility.

This is a hands-on industrial maintenance position responsible for supporting the reliable operation of critical facility systems, including boilers, HVAC equipment, air compressors, steam systems, plumbing systems, natural gas and propane systems, sewage systems, fire-prevention equipment, buildings, and grounds.

The Utility First Class employee must be able to work independently, safely complete assigned projects with limited supervision, and respond effectively to equipment failures and operational needs. This individual will perform preventive and predictive maintenance, complete repairs, assist with equipment improvements, and help identify opportunities to improve system reliability and efficiency.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong mechanical aptitude, sound judgment, attention to detail, and a commitment to safe work practices. Because AGY operates continuously, this position requires flexibility to work rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, overtime, and additional hours when needed.

• Perform assigned maintenance duties within the Utilities area and throughout the manufacturing facility.

• Inspect, operate, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, overhaul, install, construct, and modify utility equipment as needed.

• Support the operation and maintenance of boiler systems, HVAC equipment, air compressors, steam systems, plumbing systems, natural gas systems, propane systems, sewage systems, and fire-prevention systems.

• Diagnose mechanical and operational problems and determine the appropriate repair or corrective action.

• Respond to equipment breakdowns and utility interruptions in a timely manner to minimize downtime and operational impact.

• Test repaired equipment and systems to confirm that they are operating safely and correctly before returning them to service.

• Assist with the installation and startup of new utility equipment and facility systems.

• Make adjustments and modifications to utility equipment when necessary to improve safety, performance, and reliability.

• Perform preventive and predictive maintenance on utility systems, facility equipment, buildings, and grounds.

• Complete scheduled inspections, testing, lubrication, adjustments, cleaning, and component replacements.

• Identify worn, damaged, or failing components before they result in equipment breakdowns.

• Document inspection findings, maintenance activities, repairs, and equipment conditions accurately and completely.

• Communicate emerging equipment concerns to the appropriate supervisor or department.

• Recommend repairs, replacement parts, or operational changes that may improve equipment reliability.

• Support efforts to reduce unplanned downtime and extend the service life of critical equipment.

• Perform maintenance and repair work on industrial heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems.

• Inspect, troubleshoot, and maintain boiler systems and associated components.

• Perform carpentry, painting, masonry, plumbing, and general building-maintenance duties as assigned.

• Repair or replace damaged building components, fixtures, piping, and related facility infrastructure.

• Assist with maintaining facility grounds and exterior areas.

• Support seasonal maintenance needs and preparation of building systems for changing weather conditions.

• Ensure utility rooms, mechanical spaces, and maintenance areas remain safe, accessible, and properly organized.

• Complete assigned maintenance and facility projects with little or no direct supervision.

• Review work requirements, gather the necessary tools and materials, and organize tasks before beginning a project.

• Work with supervisors, engineers, maintenance employees, production teams, and outside contractors to complete projects safely and efficiently.

• Identify opportunities to improve utility-system efficiency, reliability, safety, and operating cost.

• Participate in equipment upgrades, system modifications, energy-conservation projects, and other continuous-improvement activities.

• Provide practical feedback regarding equipment design, maintenance access, replacement parts, and operating challenges.

• Follow established change-management and approval processes before modifying equipment or utility systems.

• Assist with testing and evaluating equipment following repairs, installations, or process changes.

• Safely and effectively use shop tools, hand tools, power tools, measuring devices, and maintenance equipment.

• Select the appropriate tools and materials for each assignment.

• Inspect tools and equipment before use and report damaged or unsafe items.

• Maintain tools, workspaces, and equipment in clean and serviceable condition.

• Follow all lockout/tagout, confined-space, hot-work, fall-protection, and other applicable safety procedures.

• Use required personal protective equipment correctly and consistently.

• Perform all work in accordance with AGY safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

• Identify and report unsafe conditions, equipment concerns, spills, leaks, and other potential hazards.

• Stop work and seek guidance when conditions create an unacceptable safety risk.

• Maintain a clean and orderly work environment, including utility rooms, shops, storage areas, and active job sites.

• Properly store tools, equipment, materials, chemicals, and replacement parts.

• Dispose of waste materials in accordance with company procedures and environmental requirements.

• Participate in safety meetings, training programs, inspections, incident investigations, and corrective-action activities as required.

• Help promote a workplace culture centered on safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

• Accurately complete work orders, inspection records, preventive-maintenance documentation, and other required records.

• Provide clear updates regarding equipment status, completed repairs, outstanding concerns, and required follow-up work.

• Communicate effectively during shift changes to ensure unresolved issues are properly transferred to the next employee or team.

• Notify supervision promptly when equipment conditions may affect production, safety, quality, or facility operations.

• Maintain professional and cooperative working relationships with employees, supervisors, engineers, contractors, and other departments.

• Perform emergency maintenance and respond to urgent utility-system issues as required.

• Assist other maintenance employees and departments based on operational needs.

• Support production and facility operations during shutdowns, startups, severe weather events, or other unusual conditions.

• Complete required training and maintain any licenses, certifications, or qualifications associated with the position.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

• High school diploma or GED required.

• Technical certificate in industrial maintenance, HVAC, utilities, mechanical systems, or a related field preferred.

• Candidates must have either:

  • At least five years of industrial utility-maintenance experience; or

  • A degree in Industrial Maintenance with advanced HVAC education or training.

• At least one to two years of hands-on experience working with utility equipment or systems such as:

  • Industrial boilers

  • HVAC systems

  • Air compressors

  • Natural gas and propane systems

  • Steam systems

  • Sewage or wastewater systems

  • Plumbing systems

  • Fire-prevention or fire-protection systems

  • Similar industrial utility or facility equipment

• Strong mechanical aptitude and practical troubleshooting ability.

• Working knowledge of industrial utility systems and facility-maintenance practices.

• Ability to diagnose equipment issues and complete repairs safely and efficiently.

• Skilled in the use of shop tools, hand tools, power tools, and maintenance equipment.

• Ability to read and understand work orders, technical manuals, procedures, equipment instructions, and safety documentation.

• Ability to organize work, manage priorities, and complete assignments with limited supervision.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to completing quality work.

• Ability to communicate clearly with supervisors, coworkers, production employees, and contractors.

• Dependable attendance and willingness to respond to changing operational priorities.

• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team.

Candidates must achieve WorkKeys scores of at least:

• Workplace Observation: 3

• Workplace Documents: 3

• Graphic Literacy: 3

• Applied Technology: 3

This position is performed within an active industrial manufacturing facility. The employee must be physically capable of safely completing the essential duties of the position.

Requirements include the ability to:

• Push, pull, lift, carry, reach, bend, squat, twist, and turn.

• Climb stairs and ladders and work at elevated locations when properly protected.

• Work overhead and in awkward or restricted positions.

• Stand and walk for extended periods.

• Enter and work within confined spaces after completing the required training and authorization.

• Work in hot, cold, humid, noisy, dusty, or otherwise challenging industrial conditions.

• Work around moving equipment, utility systems, piping, steam, and other industrial hazards.

• Wear all required personal protective equipment, which may include safety shoes, safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, protective clothing, respiratory protection, and fall-protection equipment.

• Safely perform physically demanding maintenance work throughout the assigned shift.

• AGY operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

• This position may be assigned to a 12-hour rotating shift schedule.

• Candidates must be able to work various shifts and days of the week, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Overtime, emergency call-ins, shutdown support, and schedule changes may be required based on business and operational needs.

• Regular and dependable attendance is an essential requirement of the position.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all applicable pre-employment requirements, including:

• Background screening

• Drug screening

• WorkKeys testing

• Verification of education, experience, certifications, or other job-related qualifications

The ideal Utility First Class candidate is a dependable and safety-focused professional who takes pride in maintaining critical equipment and systems. This individual should be comfortable working independently, responding to urgent maintenance needs, and collaborating with multiple departments.

We are looking for someone who brings a positive attitude, strong work ethic, sound judgment, and a willingness to take ownership of assigned responsibilities. The right candidate will understand that reliable utility systems are essential to the safety and success of the entire operation and will approach each assignment with care, urgency, and professionalism.