Production Worker

POSITION:    Production Worker

                        Alabama Industries for the Blind, Talladega, Alabama

ABOUT ALABAMA INSTITUTE FOR DEAF AND BLIND (AIDB)

Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) is the world’s most comprehensive education, rehabilitation, and service program serving individuals of all ages who are Deaf, Blind, Deaf Blind, multidisabled, and their families. Founded in 1858, AIDB serves more than 30,000 infants, toddlers, children, adults, and senior citizens with hearing and vision loss throughout Alabama each year. Our services span a lifetime and include five campuses in Talladega, a statewide network of regional centers, Early Intervention services, traditional and nontraditional educational opportunities in residential, day, and outreach settings, and a manufacturing facility known as Alabama Industries for the Blind (AIB), the state’s largest employer of adults who are Blind. AIDB’s three K-12 schools — Alabama School for the Blind, Alabama School for the Deaf, and Helen Keller School of Alabama — provide specialized educational services that empower students to achieve their full potential. Our employees are among the organization’s most valuable assets and resources. We share a commitment to leveling the playing field for all. Our mission makes AIDB a unique place to work.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Production Worker role will be responsible for various production assignments to meet goals related to the manufacturing operations for Alabama Industries for the Blind (AIB). 

ABOUT YOU

You will play a vital role in the manufacturing operations as you will be a part of the AIDB team in producing high quality work. This position reports to the Manufacturing Production Supervisor. 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Complete work skills assessment to demonstrate the ability to perform essential productions to become effective within the role by performing production assignments.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience working with individuals who are Deaf, Blind, DeafBlind, multidisabled, or have other significant disabilities.

• High School Diploma or GED

• Enrollment in AIDB Educational and/or Rehabilitation Program to allow for work experience.

• Three (3) months of work experience operating a sewing machine or production equipment in a manufacturing environment.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Skills & Physical Demands

• Technical Proficiency:  Basic understanding of manufacturing and production processes by following work assignment instructions and committed to product quality.

• Technical Knowledge:  Learn and adapt to different production processes.

• Physical Capability: Stand and walk for extended lengths of time, sit for extended lengths of time, repetitive tasks efficiently.

Process Monitoring & Quality Control

• Production Training:  Participate in training to gain a basic understanding of manufacturing and production processes on various production lines.  This could include sewing operations of single needle or programmable machine, thread needles, change bobbins, align material, control pedal, and operate machinery, inspection of product, kitting assignments, or packaging of products. 

• Production Assignments: Maintain continuous work assignments and converting raw material into finished products in line with production schedules and quality standards.

• Screen Print Assignments:  Responsible for supporting the production of decorated apparel through screen printing, load and unload garments onto screen printing equipment, inspect design placement and identify non-conforming products in accordance with quality standards, fold, count, package and prepare finished products for shipping. 

• Janitorial Assignments: Maintain a clean, safe and sanitary production environment in accordance with housekeeping standards and free of hazards accurately and on time.  Respond promptly to cleaning requests and emergency spills.

• Quality Assurance: Maintain acceptable levels of quality relative to all products. 

• Cross-Training & Flexibility: Cross-train on multiple production lines. 

• Process Improvement: Monitor machine performance and report equipment malfunctions or abnormalities to the supervisor or mechanic, perform work assignments to maintain production efficiency to obtain production goals and eliminate any downtime.

   

Compliance, Professionalism & Safety

• Regulatory Compliance: Understand, support, and follow the mission of the AbilityOne Program by remaining in compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements set forth in the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act. Conduct all business ethically and lawfully.

• Professional Attributes: Display organizational skills and the ability to exercise good judgment, and demonstrate a high level of integrity, confidentiality, and a good attendance record. Deal pleasantly and courteously with all of the AIDB Team.

• Safety & First Aid: Comply with all safety requirements. 

• Cultural Sensitivity: Possess or develop an understanding of cultures and needs of persons who are deaf, blind, or deaf/blind, ensuring all actions and decisions demonstrate a respect for and value of persons with sensory loss. Attend Disability Sensitivity Training within the first six (6) months of employment.

SALARY:      $11.08 - $13.12        Scale IB Rank 00

The work schedule is based on 8 hours each day with a total of 40 hours each work week.  This is not an exempt position, and is subject to overtime of the Fair Labor Standards Act. 

AIDB Benefits Summary:

The annual employment period will be 260 days to include AIDB Benefits as established by the President and the Board of Trustees.

• Teachers’ Retirement System https://www.rsa-al.gov/trs/

• Supplemental Retirement Programs (RSA-1 and TIAA-CREF)

• Public Education Employees’ Health Insurance Plan https://www.rsa-al.gov/peehip/

• Term Life Insurance

• Leave Policy (Annual Leave, Sick Leave, Personal Leave & Paid Holidays)

• Employee Assistance Services Program

• Focus on Upward Mobility Program

• On-Site Daycare