plant operator

maintenance mechanic

laboratory analyst

maintenance electrician

senior project engineer

Gopher Resource, LLC

Poorly managed. Advertised by management as perhaps something they would hope it could be, but for now, sadly not. Safety is only existent when convenient. Most OSHA regulations are not adhered to even by management. Hygiene section is poorly led. The support they are there to offer consistently goes unchecked and incomplete. Initial orientation paints a totally different picture than what you find with regards to training, lean practices, safety, opportunity for advancement and quality of benefits. Compensation is well below average for comparable work in similar industries. Employees often have to work overtime to compensate for the low hourly wage. Non-management maintenance personnel have been working with only one day off a week for over a year. This doesn't even consider the poisonous environment that employees work in, wearing a respirator at all times while in the plant.

A typical day at work is eight hours shift, five days A week. The things I learn while working at Gopher Resource is machinery operations, such as how to drive and operate industrial equipment. From A Front-End-loader, High Reach, Scissor Lift,and Fork Lift. Management was fairly  good most of the time, with some minor problems. The co-workers are cool and fun to work around at times, but you will always have them few that just get on your nerves. But you just have to throw that problem in the back of your head and just keep moving on with your job. The hardest part of the job was not the job itself but the heat we have to work in, Your get accumulated to the heat.Working with good employees, the knowledge I pick up from the company.

This is a good paying job with very minimal education, or experience necessary. However, it's a industry most can't last in, we are lucky if 25% of our new hires decide to stay. Its hard work in extreme heat conditions. Trainers and fellow operators are really good people, and most will do whatever they can to help you succeed. I would recommend anyone at least try and give the place a shot, if you can handle it, you will have a decent union job. However, due note that management is currently pushing for 12 hour days instead of 8, and in our work environment is a huge deal, and is not a good thing. 

While I work at Gopher Resources Tampa, it was one of the worst jobs I have ever worked. Leadership begins at the top, so the corruption and unfairness began at the top and lead its way through-out the entire company. The supervisors and leadman are horrible. Most, not all, care nothing about their co-laborers and treat their subordinates unfair unless you are their buddy. Gopher Resources Tampa employs supervisors who have no experience and do not know what to do. The opportunity is slim especially is you are not friends with the supervisors. Its a dog-eat-dog world at Gopher. Definitely do not let it be a permanent stop for a job.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Team building, Good working vibe throughout the plant. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The heat inside the plant around the kettles

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Very friendly, but a very fast pace.  At times there's some down time due to Rebuilds of certain areas of the plant.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Always different and sometimes very demanding according to what equipment may be down at the moment. Once all or most of the equipment is up and running my day becomes very relaxing.

Work-life balance
The company is safety driven but is also highly production driven which creates a conflict of interest for the hourly employees.  Supervisiors selectively inforce the safety rules.

Pay & benefits
3 sick days per year but you only get them after working 1 full calendar year.  If you start in January  you won't recieve sick days for nearly 2 years!

Overall
Good pay, but you work in a very hot environment and the work is very physical.  You are exposed to dangerous chemicals and heavy metals on a daily basis.  The health insurance is terribly disappointing for the price you pay.  Decent 401k match and 7 paid holidays after joining the union.

Hard workers gets rewarded with more work. They will use you until they no longer need you. Turn around at the place is very high, hence the big "now hiring" sign that will still be there for years to come. Pay seems nice until summer comes then these new hires will know what heat stroke feels like especially when you get mandatory overtime because of seniority. Lead poisoning along with dangerous poisonous chemicals and explosive chemicals. Btw management don't care about you! Don't believe me? come and find out! The goods...coffee is now free! Yay!

Very toxic environment to work (LEAD), constant company blood test, they conduct. If your lead count is low you get a BONUS, but that doesn't happen because they control who gets good blood numbers. On top of all the other unsafe people willing to put your life in harms way, the management have there little buddies that they give the simple task and if you are not one of them you do all the work. Please be informed that you will work over 1600-2000 degree molting lead.

The management makes decisions with doing research or it would seem. A typical start of the day they give us the day to day operations from while we were off. My coworkers are the life blood of the company and the most enjoyable part of my experience working there, especially my mentors. There are so many occupational hazards that come with it, but it is expected in that type of company.

the pay is decent, but for what it is, you are sacrificing your health, personal life, and safety for a company that treats you like a replaceable cog in the wheel. it is extremely hot, over 115 degrees in the summertime with little escape from the heat. heat exhaustion and heat stroke are not uncommon, nor are injuries and trips to the hospital. the management puts profit over people, and takes no responsibility for the state of the plant itself.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Plant operator 26 salaries reported	$31.11 per hour
Maintenance mechanic 22 salaries reported	$46.97 per hour
Laboratory analyst 4 salaries reported	$32.02 per hour
Maintenance electrician 8 salaries reported	$51.89 per hour
Senior project engineer 8 salaries reported	$127,084 per year

Working at Gopher Resource, LLC: Company Overview and Reviews

Gopher Resource, LLC

Gopher Resource, LLC Ratings

Popular jobs at Gopher Resource, LLC

Salary Satisfaction

Job Seeker Tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected