Overview
The Plant Operator performs the day-to-day operations of the Kingsbury Bioenergy Complex in La Porte, IN including plant operations, first line operations maintenance activities, and managing the site safety systems. The position requires monitoring the plant performance by managing individual equipment and systems within the operating areas, monitoring and managing outside safety systems, sampling of operating systems and in-process products, and general operations activities including routine rounds and readings of all outside operations.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
· Ensuring the plant is operating within its parameters while complying with Health, Safety, and Environmental rules and regulations as well as company policies and procedures.
· Personally responsible and accountable for individually following environmental, health and safety rules and regulations; contributes to ensuring the safety of the team.
· Under the direction of the Plant Manager and/or Lead Operator, employee will be required to perform the duties necessary to ensure the following are completed:
- All tasks and documentation for the assigned work.
- Non-routine work tasks assigned by Plant Manager.
· Communicates plant concerns and proposes corrective/contingency plans to Plant Manager.
· Maintains any necessary logbooks in a clear, concise, complete, and legible manner.
· Assists in training new or advancing operators in day-to-day job functions and general operations principles in accordance with written training policies and procedures.
· Conducts sampling and analysis of product, by-products and intermediates for quality control/treatment requirements.
· Performs tasks, including operation of plant equipment and monitoring/management of individual equipment.
· Performs tasks, including periodic operation of mobile equipment including forklifts, skid steers, and front-end loaders.
· Prepares work requests to document potentially unsafe, inefficient, environmentally unfriendly, or inoperable equipment.
· Carry out first line operations maintenance duties when required to keep the plant running smoothly.
· Assist in maintenance activities as needed including inspection rounds and readings from board position.
Timing & Employment Status
· Available to start by 01-Sep-26
· FLSA Status: non-exempt
Qualifications
Experience & Education
· Minimum high school diploma or GED. Process Plant Technology Degree preferred
· 3+ years industrial plant operating experience
· 2+ years in anaerobic digestion, gas processing, solids handling and solids processing, wastewater treatment, or related industries
· Prior experience in process plant operations highly desirable
· Prior experience with mobile equipment operation (forklift, aerial lift, telehandler, front-end loader etc.) highly desirable
Certification
· OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification preferred.
Skills & Competencies
· Good written and verbal communication skills
· Basic computer skills including Word and Excel
· Willingness and ability to take direction and give input to Lead Operator and/or Plant Manager
· Team oriented (e.g. ability to contribute as a team member through a positive “can-do” attitude).
· Versatility and willingness to perform multiple tasks across a variety of skill sets as needed.
· Some knowledge of industrial plant operations including basic chemistry principles, and familiarity with typical plant operations and safety documentation (e.g. Procedures, Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams, Material Safety Data)
· A background in troubleshooting process unit operations.
· Competency in Distributed Control Systems (DCS) operation preferred.
· Experience with operation of plant equipment (e.g. process pumps, motors, belt drives, gearboxes, valves and compressors).
Working Conditions and Requirements
· Rotating shift work with 12-hour typical duration
· Available for call-out as needed and willingness to work overtime as required.
· Required to use a respirator, safety harness, and other personal protective equipment.
· Regular exposure to heavy industrial equipment.
· Frequently moves objects weighing up to 50 pounds across work area
· Regularly stands and walks but must be capable of maintaining a stationary position up to 50% of the time
· Frequently needs to be able to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
· Ability to monitor control screens and respond appropriately over standard 12 hour shifts while managing and limiting distractions.
Pay: $18.00 - $22.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
