Job Overview
The Batch Plant Operator in a prestressed concrete manufacturing facility is responsible for operating and maintaining the concrete batch plant to produce high-quality concrete mixes for prestressed and precast concrete products. This role involves mixing concrete according to precise specifications, monitoring equipment, and ensuring timely delivery of concrete to production areas while adhering to safety protocols under general supervision.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Batch Plant Operation: Operate the concrete batch plant control systems to mix concrete, ensuring accurate proportions of cement, aggregates, water, and admixtures based on mix designs for prestressed concrete products (e.g., low-slump or high-strength mixes).
- Material Management: Monitor and manage raw material inventory, including cement, sand, gravel, and admixtures, to ensure adequate supply for production. Coordinate with material handlers for timely replenishment.
- Quality Control Support: Perform basic quality checks on concrete mixes, such as slump tests or visual inspections, to ensure compliance with specifications (e.g., ACI or PCI standards). Report any deviations to quality control technicians.
- Equipment Maintenance: Conduct pre- and post-operation inspections of batch plant equipment, including mixers, conveyors, and silos. Perform minor maintenance tasks like cleaning, lubricating, or reporting issues such as blockages or mechanical failures.
- Concrete Delivery Coordination: Coordinate with equipment operators (e.g., Tuckerbilt T630 or truck operators) to ensure timely and accurate delivery of concrete to forms or production areas, minimizing delays.
- Safety Compliance: Adhere to all occupational safety and hazard procedures, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, gloves, and dust masks. Maintain a safe working environment around the batch plant.
- Record Keeping: Maintain accurate records of batch production, including mix designs used, material quantities, and any issues encountered. Submit reports to supervisors as required.
- Team Collaboration: Work closely with production teams, quality control technicians, and equipment operators to support production schedules and ensure consistent concrete quality.
- Reporting of lost concrete yards: Documenting the amount lost and the specific cause (mix too wet, too dry, incorrect moisture mechanical failure, transportation delay, etc.). This helps identify trends and reduces future losses.
- Inventory Tracking: Collecting, digitalizing, and submitting aggregate delivery tickets to the main office each day. This step is crucial for maintaining accurate inventory tracking materials consumed.
- Coordination with Team: Maintaining continuous coordination with Quality Control, Tuckerbilt, front loader and the maintenance team, ensuring real-time communication throughout production to prevent delays or material shortages.
- End of Day: Verifying that maintenance completes end-of daycleaning on the batch plant, mixer and aggregate handling areas, ensuring the plant is clean, safe, and fully prepared for the next day of operations.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Technical Knowledge: Understanding of concrete batch plant operations, including control systems and mix design principles. Familiarity with prestressed/precast concrete requirements and industry standards (e.g., ACI, ASTM, or PCI).
- Operational Skills: Ability to operate batch plant control panels, adjust mix proportions, and troubleshoot minor equipment issues. Knowledge of concrete properties, such as workability and curing requirements.
- Physical Stamina: Ability to work in a physically demanding environment, including standing, climbing ladders to access equipment, and working in conditions with exposure to dust, noise, and varying temperatures.
- Safety Awareness: Strong understanding of occupational hazards, including dust exposure and equipment risks, and ability to follow safety protocols to ensure a safe batch plant operation.
- Work Ethic: Reliability, attention to detail, and a positive attitude. Ability to work independently or collaboratively in a fast-paced production environment.
- Preferred Skills: Experience with automated batch plant systems, basic mechanical repair skills, or familiarity with concrete testing procedures is a plus.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Environment: Work is performed in a manufacturing plant, primarily at the batch plant, with exposure to dust, noise, heat, cold, and potential chemical hazards from admixtures.
- Physical Demands: Requires moderate physical effort, including standing, climbing, and occasional lifting of up to 50 lbs. Tasks may involve working in confined spaces or at heights (e.g., accessing silos).
- Schedule: Typically full-time, with possible overtime or occasional weekend shifts (e.g., one Saturday per month). Schedules may vary based on production demands.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: High school diploma or equivalent preferred but not mandatory.
- Experience: Prior experience operating a concrete batch plant or working in concrete manufacturing is preferred. Experience in construction or prestressed concrete production is advantageous but not required. On-the-job training is provided.
- Certifications: Certifications such as ACI Concrete Field-Testing Technician or NRMCA Concrete Batch Plant Operator are preferred but not mandatory. OSHA safety training is a plus.
CAREER PATH
Batch Plant Operators can advance to roles such as Batch Plant Supervisor, Production Foreman, or Quality Control Technician by gaining experience, developing technical skills, and obtaining advanced certifications like ACI Concrete Strength Testing Technician or PCI Level I/II certifications for prestressed concrete processes.
Pay: From $17.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
