Manufacturing ​/ Production Operator, Machine Operator

Description

The Plant Operator is responsible for the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of plant equipment and processes to support production goals. This position monitors and controls operating conditions, performs routine inspections, troubleshoots process issues, and ensures compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards.

• Fills and charges precipitators with pregnant liquor and seed hydrate, operates top floor of hydrate classification and washing system, empties precipitators and clean precipitators bottoms and pump screen boxes.
• Monitors performance of hydro cyclones on tanks T3, T4, T5, AG5, AG6, wash tanks 90, 117, 64, and 77.
• Empties continuous precipitators, classifiers, or other auxiliary equipment.
• Operates tertiary thickeners and seed washing facilities and assists in the operation of the classification system.
• Monitors performance of classifier tanks at the end of the A and B trains and even and odd trains.
• Places various tanks on turnaround.
• Operates pumps, valves, and cleans screens to move underflow from primary thickeners to hydrate wash tanks and underflow from wash tanks to hi-tanks in Calcination. Maintains proper hydrate level in wash tanks and hi-tanks, or direct to filters.
• Monitor DCS system and make appropriate adjustments.
• Operates precipitator draw off valves and pumps to transfer the contest of the precipitator to the primary feed tanks as directed by Precipitation Control Operator.
• Measures inventories and maintains level of seed hydrate in primary and secondary thickeners and seed storage tanks and transmits information of the Control Operator.
• Contacts Control Operator for seed charges. Plans the route of the seed charge and sets and seed charge lines and valves and adds seed charge to the tanks.
• Makes routine repairs and adjustments as required, such as dropping and replacing precipitator bottoms, screen box covers, check air lifts and lines, and packing pumps and valves, Oils and greases valves and valve stems.
• Checks equipment and pumps for proper operation, switches, pumps, adjust packings. Packs pumps and glands as required. Oils and greases valves and valve stems and pumps. Checks and resets breakers in motor control center.
• Operates pumps, valves, and cleans screens to move underflow from primary thickeners to hydrate wash tanks and underflow from wash tanks to hi-tanks in Calcination. Maintains proper hydrate level in wash tanks and hi-tanks, or direct to filters.
• Adjust, regulates and operates seed washing facilities such as drum filters, repulpers, sprays, dissolvers and agitators. Takes samples and makes simple tests such as soda content.
• Removes tanks from service and places them on turnaround. This involves shutting down pump‑around pumps, using the circulating pump to transfer slurry. Placing overflow dams, and also reaming out tank bottoms to inject air in certain cases.
• Operates injection liquor system. Maintains proper level in wash liquor tanks.
• Transfers hydrate product to and from storage tanks.
• Routes material from primary feed tanks to primary thickeners. Operates primary feed pumps and primary feed tanks to primary thickeners. Operates primary feed pumps and primary feed tank agitators.
• Shuts down, drains, and tags out all equipment as required for maintenance work.
• Keeps working area in clean and orderly condition.
• Use polymers and flocculants (transfer tanks and products)
• Monitor proper operation, troubleshoot, isolation of water softeners.
• Performs those production adjustment and repair functions that do not require specialized craft skill.

Candidates for this position are required to successfully complete job-related testing and assessments to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, abilities, and qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the role. Successful completion of all required testing is a condition of employment.

• Must be able to lift/push/pull at least 45 lbs.
• Must be able to climb, crouch, stoop, bend, and squat, frequently.
• Must be able to stand and walk constantly/continuously.
• Must be able to balance constantly/continuously.
• Must be able to kneel occasionally.
• Must possess the ability to carry and utilize all required personal protective equipment
• Ability to understand and communicate verbally, in person and over two‑way radio.

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret information. Ability to write reports and basics business correspondence. Ability to…