Entry Level Operator

Austin Powder•Midway, TN

About The Position

The Entry Level Operator is responsible for the safe, reliable, and environmentally compliant loading of anhydrous ammonia, ANSOL, and nitric acid trucks and railcars. The role includes maintaining housekeeping and organization in loading, storage, waste-containment, and connex areas; assisting with plant-wide general labor; maintaining and using required PPE; and supporting sampling and other plant operations tasks. Operators move railcars and waste totes, operate the shuttle wagon, inspect the railyard, complete loading paperwork and placarding in accordance with DOT guidelines, clean and fuel operations vehicles and golf carts, and complete qualification packets within allotted timeframes. As qualifications expand, the operator supports utility and plant operations, including startup and shutdown, process monitoring and adjustments, sampling and testing, log and checklist completion, water-quality monitoring, sump pumping, and environmental compliance. Duties also include writing permitted safe-work documents within the specified utility-area limits, performing lockout/tagout responsibilities where qualified, marking up P&IDs, identifying and addressing hazards, maintaining qualification credentials, and completing end-of-shift turnovers. The operator may use DCS, local controls, or semi-automatic equipment; monitor process indicators; record readings and test results; troubleshoot process upsets; and assist with emergency response and on-the-job training as directed by supervisory personnel. This is a safety-sensitive position. Employees must disclose to Human Resources the use of prescription medications that may affect their ability to perform essential job functions safely. Austin Powder is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and participates in E-Verify.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 21 years of age and one of the following: an associate degree, military service, or two years of manufacturing experience.
Knowledge or experience with utility and plant startup/shutdown processes, alarms and trips, environmental limits, process parameters, deviations, and troubleshooting, as applicable to qualifications.
Knowledge and understanding of SOCLs, SOPs, SDSs, and P&IDs; ability to access and use them.
Ability to monitor and operate process operations using a DCS, local controls, or semi-automatic equipment.
Understanding of basic mechanics, fluid flow, chemistry, production and processing, quality control, and safe handling and disposal of chemicals.
Ability to investigate and troubleshoot process upsets and take corrective action; conduct tests and inspections; and use logic and judgment to evaluate solutions.
Ability to read and understand work-related documents, write effectively, communicate orally, listen actively, and perform basic arithmetic and rudimentary algebra.
Ability to recognize hazards and potential process problems, maintain attention, follow rules and sequences, and adjust machine or vehicle controls precisely.
Ability to work at heights, navigate ladders and stairs, lift 50 pounds without assistance, and operate field valves and other controls.
Ability to meet physical requirements for wearing OSHA- or USN-mandated PPE.
Ability to participate in emergency response, including HAZMAT, confined-space rescue, first aid, and incipient fire brigade activities.
As a safety-sensitive employee, disclose prescription medication use that may affect the safe performance of essential job functions to Human Resources.

Responsibilities

Safely and reliably load anhydrous ammonia, ANSOL, and nitric acid trucks and railcars in an environmentally compliant manner.
Maintain housekeeping and organization in loading, storage, waste-containment, and connex areas, and assist with plant-wide housekeeping and general labor.
Wear required PPE and keep it clean and ready for use.
Blow down ammonia bullets before lab sampling.
Move railcars and operate the shuttle wagon; inspect the railyard each shift to ensure cars are parked and secured and signage and derails are in place.
Complete loading paperwork and placarding in accordance with DOT guidelines.
Move waste totes and assist with tank sampling and other BPO tasks.
Clean and fuel operations vehicles and golf carts.
Complete qualification packets within the allotted time and maintain qualifications and credentials for areas qualified to operate.
Assist with painting plant items and replacing deteriorated signs, labels, and line markings.
Perform qualified lockout/tagout responsibilities and write safe-work permits in the utility area for work that does not involve confined spaces, excavation, or hot work.
Perform water sampling and testing, pump storage-area sumps according to water quality, and test sumps and containments and handle water accordingly.
Complete specified OSBL, utility, cooling-tower, effluent-pond, outside-operator, and board-operator logs, reports, and checklists, recording and analyzing readings on time.
Monitor, start up, shut down, and adjust utility and plant processes and equipment; make adjustments to maintain specifications and maximize plant efficiency.
Monitor instruments, flow meters, panel lights, alarms, trips, and other indicators; record operating data and process parameters and take corrective action for deviations.
Draw product samples and conduct quality-control tests; interpret laboratory data and chemical-process conditions to support adjustments.
Troubleshoot process upsets, respond to emergencies, and operate emergency systems to initiate emergency response and make announcements over the radio and plant intercom when needed.
Use and understand SOCLs, SOPs, SDSs, and P&IDs; mark up P&IDs, apply lockouts, and write work requests.
Identify hazards and take appropriate corrective measures or barricade hazards with warning signage; maintain clean and orderly work areas, including control rooms and control stations.
Communicate safety, efficiency, product-quality, process, and ongoing-work issues to technical and supervisory personnel; provide a thorough end-of-shift turnover.
Assist with on-the-job training of other operators working toward qualifications, as directed by supervisory personnel.
Work or assist in any plant area as directed by supervisory personnel.
Participate in emergency response activities, including HAZMAT, confined-space rescue, first aid, and the incipient fire brigade, as required.