Lead Plant Operator - Renewable Natural Gas (Burlington)

Opal Fuels•Florence Township, NJ

8h•$38 - $44•Onsite

About The Position

OPAL Fuels is hiring a Lead Plant Operator for its Burlington Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) site in Florence Township, New Jersey. The facility is under construction and is expected to start up in March 2027. The role directs and supervises day-to-day facility activities, sharing accountability for site operations with the Area Manager and leading the site alongside another operator. The goals are to maximize production and minimize downtime while prioritizing safety, cleanliness, and environmental compliance. The anticipated start is by mid-January, initially working with the construction and commissioning team to start up the site. The Lead Plant Operator operates, adjusts, and repairs equipment to support safe, environmentally compliant plant production. The role includes coordinating maintenance and vendors, scheduling operators and outage events, managing inventory and preventive maintenance, keeping accurate operating records, responding to callouts, and maintaining safe, clean plant conditions. Operators work 40–50 hours per week based on operational needs, plant performance, and staffing. Schedules may include 5 eight-hour shifts, 4 ten-hour shifts, or 12-hour shifts on a 2-on/2-off rotation. Occasional night shifts and weekends are required, along with participation in rolling callout schedules requiring 24/7 availability during the assigned seven-day period. The position involves driving a motorized vehicle and operating an ATV; using hand and power tools, cranes, and test or diagnostic equipment; typing; lifting 10–50 pounds; and occasional walking on irregular surfaces, stooping, kneeling, climbing, or crouching. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

Seven or more years of renewable gas production industry experience is preferred.
Skilled in recordkeeping and logging.
General troubleshooting ability.
Computer skills, including Microsoft Office.
Good mechanical skills and mechanical/basic electrical knowledge or troubleshooting experience.
Self-motivated and able to perform most tasks with little or no supervision.
Working knowledge of pressure, vacuum, and flow.
Experience with pumps, blowers, or air compressors.
Current, valid, unrestricted driver’s license.
Ability to work 40–50 hours per week according to operational needs and staffing, including occasional night shifts and weekends.
Ability to participate in rolling callout schedules requiring 24/7 availability during the assigned seven-day period.
Ability to meet the physical requirements of the position, including moderate lifting of 10–50 pounds and occasional stooping, kneeling, climbing, crouching, and walking on irregular surfaces.

Nice To Haves

Basic electrical knowledge.
Heavy equipment operations experience, including gas turbine and gas compressor operations and maintenance (O&M).
Fabrication and basic process knowledge.

Responsibilities

Direct and supervise day-to-day activities at the RNG facility, sharing accountability for site operations with the Area Manager.
Lead site operations with another operator to maximize production and minimize downtime while maintaining safety, cleanliness, and environmental compliance.
Work with the construction and commissioning team to start up the site.
Review lockout/tagout (LOTO) and job hazard analyses (JHAs), and raise safety concerns to upper management.
Prepare monthly environmental reporting; monitor landfill gas composition, including H2S treatment and media sampling; review compliance procedures and ensure compliance.
Coordinate maintenance tasks with management and operators, and work with third-party vendors to ensure timely, efficient service.
Schedule operators and plan outage events; manage the callout roster, respond to callouts, and cover operator shifts when necessary.
Tune and adjust the plant to meet production and efficiency needs.
Manage inventory and the preventive maintenance program.
Operate and monitor blowers, gas pretreatment, chillers, CO2 removal, N2 removal, O2 removal, and compression equipment.
Ensure operators maintain detailed records of production data, equipment operating hours, service schedules, and equipment outages.
Inspect operating equipment daily, including flow meters, gas chromatographs, fluid levels, pressure and temperature readings, and unusual noises; correct conditions before failure occurs.
Perform maintenance and repairs, including oil and filter changes and replacement or adjustment of drive belts, hoses, valves, compressor filters, slide valves, couplings, and bearings; participate in preventive maintenance outages and overhauls.
Maintain cleanliness and presentation of the plant, equipment, grounds, and floors; clean up spills immediately.
Keep on-site parts and supplies stocked and organized, and maintain plant inventory.
Respond to callouts promptly and identify and correct their causes; contact the plant manager for assistance when a problem cannot be corrected or diagnosed.
Maintain a strong safety focus, ensure lighting is functional, address slip, trip, electrical, and mechanical hazards, and verify that visitors, mechanics, and contractors follow safe work practices.
Perform other duties as assigned.