Lead Thermal Operator

Republic Services•Robstown, TX

About The Position

The Lead Thermal Operator is responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of a thermal desorption unit. This role leads shift activities, monitors critical process conditions, and coordinates startup, steady-state operations, shutdowns, and responses to upsets. The position supports environmental, health, and safety compliance across the facility and serves as the on-shift technical resource for operators, ensuring production targets, quality standards, equipment reliability, and regulatory requirements are met. The Lead Thermal Operator oversees the thermal desorption unit and associated material handling systems, burners, heaters, condensers, emissions control equipment, and support utilities. The role directs and supports shift operators, monitors and adjusts process parameters, reviews trends and alarms, troubleshoots issues, and documents operations. It also promotes safe work practices, supports environmental and hazardous waste compliance, coordinates with maintenance and supervisory personnel, mentors operators, and responds to plant emergencies. Other job-related duties may be assigned in support of safe and efficient facility operations.

Requirements

Minimum 3–5 years of experience in industrial plant operations.
Experience in thermal desorption, waste treatment, remediation, oilfield waste processing, chemical processing, or similar continuous-process operations.
Strong commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and regulatory compliance.
Knowledge of industrial hazards, including hot surfaces, pressurized systems, rotating equipment, chemical exposure, fire and explosion risks, heat stress, and confined spaces.
Ability to make sound operating decisions under pressure and respond effectively to alarms, changing process conditions, and emergency situations.
Effective leadership, communication, and training skills, with the ability to direct work and reinforce operating discipline across a shift team.
Mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting capability for diagnosing process and equipment performance issues.
Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple activities, and maintain attention to detail in a fast-paced operating environment.
Ability to work independently with limited supervision while coordinating with operations, maintenance, laboratory, and management personnel.
Working knowledge of pumps, motors, conveyors, burners, heat transfer systems, valves, instrumentation, and control systems.
Experience reading gauges, trends, operating instructions, P&IDs, and basic process flow information.
Ability to use computers and handheld devices for logs, inspections, training records, and production reporting.
Must be able to complete site-specific training for hazardous waste operations, emergency response, and safe equipment operation.
Valid driver's license and ability to travel locally within the South Texas region, if needed.

Nice To Haves

Previous lead operator, senior operator, or shift leadership experience.
Forklift, loader, manlift, or similar mobile equipment experience, where applicable.

Responsibilities

Lead daily operation of the thermal desorption unit, material handling systems, burners, heaters, condensers, emissions control equipment, and support utilities in accordance with operating procedures and permit requirements.
Direct and support shift operators during startup, shutdown, changeovers, normal operations, and emergency or upset conditions.
Monitor and adjust process parameters—including temperature, feed rate, residence time, pressure, flow, and moisture conditions—to optimize throughput, product quality, and system performance.
Review process trends, alarms, and operating data; identify abnormalities; troubleshoot equipment and process issues; and implement corrective actions with maintenance, laboratory, and supervisory personnel.
Complete operating logs, shift reports, inspection rounds, production records, sampling documentation, and incident or deviation reports accurately.
Perform and verify pre-startup checks, lockout/tagout compliance, equipment isolation, line-up verification, and safe work permit requirements before maintenance or non-routine work.
Promote a strong safety culture by enforcing personal protective equipment use, safe work practices, hazard recognition, housekeeping standards, and stop-work authority.
Support environmental and hazardous waste compliance, including waste handling, labeling, storage, inspections, spill prevention, and contingency response procedures.
Coordinate with supervisors and maintenance teams on planned maintenance, equipment readiness, outage preparation, and return-to-service activities.
Train, coach, and mentor operators on standard operating procedures, troubleshooting, emergency response expectations, and proper operation of site equipment and control systems.
Participate in safety meetings, toolbox talks, audits, incident investigations, job hazard analyses, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Maintain readiness to respond to alarms, spills, fires, equipment failures, and other plant emergencies in accordance with site response plans.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned in support of safe and efficient facility operations.