Plant Operator, Operations & Maintenance

Oberon Fuels•Brawley, CA

13d•$24 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

Oberon Fuels is a renewable products company focused on producing low-carbon molecules—including renewable dimethyl ether (DME), methanol, natural gas, and hydrogen—from waste-based and renewable feedstocks. Using proprietary technology, Oberon converts biogenic and recycled carbon sources into clean-burning fuels and sustainable chemical products for transportation, power generation, industrial, and aerosol applications. By transforming waste into high-value renewable molecules, Oberon helps companies decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors while maintaining compatibility with existing infrastructure. Our renewable DME provides a practical pathway to decarbonize propellant applications, LPG and deliver renewable hydrogen, while our renewable methanol serves as a drop-in replacement for existing methanol applications and emerging low-carbon fuel markets. With the world’s first commercial-scale renewable DME plant and a growing pipeline of projects capable of producing hundreds of millions of gallons per year, Oberon is helping accelerate the transition to a circular, low-carbon economy. Our approach is built on a vision of local feedstock, local production, and local consumption—creating jobs, strengthening communities, and turning waste into value.

Requirements

Previous experience in Operations and Maintenance of chemical plants or similar industrial plants is preferred, but not required.
Basic Microsoft Excel & Word Skills.
Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
High school graduate (GED equivalency) with working knowledge of plant operations, maintenance, and an ability to perform repairs as needed.
Grit, Adaptable, Collaborative, Purpose Driven, Sense of Humor.
Entrepreneurial attitude, goal driven, results focused.
Exhibits bias towards action with strength in execution.
Dynamic, creative, and smart leader with energy and vision.
Self-motivated, positive thinker.
Team oriented with a priority on organizational goals, motivated by accomplishments.
Skilled at problem analysis and problem resolution at both a strategic and functional level.
Ability to grasp issues in a dynamic start up environment and organize activities to quickly achieve desired outcomes.
Exert force of 100-150 pounds occasionally, 50-75 pounds frequently, or up to 10 pounds constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects.
Constant handling, gripping, grasping.
Frequent walking, extension of the neck upward, downward and side to side.
Occasional standing, sitting, bending, stooping, crouching, crawling, kneeling, pushing, pulling, twisting at the waist, fingering, typing, climbing stairs, ladders and scaffolding.
Visual acuity which could be corrected sufficiently to perform the essential functions of the position; average depth perception needed.
Effectively hear/comprehend oral instructions and communication.
Work cooperatively and interact appropriately with those contacted in the course of work, including the general public.
Utilize complex reading and math skills.
Utilize simple writing skills.
Understand, remember and carry out complex job instructions.
Respond quickly to changing situations under emergency pressures.
Communicate effectively in both oral and written manner.
Work under pressure.
Work within deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in Operations and Maintenance of chemical plants or similar industrial plants.

Responsibilities

Properly monitor and maintain all plant systems during continuous production runs and during planned idling/shutdown periods between scheduled production runs.
Learn and understand the process, read process flow diagrams, P&ID’s and process documents.
Adhere to strict safety requirements at the facility.
Be knowledgeable/well informed about the Maverick facility, MeOH to DME process parameters and the performance of appropriate operating functions at the plant.
Perform a variety of skilled technical duties and semi-skilled labor in the operations and maintenance of Oberon Fuels’ chemical production plant.
Perform adjustments and minor preventive/emergent maintenance on all plant equipment.
Monitor process controls and safe equipment operation, to include at a minimum: valving, packaging, temperature/pressure sensing, and engineering processes.
Collect and document samples, perform prescribed GC analysis and laboratory testing and document the results.
Maintain documentation and communication records using applications including ClickUp, Slack, Outlook, Word and Excel, or others as required.
Immediately report to the Senior Operator/Shift Supervisor any operating parameters or lab results which are abnormal and discuss and implement any remedial measures.
Ensure completion of the tasks assigned during the shift and provide complete handover of the plant status and activities at the shift change to incoming Plant Operator.
Perform a variety of related duties as assigned.
Maintain all required training and certifications through the Learning Management System (LMS) and company-provided programs.
Participate in on-site safety meetings, company events, and required virtual or in-person meetings.
Read and understand Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID) for startup and shutdown procedures.
Troubleshoot operational issues, determine appropriate corrective actions, and source necessary materials or escalate replacement needs as required.
Understand and use of gas sensing and detection instruments throughout the facility.
Maintain a working knowledge of and ability to operate key monitoring and analytical equipment, including gas chromatographs (GC), MSA devices, and gas detection instruments; interpret GC and water analysis reports.
Update operations logs.
Perform bi-hourly rounds monitoring of plant pressure/temperature/levels and equipment.
Perform routine repairs, and standard PM/GM of instrumentations such as motors, pumps, sensors, filters, gauges, level/pressure/flow indicators, etc.
Handle hazardous chemicals under the supervision of the Shift Supervisor/Senior Operator.
Monitor & troubleshoot operating systems/equipment.
Observe gauges, dials, or other indicators/instruments to ensure equipment is working properly.
Load/unload trucks and operate equipment (e.g. forklifts).
Continuously monitor and inspect system components (valves, tanks, piping, etc.) for leak/wear.
Monitor/maintain all potable/freshwater system levels/specifications.
Understand water sample test results to confirm steps to bring to on-spec water.
Start-up/Shutdown of all equipment for testing and routine operations.
During production runs, perform operations both indoors and outdoors utilizing work-related computer and reporting systems.
Outdoor duties include manual valve actuation, leak detection, radio communications, instrument monitoring, and other duties as needed to ensure safe continuous plant operations.
Indoor duties include working knowledge of PLC for safe plant operations and producing acceptable product.
During plant operations, perform product sampling, GC analysis of samples, water sampling/testing in designated areas such as boiler, wastewater, steam condensate, pond-water etc., and loading/off-loading of raw materials and final products.
Perform general plant housekeeping, and cleanliness (e.g. painting/corrosion prevention, landscaping, power washing, litter removal, pest control, restroom/office bldg. cleaning).
Perform repairs not requiring expertise/tools of outside contractors.
Organize inventory, replenish inventory/supplies, as needed.
Perform preventive and routine maintenance.
Perform pump testing, manual rotation, and routine operational checks of standby equipment.
Handle hazardous chemicals.
Perform any related work or tasking as required for safe operations and maintenance of the plant.