Plant Operator

Airgas • Hopewell, VA

15h • Onsite

About The Position

Airgas is seeking a reliable and hardworking Plant Operator to join its production team in Hopewell, Virginia. The role focuses on safely and efficiently loading, weighing, and packaging dry ice products—including blocks, pellets, and slices—according to customer orders and company quality standards. The operator inspects finished products for weight, density, and packaging integrity; uses production machinery and material-handling equipment; and accurately records production, shipping, and inventory information. The position also involves keeping the facility clean and organized to support a safe working environment.

The work takes place in an unconditioned facility that can be warm in summer and cool in winter. Employees may encounter moving mechanical parts, noise, and elevated but safe levels of CO2 vapor. Personal protective equipment is required, including a hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, safety shoes, and gloves when handling dry ice. Shift work is required. Physical duties include routinely lifting and manipulating dry ice blocks weighing 5–60 pounds and may involve standing, stooping, crouching, or bending.

Airgas describes a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance, along with retirement savings, paid leave, tuition assistance, and other programs. Benefits begin after 30 days of employment, according to the posting.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rates, ratios, commissions, proportions, and percentages.
• Must be able to routinely lift and manipulate dry ice blocks weighing 5–60 pounds.
• Must be able to perform work that may involve standing, stooping, crouching, or bending.
• Must be able to function safely in a noisy environment with elevated but safe levels of CO2 vapor and follow PPE requirements.

Nice To Haves

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) preferred.
• One year of experience in a production or manufacturing environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Load, weigh, and package dry ice products in various forms and containers according to customer orders.
• Inspect finished products to ensure they meet quality standards for weight, density, and packaging integrity.
• Operate production machinery and material-handling equipment, such as forklifts or pallet jacks, safely and efficiently.
• Accurately record production numbers, shipping manifests, and inventory usage.
• Maintain facility cleanliness and organization to support a safe working environment.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Pre-tax commuter transportation benefit.
• Parental leave, including up to 14 weeks of paid childbirth benefits.
• Vacation, sick time, floating holidays, jury duty and funeral/bereavement leave, and paid holidays for eligible full-time employees.
• 401(k) plan with company matching funds.
• Tuition assistance or reimbursement.
• Discounted college tuition for eligible employees’ dependents.
• Airgas Scholarship Program for dependent children.
• Benefits begin after 30 days of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed