Process Operator (Kwinana)

Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd; Australia; Remote; AUD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration

Discounts & rewards

Flexible work arrangements

Wellbeing program support

Parental leave & support

Salary sacrifice options

Job summary

Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd is seeking a Process Operator to oversee commissioning and ongoing operations at the Kwinana Refinery, reporting to the Process Supervisor. You will ensure safety, compliance with procedures, and maximise plant performance to meet product quality for customers.

This permanent full‑time role operates on a 3‑day, 3‑night roster with a 6-off cycle at our Kwinana site; some flexibility may be required during ramp up. Relevant fixed-plant and DCS experience is desirable.

Qualifications

• Valid Driver's license (WA, C-Class - Manual).
• High Risk Licence: Advanced Boiler (Desirable).
• Advanced First Aid (or higher) (Desirable).
• Confined Space Entry and Gas Test Atmospheres (Desirable).
• Forklift license / Front End Loader / Reach Stacker (Desirable).
• Working at Heights (Desirable).
• Participate as an active member of the Covalent Emergency Response Team (ERT).

Responsibilities

• Reviewing and improving safety and operating procedures for processing tasks.
• Operate, sample and test the process plant as required.
• Support shift handovers and maintain refinery equipment.
• Control and optimise refinery operations from DCS including start-up/shutdown.
• Assist with outages and turnarounds planning and execution.
• Ensure strong inter-department collaboration and safety reporting.

Skills

Driver's License

Advanced Boiler Licence

First Aid

Confined Space

Forklift Licence

Working at Heights

ERT Member

Job description

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At Covalent Lithium, we are genuinely passionate about creating a clean energy future and supporting our teams who enable this vision.

Following the commissioning of our mine and concentrator at Mt Holland in 2024, we recently celebrated our first production of battery -grade lithium hydroxide at our Kwinana Refinery. We are now a fully integrated mine-to-refinery operation, supplying high quality lithium hydroxide to global markets and enabling approximately 1 million electric vehicles to go on the road, every year for the next 50 years.

We are proud to foster a culture where people with different skills, experiences and backgrounds are welcomed and set-up for success.

Employee Benefits

• Competitive remuneration, and annual incentives for eligible employees
• Access to discounts, recognition and rewards
• Access to flexible work arrangements
• Dedicated wellbeing program support and discounted health insurance
• Equal access to paid parental leave, financial support, return to work and parenting room
• Salary sacrifice options for superannuation and novated leasing

The Role

This position is responsible for overseeing commissioning and operational activities at the Kwinana Refinery, reporting to the Process Supervisor.

The Process Operator is required to adhere to company safety, environmental, operational, engineering standards and procedures in a productive and efficient manner to ensure maximised plant performance while achieving quality product that meets customer requirements.

This is a permanent full-time position on a 3-day, 3 night/ 6 off roster based at our Kwinana Refinery.To support Ramp up of the refinery, some flexibility in working arrangements/hours may be required.

Key Responsibilities

• Reviewing and improving standards and safe operating procedures for all processing production/operational tasks.
• Use and Continuous Improvement of Permit to Work system.
• Operate, sample and test process plant as required.
• Participation in comprehensive shift handovers.
• Identify and report refinery equipment requiring maintenance utilising the maintenance systems.
• Controlling and optimising the refinery from the distributed control system (DCS) including start-up, shutdown and continuous operations.
• Develop operating methods and procedures related to production and operational tasks.
• Operational support (planning and execution) for plant outages and turn-arounds.
• Ensure effective working relationships are built and maintained with other departments and stakeholders, both internal and external.
• Contribute as member of the Covalent Lithium team in establishing our desired organisation culture and values.
• Ensure all health, safety and environmental incidents are reported
• Maintain a high standard of housekeeping and workmanship

Role Requirements

Note: Training will be provided for you to fill the role requirements.

• Valid Driver's license (Western Australian, C-Class - Manual vehicle)
• High Risk Licence: Advanced Boiler (Desirable)
• Advanced First Aid (or higher) (Desirable)
• Confined Space Entry and Gas Test Atmospheres (Desirable)
• Forklift license / Front End Loader / Reach Stacker (Desirable)
• Working at Heights (Desirable)
• Participate as an active member of the Covalent Emergency Response Team (ERT) and fulfill the inherent requirements and relevant training as provided

Experience

• 3+ years in fixed plant processing
• Experience in commissioning or major shutdown planning is desired
• Operating Distributed Control Systems (DCS), or equivalent, is desired but not essential.
• Experience with Type B gas appliances and Burner Management Systems (BMS) is desired
• Experience in lithium refining or processing knowledge in the following is desirable:
  • Calciner or rotary kiln operation
  • Pneumatic conveyor operation
  • Filter operation (including Pressure and Candle).
  • Water treatment operation
  • Crystalliser operation

A competitive remuneration package commensurate with the role, candidate experience, skills and qualifications will be offered.

Our team members are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work. Candidates from all backgrounds and ages are encouraged to apply, including First Nations People, those who identify as LGBTIQ+, people with disabilities and those with neurodiverse, intersectional, or multiple diverse characteristics.

Covalent Lithium is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, with a focus on our employees. We recognise skills, expertise, commitment and living our values of Purpose, Care, Accountability and Collaboration. Our goal is to attract, develop, motivate, reward, and retain the best people in the industry.