Assistant Plant Operator

Scinergy Recruitment; Thurrock; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

SCINERGY Recruitment is seeking Assistant Plant Operators for a brand-new Energy from Waste power station in Tilbury, Essex. You will join the operations team, supporting commissioning, start-up and long-term operation of the plant with comprehensive training for a career in power generation.

The role involves routine inspections, monitoring equipment, and assisting with start-ups, shutdowns, and maintenance. You will work under the Shift Team Leader to maximise plant availability and safety.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in an operational, production or maintenance role within energy from waste / power generation.
• Experience with industrial machinery or process equipment.
• Relevant technical qualifications (NVQ/City & Guilds/BTEC or apprenticeship) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Carry out routine plant inspections and monitor equipment performance.
• Assist with start-ups, shutdowns and planned maintenance outages.
• Support safe systems of work, permit-to-work procedures and site safety rules.
• Operate mobile plant, cranes, weighbridges and assist with waste reception operations.
• Maintain shift logs and operational records for reliability and compliance.
• Collaborate with technicians and Shift Team Leader to maximise plant availability.

Skills

Operational experience

Industrial machinery

Technical qualification

Education

NVQ/City & Guilds/BTEC

Job description

Assistant Plant Operator - New Build EFW Power Station

Circa £48,500 + Bonus + Benefits

Tilbury, Essex

SCINERGY Recruitment are currently recruiting for a number of Assistant Plant Operators to join a brand-new Energy from Waste power station in Tilbury Docks, Essex.

This new EFW facility is currently under construction and, once operational, will process over 350,000 tonnes of waste per year, generating enough energy to power the equivalent of 93,000 homes.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a modern EFW facility as part of its new operations team, supporting the commissioning, start-up and long-term operation of the plant. You will benefit from comprehensive technical training and the opportunity to develop your career within the power generation sector.

As an Assistant Plant Operator, you will work as part of the shift operations team, supporting the safe, efficient and compliant operation of the facility. Working under the direction of the Shift Team Leader and alongside Shift Operations Technicians, you will carry out hands‑on operational activities across the boiler house, turbine hall, waste reception areas and associated auxiliary plant.

The role will involve conducting routine plant inspections, monitoring equipment performance, assisting with plant start‑ups and shutdowns and supporting first‑line maintenance activities to help maximise plant availability and reliability.

The Role

Key responsibilities will include:

• Carrying out routine plant walk‑arounds, inspections and monitoring of boilers, steam turbines, pumps, conveyors and associated auxiliary equipment.
• Monitoring plant operating conditions, identifying equipment defects and reporting abnormal performance to the Shift Team Leader.
• Undertaking basic first‑line mechanical and electrical maintenance activities where suitably trained and authorised.
• Supporting plant commissioning, start‑ups, shutdowns and planned maintenance outages.
• Operating mobile plant, weighbridges and overhead travelling cranes in accordance with site procedures and training.
• Coordinating the safe delivery, handling and unloading of operational consumables, including lime, activated carbon, ammonia and gas oil.
• Supporting waste reception, material handling and general site operational activities.
• Working closely with Shift Operations Technicians and maintenance teams to minimise downtime and maximise plant availability.
• Maintaining accurate operational records, shift logs and equipment inspection reports.
• Supporting safe systems of work, isolation procedures and permit‑to‑work activities as required.
• Ensuring all operational activities comply with site procedures, environmental permits and health and safety requirements.
• Reporting accidents, incidents, near misses and potential hazards in accordance with site procedures.
• Maintaining high standards of housekeeping, plant cleanliness and operational safety.
• Supporting continuous improvement activities aimed at improving plant reliability, efficiency and operational performance.

About You

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience in an operational, production or maintenance role within Energy from Waste, biomass, power generation, CHP, anaerobic digestion, waste management, paper production or a similar heavy process environment.
• Experience working with industrial machinery, process equipment or mechanical and electrical plant.
• A relevant technical qualification, such as NVQ, City & Guilds, BTEC or an engineering apprenticeship, would be advantageous.
• A good under