UK - Shift Plant Operator, Walsall

Encyclis; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Encyclis seeks a Shift Plant Operator to safely run the Walsall ERF, monitoring processes via the DSC and coordinating with maintenance teams to keep the plant compliant and efficient.

You will work as part of a highly skilled team in a new facility entering initial operations, with emphasis on safety, procedures, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• National Diploma or NVQ Level 3/2 in a technical or science subject.
• Experience with large process plants or energy/boiler operations.
• Experience with large boiler and rotating plant.

Responsibilities

• Operate the facility safely on a shift basis, managing waste feeding and key plant systems.
• Ensure compliance with Environmental Permit and emissions controls.
• Develop and maintain operation procedures and risk assessments.
• Coordinate with maintenance teams for start-ups/shutdowns.
• Report safety incidents to the Shift Team Leader.
• Support safe systems of work and site safety rules.
• Liaise with the Control Room and conduct plant start-ups and shutdowns as required.

Skills

Plant operations

DCS experience

Safety culture

Shift work

Education

National Diploma/NVQ Level 2-3 (technical/science)

Tools

Distributed Control System (DCS)

Overhead cranes

Boiler water chemistry

Job description

Overview

ENCYCLIS, (formally known as Covanta Europe), is a leader in the energy from waste industry and we are looking for our next talented individual to join us on our continuous mission of achieving brilliant things!

We generate sustainable electricity for homes and businesses from non-recyclable waste. The ash from the process is also recycled to become building materials, and metals are recovered for re-use.

Our facilities are some of the most advanced in the world! They boast new, state of the art equipment and tools, ensuring safety is at the heart and its people are set up for success.

You will be joining a team of highly skilled, diverse individuals and a business that applauds their successes, loves idea sharing and values its people.

Where you will be working

Encyclis is building a brand new Energy Recovery Facility in Walsall based in the Midlands. The new facility will be a sustainable alternative to landfill, using household, commercial and non-hazardous industrial residual waste, left after recycling and composting efforts, as a fuel to generate clean electricity. The facility, which is now in its construction phase and is expected to commence full commercial operations in 2027, will provide a vital outlet for the sustainable disposal of over 436,000 tonnes of residual waste per year and will generate 49 megawatts of low carbon energy – enough electricity to meet the needs of over 90,000 homes.

Responsibilities

The Shift Plant Operator (SPO) is responsible for the safe operation of Walsall ERF by utilisation of a Distributed Control System (DSC) to ensure close monitoring and control of the operational processes and parameters of the facility. Reporting directly to the Operations Shift Team Leader, the Shift Plant Operator will work in accordance with Encyclis’ procedures, whilst ensuring the facility is operationally compliant with the Environmental Permit and all related emissions to air, land and water.

Key Duties & Responsibilities of the role

• Operate the facility safely and efficiently on a shift rotation basis, including waste feeding and overhead cranes, combustion of municipal and commercial waste streams, LP and HP steam systems, fans, pumps, Steam Turbine Generator (STG), ash handling, water treatment processes and boiler water chemistry, conveyors, filter systems and valves.
• Take an active role in promoting, monitoring and improving the site H&S performance to include PPMS, routines and safety inspections, and partaking in H&S meetings and forums.
• Develop, implement, and maintain the facility’s operational procedures and risk assessments.
• Report any Health, Safety and Environmental unsafe conditions, accidents or incidents to the Shift Team Leader.
• Attain authorisation and support the delivery of Encyclis’ Safe Systems of Work, and Site Safety Rules.
• Support the STL with coordination and communication of the safe working practices of site staff and contractors.
• Operate and interrogate the plant from the Distributed Control System (DCS) and perform all on-plant duties, including operational tasks and routines.
• Liaise closely with the maintenance teams on all planned and unplanned maintenance activities, including removing plant and apparatus from service and returning the plant to service, and effective communication and coordination of plant start‑ups and shutdowns.
• Coordinate and instruct operational activities with Assistant Plant Operators and Day Operations.
• Participate in operational improvement processes and corrective actions, defect notifications and rectification.
• During emergency situations, coordinate with the emergency services and operate the facility to a safe shutdown condition, under the direction of the Shift Team Leader.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

The Shift Plant Operator (SPO) has no direct reports but coordinates and instructs operational activities with the Assistant Plant Operator and Day Operations. This is also regarded as a position of responsibility as the main point of contact for the Control Room, to support the STL and operational and maintenance activities of an operational facility.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

The preferred levels of education are to a National Diploma or National Vocational Qualification Level 3 or 2 in a technical or science subject, although relevant other qualifications with energy recovery or large process plant experience will be considered for the role.

Experience Requirements

This role requires a broad technical background in either plant operations or maintenance.

Preferably three years (3) experience, including practical experience with large boiler, rotating plant and modern DCS systems.