Assistant Plant Operator

Lignetics Inc.; Mifflintown (Juniata County); On-site; USD 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

2 weeks paid time off + 2 floating HOL

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

401(k) with employer match

Educational assistance

Life insurance & disability

Job summary

Lignetics Inc. is seeking a backup operator for its pellet mill and dryer operations in a 12-hour shift pattern (7p–7a, rotating). This role supports breaks, learns multiple positions, and assists with plant cleanliness and cross-functional coverage.

Requires 1–2 years of production experience; high school diploma or GED preferred and forklift certification. The position includes benefits and potential for growth within a wood pellet facility.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED preferred.
• General production process knowledge required.
• Forklift certification required.
• Ability to perform simple math calculations.

Responsibilities

• Operate and adjust pellet mills and dryer temps per specs.
• Regulate material mix for moisture and density targets.
• Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and spot issues.
• Maintain feed rates and adjust rolls/dies as needed.
• Complete daily reports with temps, moisture, tonnage and hours.

Skills

Forklift certification

Mechanical aptitude

Troubleshooting

Math skills

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Process controls

Safety procedures

Job description

Description

Shift Schedule:12 hour shift (rotating nights of the week / continuous shift) schedule 7p to 7a

Salary: $20.00/hour + $1.00 shift differential

** Pre-employment background check and drug screen required.

This role consists of being a backup up operator, covering breaks, learning multiple positions, facility cleaning and being utilized where needed.

Pellet Mill Operation and Dryer Regulation

• Operate and adjust pellet mills, and regular dryer inlet and outlet temperatures per specifications, overseeing and monitoring bin levels.
• Regulate material mix to obtain the optimal pellet moisture and pellet density ratio, keeping pellet moisture under specified limits per compacted cubic foot by communicating the ratio of fresh and old sawdust and wet and dry shavings.
• Troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, spot fires, and hot bearings.
• Maintain pellet mill feed rates and adjust or change pellet mill rolls/dies accordingly
• Complete a daily report detailing temperature readings, dried material moisture, and perform density checks per specifications, and the average for the day, total mill hours, natural gas hours and estimate tonnage
• Additional accountabilities as required

Pellet Mill Operation and Dryer Requirements:

• High School diploma or GED preferred
• One to two years production experience in an industrial setting highly preferred
• Requires working knowledge of all aspects of the production process
• Process Controls Experience a plus
• Will need to be able to pass the company forklift certification
• Will need to lift up to 80 lbs waist high and stand for up to 12 hours per day
• Will need to be able to use catwalks and climb ladders that connect catwalks up to 60 feet high and according to safety standards
• Will need to have mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills
• Will need to have the ability to do simple math calculations

Benefits:

• Employee referral bonus program
• 2 weeks paid time off + 2 floating holidays
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance (FSA & HSA options)
• Educational assistance
• Life insurance, short term & long-term disability
• 401(k) with employer match & immediate vesting
• Employee heating pellet program
• Lignetics SWAG gear to include an annual pair of work boots & other PPE

Lignetics believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity (EEO) and does not discriminate against its employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, or on any other protected status under state, local or federal law. Equal employment opportunity is extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall and termination.

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