Assistant Roving Operator

U.S. Sugar; Clewiston (FL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Sugar, based in Clewiston, Florida, seeks a rotating-shift operator to monitor Boiling House operations, conduct inspections and support maintenance. The role requires handling schedules, responding to service calls, and coordinating with CCR and Roving Operators.

Responsibilities include operating forklifts and heavy equipment, ensuring process continuity, and maintaining documentation. Safety, training, and ability to work independently are essential.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age or older and pass company tests for basic skills and aptitude.
• New hires must pass a drug test and pre-employment background screening.
• Must have the physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Applicant must be able to read, write and speak English to comprehend instructions and communicate safely.
• Must obtain forklift, skid steer and man lift certifications within 30 days of being awarded the position.
• Basic mechanical skills and willingness to learn are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Operate forklift, man-lift, skid-steer and other heavy equipment as needed.
• Perform equipment breakdowns and maintenance tasks; document status.
• Monitor motors, belts, pumps, and valves to ensure continuous operation.
• Coordinate clarification operations with other operators and shift manager.
• Relay as understudy and progress in acquiring skills of related operator roles.

Skills

English literacy

Physical stamina

Safety compliance

Teamwork

Communication

Tools

Forklift operation

Skid steer

Maintenance tools

Job description

U.S. Sugar is one of the nation’s largest fully integrated producer of sugarcane, a leading provider of fresh vegetables and citrus products and a regional short line railroad operator. Headquartered in Clewiston, Florida the company farms more than 200,000 acres in Hendry, Glades, Martin and Palm Beach counties and employs approximately 3,000 people including many high skilled/wage jobs in automated environments. Produces 650,000 - 700,000 tons of cane sugar a year, providing nearly 8% of the nation’s sugar production. U.S. Sugar employs nearly 3,000 people including high skilled / high wage jobs in variety of automated environments.

Why U.S. Sugar?

Employees are our most valuable asset. When we succeed, our employees succeed. Many have an ownership stake in our privately held business through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). As we grow, we hire new employees who are knowledgeable, energetic and committed to keeping us on the cutting-edge of our industry. We reward them with challenging work, opportunities to learn and grow, competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package and a supportive work environment where safety is our top priority.

Summary

This is a rotating shift-work position with periodic overtime requirements, including weekends and holidays, working independently and with minimal supervision, safely and efficiently monitor Boiling House operations to ensure continuous processing, including conducting scheduled maintenance inspections, breakdowns, cleanouts, and lubrication rounds. Will respond to calls for service from, and assist, the Juice Clarification & Mud Processing Operator, CCR Operator and the Roving Operator.

Functions

• Abide by all Company policies outlined in the Employee Handbook and comply with all Company, Local, State and Federal regulations relating to Health, Safety, Operations, etc.
• Successfully participate in and complete all training sessions, safety classes, pre-shift meetings, and/or certifications related to the position.
• Operate forklift, man-lift, skid-steer, and other heavy equipment as needed, using both feet and hands to manipulate foot and hand controls simultaneously.
• Conduct equipment breakdowns and clean up, maintain checklists and written or computerized documentation concerning equipment status ensuring proper operation, lubricate equipment when appropriate, and assist Mechanics when needed. Participate in maintenance activities requiring basic mechanical abilities and physical labor.
• Operate and monitor motors, carriers, belts, feeders, pumps, scrapers, nozzles, and valves, ensuring constant operation. Perform routine tasks of inspection, calibration, sampling and maintenance, as dictated by the needs of the process.
• Ensure a steady, adequate supply of suitable flocculants is available to the various areas of the facility that use flocculent.
• Measure the juice pH, mud pH, conductivity of the evaporator condensate, and syrup brix.
• Evaluate mud levels in the clarifiers as well as the mud consistency coming out of the clarifiers and adjust operating parameters accordingly.
• Coordinate clarification operations with the Roving Operator and/or Juice Clarification & Mud Processing Operator where conditions in the clarifiers might affect these other areas of the juice plant. The Assistant Roving Operator must communicate effectively at all times with the Shift Manager, Roving Operator and staff in the field.
• Direct the CCR Operator in equipment operation and make adjustments in the field in response to feedback from the CCR Operator. Make the necessary adjustments to equipment in the field where it is not operated remotely and requires manual operation, routinely, or on an as needed basis.
• Serve as the understudy of the Juice Clarification & Mud Processing Operator, CCR Operator and the Roving Operator, and demonstrate continual progress in acquiring the skills of those positions. Work alone in the field or the central control room under the direction of Roving Operator or Shift Manager performing specified operating or maintenance duties commensurate with skills acquired in progress along the path of under-study. Relieve the Juice Clarification & Mud Processing Operator, CCR Operator and the Roving Operator on as needed basis (when sufficiently skilled to do so).

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age or older and have positive results from Company-designated tests designed to measure basic skills, job skills, mechanical aptitude and/or other interests, skills and characteristics.
• New hires must pass a drug test and other pre-employment background screening, and successfully complete any required training or orientation course.
• Must have the physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job. Applicant must be in good health and physically able to perform all phases of the work.
• Must have a good work record and disciplinary history.
• Applicant must be able to read, write and speak the English language in order to comprehend instructions on the job and in the classroom, to communicate via radio, and to ensure personal and co-worker safety on the job.
• Must possess basic computer skills and an aptitude for working with and interpreting graphics related to process equipment.
• Must be able to be FIT tested for wearing of a respirator
• Must be able to work in confined spaces
• Must be able to carry 8 bags of flocculant (one at a time) from the staging area to the mixing area.
• Must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the following:
• how is cane juice pH adjusted for clarification
• what is a Juice Clarifier used for
• what is Flocculant
• the basic juice flow through the Juice Processing section of the Boiling House
• why is the thickness/consistency of the mud removed from the Clarifiers important
• how to replace a rubber lined butterfly valve
• Must be able to obtain forklift, skid steer and man lift certification within 30 days of being awarded the position.
• Basic mechanical skills including skills in the use of wrenches and be able to replace valves would be advantageous.
• Experience as an operator in a processing environment, preferably a raw sugar mill, or other applicable juice processing environment would be advantageous.

WORKING CONDITIONS

80% of the work environment is conducted in an uncovered environment, exposed to heights and rapidly changing temperatures including extreme heat, weather conditions, blowing dust and particles, loud noise, and limited visibility while wearing PPE (i.e.: hard hat, goggles, ear plugs, full-body suits, and respirators); regularly climbing stairs or ladders, kneeling, crawling, bending, stooping, squatting, reaching, and walking on uneven ground containing slip and trip hazards. Will routinely work while lifting, loading, pushing and/or pulling of up to 55 lbs. unassisted.

20% of the work environment is conducted in enclosed, or tight, spaces using lock-out/tag-out practices and artificial light, working around wet or dripping, moving machinery with sharp edges, reaching above the head while crouching, standing, or laying prone. Will be fitted for a respirator.

This information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by associates in this position. It is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. This description supersedes and previous or undated descriptions for this position. Management has the right to add or change the duties for this position at any time.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

United States Sugar Corporation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.