Chemical Operator - Day Shift

NEXPERA; Darrow (LA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Job summary

NEXPERA is seeking a Chemical Operator to monitor and operate sulfuric acid and related processes across multiple site areas. The role emphasizes safety, equipment troubleshooting, and daily lab analysis in a high-hazard environment.

You will work in control rooms, labs, and outdoor areas, supporting process safety and emergency response initiatives. The operator will perform start/stop procedures, control plant systems, and assist with maintenance and loading/unloading tasks while adhering to

Qualifications

• HS diploma or GED required.
• Two years in an industrial or manufacturing setting.
• Proficient with MS Office and Google Suite; able to learn new software.

Responsibilities

• Start up and shut down plant systems (normal and emergency).
• Operate, monitor and control plant systems; inspect equipment and processes.
• Prepare equipment for maintenance including lockout/tagout procedures.
• Troubleshoot equipment to restore normal operation.
• Perform laboratory analysis of products and related duties.
• Support safety programs and respond to alarms and emergencies.

Skills

Industrial experience

Safety

Stamina

Teamwork

Communication

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

SAP

Job description

NEXPERA leads the way in sulfuric acid and potassium hydroxide regeneration, offering a comprehensive range of products and services that optimize processes, minimize environmental impact, and allow our partners to focus on their core operations. With the industry’s largest facility network, we ensure unmatched reliability and drive innovation across the industrial landscape. In addition, we provide an unmatched array of sulfur-based chemicals and related services to a diverse set of industries.

POSITION PURPOSE

The Chemical Operator will monitor and operate equipment and facilities, including field equipment, ensuring quality and conformance with standard operating procedures. Additional responsibilities include always maintaining safety standards and initiating and following emergency procedures when necessary. The Operator will perform basic maintenance repair and upkeep on area equipment. Job tasks are performed in control room, lab areas, and throughout various operation areas of the site.

The site operates a process safety management-covered process that produces sulfuric acid in multiple concentrations. Product is shipped in rail cars, tank trucks and portable totes.

PRIMARY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES (but not limited to)

• Start up and shut down (normal and emergency) plant systems and components.
• Operate, monitor and control plant systems; visually inspect, monitor equipment and process conditions.
• Prepares equipment for maintenance work by isolating, clearing and locking out.
• Reviews, follows and, if qualified, revises detailed process operating procedures, maintenance procedures and safety procedures.
• Troubleshoots equipment to restore to normal operation.
• Analyzes charts and logs to identify potential or actual problems.
• Identifies system problems to stabilize plant to normal conditions.
• Trains new operators in the area, reinforcing safety and environmental principles.
• Performs loading and unloading of railcars, tank trucks and totes.
• Perform laboratory analysis of products.
• Clerical duties as required.
• Shipping duties as required.
• Recognize abnormalities in a High Hazard work area and promptly initiate action to secure the safety of all personnel along with protection of the environment and local community.
• Serve as an active member of the site's Alarm Management Team
• Participate in Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) teams to identify, evaluate, and mitigate process safety risks.
• Support the development and implementation of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, including battery limit methodologies and isolation practices.
• Coordinate and execute sulfur trioxide (SO3) sampling activities, including data review, analysis, and process improvement recommendations.
• Ensure thorough system preparation and isolation during planned and unplanned process shutdowns.
• Participate in emergency response and inclement weather teams to support safe and continuous plant operations during adverse conditions.
• Apply advanced troubleshooting techniques to analyze process relationships and optimize plant performance, including SO3 and oleum system operations.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of the SO3 system and support maintenance planning, preparation, and execution activities.
• Serve as a member of the plant Rescue Team and support emergency response activities in accordance with site safety procedures.

Qualifications

In order to be qualified for this role, the following is required:

• High School Diploma/GED equivalent
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment
• Ability to navigate the tools of Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.) and Google Suite (Sheets, Docs, etc.) and learn new computer systems and software applications
• Willing and able to work 12-hour rotating shifts, including overtime, nights, weekends, holidays and short notice call-in if required
• Willing and able to lift up to 50 lbs
• Willing and able to work in a High Hazard environment; outdoors, indoors, elevated heights and confined spaces
• Willing and able to wear required PPE (personal protective equipment) such as steel toe shoes, hardhat, protective eyewear, face shields, respirator, chemical acid suit, etc.
• Willing and able to climb stairs, ladders; stand, walk, stoop, bend, kneel, crawl; visual acuity for close work; able to reach overhead; able to hear and respond to alarms
• Current and valid driver’s license – willing and able to obtain powered industrial truck (i.e., fork trucks and manlifts) certification
• Willing and able to operate a trackmobile to move railcars on-site and a yard-dog to move product trailers as needed on the site.
• Experience maintaining, repairing and troubleshooting industrial equipment/machinery

The following skill sets are preferred by the site:

• High Hazard/Chemical operations experience
• Experience reading and interpreting Schematics, Pipe & Instrumentation Diagrams, Procedures, Manufactures’ Literature, Safety Requirements, General Instructions; ability to learn and detect process deviations
• Experience operating fork trucks
• Experience with SAP or equivalent Manufacturing Operations software

• Successful candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

BENEFITS

Nexpera's comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental and vision insurance. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement. Pay and benefits for employees represented by a union are outlined in their collective bargaining agreement.

Additional information

NEXPERA leads the way in sulfuric acid and potassium hydroxide regeneration, offering a comprehensive range of products and services that optimize processes, minimize environmental impact, and allow our partners to focus on their core operations. With the industry’s largest facility network, we ensure unmatched reliability and drive innovation across the industrial landscape. In addition, we provide an unmatched array of sulfur-based chemicals and related services to a diverse set of industries.

The site operates a process safety management-covered process that produces sulfuric acid in multiple concentrations. Product is shipped in rail cars, tank trucks and portable totes.

PRIMARY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES (but not limited to)

• Start up and shut down (normal and emergency) plant systems and components.
• Operate, monitor and control plant systems; visually inspect, monitor equipment and process conditions.
• Prepares equipment for maintenance work by isolating, clearing and locking out.
• Reviews, follows and, if qualified, revises detailed process operating procedures, maintenance procedures and safety procedures.
• Troubleshoots equipment to restore to normal operation.
• Analyzes charts and logs to identify potential or actual problems.
• Identifies system problems to stabilize plant to normal conditions.
• Trains new operators in the area, reinforcing safety and environmental principles.
• Performs loading and unloading of railcars, tank trucks and totes.
• Perform laboratory analysis of products.
• Clerical duties as required.
• Shipping duties as required.
• Recognize abnormalities in a High Hazard work area and promptly initiate action to secure the safety of all personnel along with protection of the environment and local community.
• Serve as an active member of the site's Alarm Management Team
• Participate in Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) teams to identify, evaluate, and mitigate process safety risks.
• Support the development and implementation of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, including battery limit methodologies and isolation practices.
• Coordinate and execute sulfur trioxide (SO3) sampling activities, including data review, analysis, and process improvement recommendations.
• Ensure thorough system preparation and isolation during planned and unplanned process shutdowns.
• Participate in emergency response and inclement weather teams to support safe and continuous plant operations during adverse conditions.
• Apply advanced troubleshooting techniques to analyze process relationships and optimize plant performance, including SO3 and oleum system operations.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of the SO3 system and support maintenance planning, preparation, and execution activities.
• Serve as a member of the plant Rescue Team and support emergency response activities in accordance with site safety procedures.

Qualifications

In order to be qualified for this role, the following is required:

• High School Diploma/GED equivalent
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment
• Ability to navigate the tools of Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.) and Google Suite (Sheets, Docs, etc.) and learn new computer systems and software applications
• Willing and able to work 12-hour rotating shifts, including overtime, nights, weekends, holidays and short notice call-in if required
• Willing and able to lift up to 50 lbs
• Willing and able to work in a High Hazard environment; outdoors, indoors, elevated heights and confined spaces
• Willing and able to wear required PPE (personal protective equipment) such as steel toe shoes, hardhat, protective eyewear, face shields, respirator, chemical acid suit, etc.
• Willing and able to climb stairs, ladders; stand, walk, stoop, bend, kneel, crawl; visual acuity for close work; able to reach overhead; able to hear and respond to alarms
• Current and valid driver’s license – willing and able to obtain powered industrial truck (i.e., fork trucks and manlifts) certification
• Willing and able to operate a trackmobile to move railcars on-site and a yard-dog to move product trailers as needed on the site.
• Experience maintaining, repairing and troubleshooting industrial equipment/machinery

The following skill sets are preferred by the site:

• High Hazard/Chemical operations experience
• Experience reading and interpreting Schematics, Pipe & Instrumentation Diagrams, Procedures, Manufactures’ Literature, Safety Requirements, General Instructions; ability to learn and detect process deviations
• Experience operating fork trucks
• Experience with SAP or equivalent Manufacturing Operations software

• Successful candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

BENEFITS

Nexpera's comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental and vision insurance. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement. Pay and benefits for employees represented by a union are outlined in their collective bargaining agreement.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.