Control Operator

Chief Ethanol; Hastings (NE); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation/time off

Company-paid life insurance

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance

Education assistance

Paid holidays

Job summary

Chief Ethanol Hastings, NE is seeking a plant Operator to manage ethanol production from a centralized control room, ensuring safe and efficient operation across fermentation, distillation, and utilities.

You will monitor DCS systems, adjust parameters, respond to alarms, coordinate with field operators, and document data and shift handovers to uphold quality and safety.

Qualifications

• Understanding of math and chemical process systems.
• Ability to interpret P&IDs, process trends, and instrumentation data.
• Experience with plant operations in a similar environment is preferred.
• Willingness to work rotating shifts, including nights and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Monitor plant operations using DCS systems across fermentation, distillation, evaporation, drying, and utilities.
• Adjust process parameters (flows, temperatures, pressures, chemical dosing) to maintain optimal production.
• Respond to alarms and troubleshoot process deviations in real time.
• Coordinate with field operators for equipment inspections, manual adjustments, and maintenance activities.
• Record production data, energy usage, equipment status, and downtime events.

Skills

Process knowledge

P&ID interpretation

Data analysis

Shift flexibility

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Job Category: Supply Chain/Logistics/Planning

Requisition Number: CONTR001184

• Posted: July 17, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Chief Ethanol
Hastings, NE 68901, USA

Description

Oversees and controls the ethanol production process from a centralized control room. This role ensures safe, efficient, and continuous operation of plant equipment through monitoring systems, data analysis, and coordination with field operators.

• Monitor plant operations using DCS systems, including fermentation, distillation, evaporation, drying, and utilities.
• Adjust process parameters (flows, temperatures, pressures, chemical dosing) to maintain optimal production.
• Respond to alarms and troubleshoot process deviations in real time.
• Communicate with field operators to coordinate equipment inspections, manual adjustments, and maintenance activities.
• Record operational data including production rates, energy usage, equipment status, and downtime events.
• Start up and shut down equipment following established procedures.
• Ensure safety compliance by following SOPs, lockout/tagout, confined space, and emergency protocols.
• Collaborate with maintenance to report equipment issues and support repairs.
• Maintain product quality by monitoring lab results and adjusting processes accordingly.
• Participate in shift handovers with clear documentation and verbal briefings.
• Strong understanding of industrial process operations (ethanol, chemical, or power preferred).
• Ability to interpret P&IDs, process trends, and instrumentation data.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, including nights and weekends.

Education:

• High school diploma, or GED, required.

The Company:

Putting the needs of customers first has taken Chief Industries, Inc. from a small construction company in 1954, to a highly diverse company with a reputation for manufacturing quality products and offering unparalleled customer service. Through its many divisions and subsidiaries, Chief Industries employs over 1,400 skilled and dedicated employees who produce a wide variety of products, many of which are used around the world.

A Brand of Chief Industries, Chief Ethanol is committed to producing quality renewable fuel and produces approximately 140 million gallons of ethanol annually. Chief Ethanol Fuels, Inc. was Nebraska’s first dry-mill ethanol plant and remains committed to producing renewable fuel and high-quality feed today. The plant is a continuous flow Vogelbusch process.

Benefits

• Paid vacation/time off policies
• Company-paid life insurance
• Company-paid short-term disability benefits
• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Financial wellness coaching
• Employee assistance program
• Paid holidays (8)
• Education assistance
• And much more.

Qualifications

Understanding of math and chemical process systems.

Experience

Required: 1-2 years of job-related experience.

Required: 2 years of experience in computer software operation or equivalent education.

Preferred

Previous plant experience preferred; will train the right individual.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.