Entry Level Operator

AUSTIN POWDER COMPANY; Tennessee; On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Powder is seeking an Entry Level Operator to safely load and manage chemicals, maintain housekeeping, and ensure environmental and DOT compliance. You will assist with tank sampling, waste handling, and daily QA tasks while following SOPs, SDS, and P&IDs.

The role requires attention to PPE, alarms, and log sheets. Responsibilities include operating plant equipment, performing end-of-shift turnover, and supporting general labor tasks across the site.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 21 years of age with either an Associates Degree, military service, or two years of manufacturing experience.

Responsibilities

• Move control settings to adjust speeds of equipment affecting reactions and yields.
• Monitor instruments and indicators to verify process conditions.
• Operate chemical processes using DCS, Local Controls, or semi-automatic equipment.
• Record operating data and report conditions to supervisors.
• Shut down equipment during emergencies as directed by supervision.

Skills

Process monitoring

Troubleshooting

Safety compliance

Reading SOPs/SDS/P&IDs

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associates Degree (optional)

Job description

Join the Family - Come work for an exciting company offering great benefits, challenging opportunities, and colleagues who feel more like family.

Job Summary

The Entry Level Operator (ELO) is responsible for safe, reliable and environmentally compliant loading of anhydrous ammonia, ANSOL, & nitric acid trucks & railcars. Responsible for housekeeping and organization of loading, storage, waste containment, and connex areas Assist with overall plant housekeeping (rolling up hoses, picking up trash, ) Responsible for keeping the proper PPE on and keeping it clean and ready to use Responsible for blowdown of ammonia bullets prior to lab sampling Responsible for movement of railcars & operation of Shuttle wagon Responsible for walking the railyard and insuring the cars are properly parked and secured all signage is in place and derails are set each shift. Responsible for proper completion of loading paperwork & placarding per DOT guidelines Responsible for movement of waste totes Assist with tank sampling & other BPO tasks Assist in any general labor task plant-wide (movement of supplies, etc.) Able to access and utilize SOPs, SDS, P&IDs. Clean and fuel all vehicles and golf carts that are operations. Work on qualification packets and finish in the allotted amount of time. Aid in painting of plant items and replacing old signs or line markings that are getting bad.

undefined undefined Knowing the proper PPE and using it on all tasks that require PPE. Knowledge/experience and high level of competency of utility startup/shutdown processes. Familiar with alarms and trips associated with utility operations. Full understanding of environmental limits and consequences. Accurate reporting of process parameters and knowledge of corrective actions associated with deviations. High level of competency associated with process upsets and troubleshooting. Certified to perform BPO responsibilities with added tasks below: P&ID level knowledge of 9100, 9200, 9300, 9400, 9500, 9700 systems P&ID level knowledge of sump water discharge destinations Able to mark up a P&ID and apply a lockout. Responsible to perform LOTO and sign-off in L&S and Utilities areas: Write Safe Work Permits in Utility area: No confined space No excavation No hot work Responsible for water sampling and testing Responsible for pumping storage area sumps according to water quality Responsible for the following check sheets: OSBL (9100, 9500, 9700) Log Sheet Daily Analytical Lab Report – Utilities Cooling Tower Checklist Effluent Pond pH Aid in keeping the areas clean and orderly. Maintaining qualification credentials for all areas that the operator is qualified for. Identifying hazards and taking the appropriate measures to correct or barricade with signage alerting personnel of the hazard. Paint and replace signs or labels as needed to maintain a safe work area. Doing a good end of shift turnover of all items adjusted, repaired or any ongoing problems and items to be accomplished. undefined undefined Knowledge/experience and high level of competency of startup/shutdown processes. Familiar with alarms and trips associated with plant operations. Full understanding of environmental limits and consequences. Understanding the hazards in the areas and knowing what PPE is to be used. Write Safe Work Permits in Utility area: No confined space No excavation No hot work Doing a good end of shift turnover of all items adjusted, repaired or any ongoing problems and items to be accomplished. Accurate reporting of process parameters and knowledge of corrective actions associated with deviations. High level of competency associated with process upsets and troubleshooting. Knowledge and understanding of SOCLs, SOPs and P&IDs. Able to write work requests. Able to mark up a P&ID and apply a lockout. Responsible for outside Operator Log Sheet and recording the readings of the plant on time and analyzing what the readings are. Capable of handling emergency situations that might arise in the plants or processes. Capable of running all samples in the area and making adjustments to remain in set specs. Aid in keeping the areas clean and orderly. Maintaining qualification credentials for all areas that the operator is qualified for. Identifying hazards and taking the appropriate measures to correct or barricade with signage alerting operators of the hazard. Able to test sumps and containments and handle the water accordingly. Paint and replace signs or labels as needed to maintain a safe work area. undefined undefined Knowledge/experience and high level of competency of startup/shutdown and production adjustment processes. Execute a startup or shutdown in a timely and efficient manner. Full understanding of alarms and trips associated with operations of 1000/2000 Plants, Upgrade Plants (3000/5000) and Utilities (9100, 9200, 9300, 9500, 9600, 9700, 9800, and 9900). Full understanding of environmental limits and consequences. Full understanding of lab data and corrective actions associated with deviations. Responsible for the efficient operation of the plants and making adjustments to maximize the efficiency of the plants. Being confident in directing the outside operator to make adjustments or correct any issues. Accurate reporting of process parameters and corrective actions associated with deviations. High level of competency associated with process upsets and troubleshooting. Knowledge and understanding of SOCLs, SOPs and P&IDs. Able to write work requests. Able to mark up a P&ID and apply a lockout. Responsible for Board Operator Log Sheet and recording the readings of the plant on time and analyzing what the readings are. Capable of handling emergency situations that might arise in the plants or processes. Knowing how to operate the emergency systems to initiate the emergency response team and announce it over the radio and plant intercom. Maintaining qualification credentials for all areas that the operator is qualified for. Doing a good end of shift turnover of all items adjusted, repaired or any ongoing problems and items to be accomplished.

Responsibilities

• Move control settings to make necessary adjustments on equipment units affecting speeds of chemical reactions, quality, or yields.
• Monitor recording instruments, flow-meters, panel lights, or other indicators and listen for warning signals, to verify conformity of process conditions.
• Control or operate chemical processes or systems of machines, using Distributive Control Systems (DCS), Local Controls, or semi-automatic equipment.
• Record operating data, such as process conditions, test results, or instrument readings.
• Confer with technical and supervisory personnel to report or resolve conditions affecting safety, efficiency, or product quality.
• Draw samples of products and conduct quality control tests to monitor processing and to ensure that standards are met.
• Regulate or shut down equipment during emergency situations, as directed by supervisory personnel.
• Start pumps to wash and rinse reactor vessels, to exhaust gases or vapors, to regulate the flow of oil, steam, air, or perfume to towers, or to add products to converter or blending vessels.
• Interpret chemical reactions visible through sight glasses or on television monitors and review laboratory test reports for process adjustments.
• Patrol work areas to ensure that solutions in tanks or troughs are not in danger of overflowing.
• Work and/or assist in any area of the plant as directed by supervisory personnel.
• Take an active role in assisting with on-the-job training for other operators who are working towards a qualification into additional areas on site as directed by supervisory personnel.

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Monitor process operations – operate Distributive Control System watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a plants working properly.
• Understand basic mechanics and fluid flow.
• Investigate and troubleshoot process upset condition and take corrective action.
• Conduct tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Active Listening: Give full attention to what other people are saying, take time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate andwithout interruption.
• Judgment and Decision Making: Consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Science Comprehension: Understand the chemistry of the process and physical states of various substances.
• Math Comprehension: Perform multiplication, division, addition and subtraction, as well as rudimentary algebra.
• Reading Comprehension: Understand written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Writing: Communicate effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Active Learning: Understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Problem Sensitivity: The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Selective Attention: The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
• Information Ordering: The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Oral Comprehension: The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Auditory Attention: The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
• Control Precision: The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
• Deductive Reasoning: The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Near Vision: The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Far Vision: The ability to see details at a distance.
• The ability to work at heights, navigate ladders and stairs, lift 50 pounds without assistance, and operate valves and other controls in the field.
• The ability to participate in emergency response, including HAZMAT, Confined Space Rescue, First Aid and Incipient Fire Brigade.
• Meet physical requirements needed to wear personal protective equipment mandated by OSHA regulation or USN policy.

Prerequisites

• High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• 21 years of age with one of the following: Associates Degree, military service or two years manufacturing experience.
• This is a safety sensitive position which requires employees to disclose the use of any prescription medications that may affect the Employee’s ability to perform safely the essential functions of his or her position to Human Resources.

Austin Powder is an Equal Opportunity and Aff… Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Austin Powder also participates in E-Verify. This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and for inquiring about, discussing or disclosing compensation. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. SINCE 1833, IMPROVING THE WORLD WE LIVE IN. Austin Powder has been making explosives for over 190 years and we take great pride in improving the world we live in. In 1833, the Austin family created the company to produce black powder that would help break the rock, mine the minerals and build the canals and railroads to develop the frontier. Initially along the banks of the Cuyahoga River near Akron, Ohio, we grew as the country grew. Today, Austin Powder is a world leader in the industrial explosives industry with a passionate commitment towards safety, a relentless customer focus, a family culture work environment, and a demonstration of respect of towards all. As in our early years, our mission continues to be to improve the world we live in through the safe and responsible use of explosives. Our success has been based on our core values and this has proven to be universally true around the globe as the company has expanded to be one of the leading providers of industrial explosives and blasting services in the world.