Lithium Carbonate Control Room Operator

Lithium Nevada, LLC; Nevada (IA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Lithium Nevada, LLC is seeking a Lithium Carbonate Control Room Operator to manage and optimize operations at the Thacker Pass mine site. The operator will be responsible for ensuring process stability and product quality while adhering to safety standards.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years of experience in mineral processing, proficiency in DCS operations, and strong attention to detail in high-pressure situations. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge lithium production.

Qualifications

• 3+ years as a control room operator in mineral processing or chemical manufacturing.
• Proficiency in DCS operations, understanding leaching and crystallization principles.
• Ability to read and comprehend P&IDs.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor DCS systems for lithium carbonate production.
• Ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards.
• Adjust setpoints to maintain process stability.

Skills

DCS operations proficiency

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Teamwork skills

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

Honeywell

Microsoft Suite

Job description

Company Overview

Lithium Americas is a North American resource and materials company focused on developing, building, and operating lithium deposits and chemical processing facilities, with its flagship asset Thacker Pass located in Humboldt County, Nevada, which is the world’s largest known measured lithium source and reserve.

Role

We are seeking a Lithium Carbonate Control Room Operator to join our Lithium Carbonate Process Plant team. In this role you will be responsible for the continuous operation, monitoring, and optimization of upstream beneficiation and/or downstream crystallization circuits in the production of lithium carbonate. Working within a Distributed Control System (DCS) environment, the operator ensures process stability, product quality, and compliance with safety and environmental standards. This position will be based at the Thacker Pass mine site during commissioning and steady‑state operations and reports to the Lithium Carbonate Shift Supervisor.

Key Responsibilities

• Foster trusting relationships with all workgroups and promote a culture aligned with our Purpose, Vision, and Values.
• Operate and monitor DCS systems covering mineral beneficiation, classification, leaching, neutralization, purification, filtration, crystallization and packaging circuits.
• Configure and utilize the historian database to trend key equipment and process parameters for maximum productivity.
• Monitor critical process parameters such as feed tonnage, particle size distribution, pulp density, reagent addition, concentrate grade, and recovery.
• Direct field operators in performing adjustments, inspections, and troubleshooting tasks.
• Adjust setpoints to maintain process stability and meet product specifications (battery‑grade or technical‑grade lithium carbonate).
• Respond to alarms and process deviations, implementing corrective actions to prevent safety, production, or quality impacts.
• Interpret real‑time trends, mass balance data, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as extraction efficiency, recovery rates, and impurity concentrations.
• Collaborate with process engineers to optimize reagent consumption (e.g., soda ash, caustic soda, lime), energy usage, and brine throughput.
• Generate and maintain accurate reports on lithium grade, recovery, reagent consumption, and downtime events.
• Record downtime data into the issued database for timely and transparent reporting.
• Ensure plant availability through timely identification, reporting, and follow‑through of variances during shift rotations.
• Communicate effectively with process engineering and maintenance teams during equipment breakdowns, isolations, and restarts.
• Coordinate with the laboratory for online and offline sampling; integrate results into process adjustments.
• Maintain adherence to all safety and environmental requirements.
• Follow strict protocols for handling corrosive reagents and high‑temperature equipment.
• Support maintenance teams with isolation, lockout‑tagout‑tryout (LOTOTO), and process readiness for planned interventions.
• Contribute to hazard identification, risk assessments, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrate strong safety and environmental compliance leadership, including accountability for identifying and escalating deviations from established standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma and 3+ years as a control room operator in a mineral processing or chemical manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in Distributed Control System (DCS) operations (Honeywell, Yokogawa, Emerson, or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of leaching, neutralization, precipitation, and crystallization principles.
• High attention to detail with the ability to diagnose process upsets under pressure.
• Ability to read and comprehend plant Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID’s).
• Competent and/or fluent with Microsoft Suite and other computer systems.
• Ability to remain calm and make quick decisions in high‑pressure situations.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills, especially in coordinating with field operators.
• Be a self‑starter: highly motivated, able to work independently, with high energy.
• Personal commitment to Lithium Americas’ Purpose, Vision, and Values.

Equal Opportunity Statement

LiAmericas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, gender, disability, age, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.