Plant Operator

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

Martin Marietta is seeking a Plant Operator to ensure safe, efficient production of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) and Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA). You will operate a computerized plant control system, regulate material flow, monitor temperatures, and maintain QC/DOT standards.

Advance maintenance and problem-solving will be routine to maximize uptime while upholding Guardian Angel safety culture. The role requires hands-on mechanical and technical skill, accurate record-keeping, and clear communication with

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or relevant experience.
• OSHA compliance and regulations.
• EPA.
• Technical aptitude.
• Mechanical aptitude.
• Asphalt plant knowledge.
• Detail oriented.
• Time management.
• Effective communicator (written and spoken).

Responsibilities

• Operate automated plant control systems to monitor and adjust the flow of materials, temperatures, and mixing times.
• Ensure the precise blending of aggregates and liquid asphalt cement according to mix designs from Quality Control.
• Oversee loading of asphalt into haul trucks, ensuring correct weights and legislative load limits.
• Monitor liquid AC, fuel, and stockpiles; coordinate with Loader Operator to feed the plant.
• Perform advanced maintenance on conveyors, baghouses, drum dryers, and related equipment.
• Use arc welders and cutting torches for structural repairs and modifications.
• Identify and troubleshoot electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical malfunctions to minimize downtime.
• Maintain a clean and orderly facility in control house, yard, and equipment areas.
• Conduct pre-shift and post-shift inspections and document findings.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA and EPA regulations, including dust control, emissions, and LOTO.
• Participate in safety meetings and mitigate hazards.
• Maintain daily production logs and maintenance records via company software.
• Assist in training Laborers and sharing technical knowledge of plant systems.
• Act as primary contact between plant, QC lab, and dispatch office to ensure orders are completed accurately.

Skills

OSHA compliance

EPA regulations

Technical aptitude

Mechanical aptitude

Asphalt plant knowledge

Detail oriented

Time management

Effective communicator

Education

High school diploma / GED / relevant experience

Tools

Arc welders

Cutting torches

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Plant Operator is responsible for the safe, efficient, and high-quality production of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) and Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA). This role involves operating a computerized plant control system to regulate the flow of raw materials into the mixing process. The Operator is expected to possess advanced troubleshooting skills, perform preventative and corrective maintenance on stationary equipment, and ensure all mixes meet strict Quality Control (QC) and Department of Transportation (DOT) specifications. This individual acts as a key steward of Martin Marietta's Guardian Angel safety culture, ensuring a zero-injury environment while maximizing production uptime.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operate automated plant control systems to monitor and adjust the flow of materials, temperatures, and mixing times.
• Ensure the precise blending of aggregates and liquid asphalt cement according to specific mix designs provided by Quality Control.
• Oversee the loading of asphalt into haul trucks, ensuring correct weights, legal load limits, and efficient traffic flow within the yard.
• Monitor levels of liquid AC (asphalt cement), fuel, and aggregate stockpiles; coordinate with the Loader Operator to ensure the plant remains fed.
• Perform advanced maintenance on conveyors, baghouses, drum dryers, screens, and elevator systems. This includes replacing bearings, adjusting belts, and repairing liners.
• Utilize arc welders and cutting torches to perform structural repairs and equipment modifications as needed.
• Identify and troubleshoot electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical malfunctions to minimize plant downtime during peak production hours.
• Maintain a clean and orderly facility, including the control house, yard, and equipment areas, to prevent safety hazards and environmental spills.
• Conduct comprehensive pre-shift and post-shift inspections of the plant and mobile equipment (skid steers, loaders, water trucks) and document findings.
• Ensure strict compliance with OSHA, and EPA regulations, specifically regarding dust control, emissions, and lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures.
• Proactively identify and mitigate workplace hazards; participate in safety meetings.
• Maintain accurate daily production logs, maintenance records, and fuel/oil usage reports via company software.
• Assist in the training and development of Laborers, sharing technical knowledge of plant systems.
• Function as the primary point of contact between the plant, the QC lab, and the dispatch office to ensure customer orders are completed accurately and timely.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: High school diploma, GED, or relevant experience.
• Work Experience: 10 years of experience in Asphalt Plant Operations or a Heavy Industrial Manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • OSHA compliance and regulations.
  • EPA.
  • Technical aptitude.
  • Mechanical aptitude.
  • Asphalt plant knowledge.
  • Detail oriented.
  • Time management.
  • Effective communicator (written and spoken).

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. for plant maintenance and equipment servicing.
• Required to bend, stoop, climb, and reach. You must be able to maintain three points of contact when climbing on/off machinery or on ladders.
• Strong hand-eye-foot coordination is essential for operating hand/foot controls.
• You must have good depth perception with or without seeing aid for distances up to 150 feet.

Working Conditions

• All duties require outside assignments and require periods of work in all weather conditions, cold, wet, dry and dusty.
• Must be able to work in areas where noise levels are up to 85 dbs.
• This is a union-represented position.

The current hourly rate for this position is $65.98, as established by the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Additional compensation, premiums, and benefits may apply in accordance with the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

Company Overview

A member of the S&P 500 Index, Martin Marietta is an American-based company and a leading supplier of heavy building materials - including aggregates, cement, ready-mixed concrete and asphalt. Through a network of operations spanning 28 states, Canada and the Bahamas, dedicated Martin Marietta teams supply the foundational resources upon which our communities thrive. Martin Marietta's Magnesia Specialties business produces high-purity magnesia and dolomitic lime products used worldwide in environmental, industrial, agricultural and specialty applications.

At Martin Marietta, we strive to work with the best and the brightest - those who have the potential to become our company's future leaders. Each of our roughly 9,500 people shares a common purpose regardless of their professional role or work environment. Together, we utilize our diverse skills and experiences to drive our company and its extraordinary culture forward. Our aim is to build on our foundation of success and help values-driven and hardworking people realize their full potential. When you decide to invest your career in Martin Marietta, you'll know what it's like to be respected, challenged and rewarded. In return, we offer a highly competitive benefits package, including:

• Medical
• Prescription Drug
• Dental
• Vision
• Health Care Reimbursement Account
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Account
• Wellness Programs
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Paid Holidays and Vacation
• 401(k) with Company matching
• Pension Salary Continuation - Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability OptionsEmployee Life Insurance
• Spouse & Dependent Life Insurance
• Business Travel Accident Insurance
• Direct Deposit Payroll
• Educational/Tuition Assistance Plan
• College Scholarship Program - for dependent children
• Matching Gift Program
• New Auto Purchase Discount Plans

Equal Opportunity Commitment

At Martin Marietta, we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all qualified applicants and teammates.

We celebrate diversity and commit that qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.