Plant Operator

POET; Mitchell (SD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive bonus programs

PTO & holidays

Health, dental, vision insurance

401K with company match

Paid parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Wellness program

Onsite fitness centers

Job summary

POET in Mitchell, SD is seeking Plant Technicians to operate and maintain the bioprocessing plant on 12-hour shifts. You will manage plant processes, perform system start-ups and shut-downs, and document QA/QC results while maintaining logs and safety standards.

Responsibilities include basic electrical troubleshooting, routine maintenance, and collaboration with a safety-conscious team. Training provided; opportunity for growth within POET’s operations network.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Plant Technician I–III experience as applicable or progression.
• Proficiency in plant operation and documentation.
• Strong math, reading comprehension, and mechanical reasoning.
• Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills required.
• Experience with software systems such as Maximo preferred.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills; ability to adapt.
• Microsoft Office proficiency and willingness to learn new programs.

Responsibilities

• Continuous plant operation requires 12-hour shift work.
• Adapt to 12-hour days and meet call-in requirements.
• Maintain and operate processes in the plant.
• Perform maintenance and basic repairs on equipment and document activities.
• Operate the DCS (Distributed Control System) for the plant.
• Safely perform basic electrical troubleshooting.
• Follow start-up, shut-down, cleaning, and batching procedures.
• Maintain logs and document QA/QC results.
• Assist in preventive/predictive maintenance of plant equipment.
• Support sanitation and safety programs; communicate concerns to leadership.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Mechanical reasoning

Math & reading comprehension

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Adaptability

Teamwork

Learning new programs

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Maximo

DCS systems

Power systems

Job description

ABOUT POET

At POET, it is our mission to be good stewards of the Earth by converting renewable resources to energy and other valuable goods as effectively as humanly possible. For over thirty years our drive and passion to change the world has enabled us to become the largest producer and marketer of bioethanol and a leader in sustainable products in the world.

BENEFITS & PERKS

• Eligible Team Members may receive $$ Competitive BONUS opportunities - up to SIX bonuses per year (Quarterly Profit Sharing & Value Share)
• Paid time off and paid holidays - 40 hours of PTO available on Day 1, on top of a biweekly PTO accrual program!
• Comprehensive benefits package; Individual and family plans for health, dental, & vision insurance, including a generous employer Health Savings Account contribution
• Competitive pay, including shift premium pay for qualifying positions
• 401K with company match
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Attractive Relocation Assistance and Bonus Programs for qualifying positions and/or locations
• Safety and cold weather gear reimbursements
• Discounted home and auto insurance
• All POET Team Members enjoy
• A multifaceted wellness program encompassing the whole person – mentally, physically, and spiritually
• 'Family-first' culture
• Onsite fitness centers or fitness reimbursements

JOB SUMMARY & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Continuous plant operation requires 12-hour shift work.
• Plant Technicians must be able to adapt to 12-hour workdays and be able to meet call-in requirements as needed.
• Use your knowledge to maintain and operate all processes associated with the plant where required.
• Perform maintenance and basic repairs of plant equipment and document these activities.
• Operate the DCS (Distributed Control System) for the plant.
• Safely perform basic electrical troubleshooting.
• Follow procedures for plant start-up, shut-down, cleaning, and batching.
• Maintain accurate and timely logs.
• Collect and test quality control samples, interpret QA/QC results and make adjustments to optimize plant operations, timely and accurately document results and enter results into our data collection system, PI.
• Assist in removal, installation, rebuild, and performance of preventive and predictive maintenance on all equipment associated with plant processes.
• Help keep your plant clean by following the sanitation schedule and completing all tasks as assigned.
• Notify the management team of safety, environmental, quality, and production concerns, problems, and opportunities.
• Keep your plant safe by fostering a culture of safe behavior and environmental compliance.
• Maintain a team environment at all times and champion POET in the community.
• Since we’re all about teamwork and getting the job done, your skill may be put to a lot of other uses!

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience requirements: Plant Technician I: experience in a production environment preferred.
• Plant Technician II: Documented successful performance as a Plant Technician I or equivalent work experience required.
• Plant Technician III: Documented proficiency in the skills listed in the Plant Technician III Skills Checklist.
• Working knowledge in math, reading comprehension, and mechanical reasoning is required.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills are required.
• Experience with software systems, such as Maximo, preferred.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills as well as the ability to embrace change.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills as well as the ability to embrace change.
• You have the ability to understand the technical and day-to-day operation of a bioprocessing facility.
• You know the basics of Microsoft Office Suite.
• You’re capable of learning new programs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

Team members will be required to adhere to all safety requirements at all times and in all work environments. This position is exposed to work in multiple environments, including plant, laboratory, and office environments. You may be exposed to high noise levels, moving mechanical parts, dusty conditions, internal and external temperature/weather conditions, and chemicals. Due to the physical and safety-sensitive nature of this job, you will be subject to a physical and expected to pass a drug screen during the pre-screen process. During employment, you’ll be subject to random drug and alcohol testing. This role has some physical requirements that our team members will need to be able to perform, such as:

• Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, steel-toed boots, hazardous material suits, hearing protection, and harness.
• Working at extreme heights (approximately 150 ft), in confined spaces, and in extreme temperatures from -20 to +100 degrees Fahrenheit, both indoors and outdoors.
• Due to the nature of the work, the areas can be dusty at times.
• Must be able to use the following equipment/tools, with training provided (not all-encompassing): forklift, power washer, pallet jack, hoist systems, scissor lifts, JLG lifts, telehandlers, Front-End Loaders, various hand tools, and computers.

Frequently: Sitting in a chair in the Control Room while operating the plant Walk indoors and outdoors, sometimes over rough, uneven, or wet/slick surfaces Carry to up to 15lbs Climb stairs and/or ladders Stand indoors to clean and maintain areas Reach at arm’s length to gather samples Be in awkward back, shoulder, wrists, and hand positions Use coordination and grip, with a force of up to 50lbs Bend while standing Use repetitive arm motions to wipe down and maintain the work area Climb in and out of Powered Industrial Vehicles Occasionally: Lift up to 50lbs, with or without assistance Carry up to 40 lbs, with or without assistance Push with a force of 10lbs, with or without assistance Pull with a force of up to 85lbs, with or without assistance Bend, twist, turn, kneel, and crouch while holding light and medium-weighted objects Since we are all about team work, you may be asked to help other roles that have their own unique set of physical requirements.

CULTURE IS KING AT POET

We’re all on the same team. We always communicate. And we park our egos at the door. These aren’t just slogans on our walls. It’s the way we do things at POET. We provide an environment for team members to maintain a healthy work-life balance. It’s the best way to optimize health, wellness, and productivity in a sustainable way. We work hard. We play hard. We have frequent team events, volunteer efforts, and we know how to celebrate wins!

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

At POET we encourage internal development and growth by allowing team members to carve their own path to success. Leaders support team members with the necessary resources to develop their skills, achieve goals, and create the most value. We believe in developing our team members to their highest potential and recognizing contributions that add value to the organization. Each new team member’s position and compensation are carefully determined by considering their unique qualifications and skillset.

POET is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to maintaining a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, abilities, merit, and other legitimate business factors, without regard to any legally protected characteristic. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, working conditions, promotion, and termination.

Over the past 30 years of bioprocessing leadership, we've assembled the industry's strongest team of engineers, scientists, financial analysts and more. Along the way, we've carefully selected team members who share our core values and pride in everything we do. That's common sense—and it's led to some of the most creative bioprocessing work in the world. The people of POET make working here a challenging, exhilarating place to advance a career. They accomplish great things for millions of Americans and find great satisfaction in helping our country in so many ways.