Plant Operator

Koch; Wever (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Koch Fertilizer in Wever, IA is seeking a Plant Operator to join our Ammonia, UREA, UAN, Nitric Acid & Utilities Operations teams. This role involves controlling equipment and monitoring the production process to ensure safety and efficiency.

The position requires rotating 12-hour shifts on a 4-5-5 rotation, outdoors in all weather conditions, with potential overtime and callouts. We value ownership, continuous improvement, and team collaboration for long-term growth.

Qualifications

• Willingness to work rotating shifts.
• Ability to walk 20,000 steps daily on various surfaces.
• Outdoor work in all weather conditions.
• Climbing ladders and stairs to heights over 100 feet.
• Work in confined spaces and wear PPE as required.

Responsibilities

• Process Monitoring & Control: monitor and control plant units to ensure optimal performance and safety.
• Coordination & Communication: work with Maintenance, Lab, and other departments for smooth plant operation.
• Safety and Environmental Commitment: uphold safety and environmental policies in all tasks.
• Documentation & Improvement: review and update operating manuals and SOPs for accuracy and safety.
• Learning & Development: continuously gain knowledge of process unit areas and board operations.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Team-based environment

Automated operating systems

Forklift operation

Regulatory knowledge

Fertilizer experience

Tools

Forklift

Telehandler

Job description

Your Job

Koch Fertilizer in Wever, IA is looking for a Plant Operator to join our Ammonia, UREA, UAN, Nitric Acid & Utilities Operations teams! This is more than a job — it’s an opportunity to build a long-term career in fertilizer operations with a team that values ownership, initiative, and continuous improvement. In this role, the Operator controls equipment systems that process chemical substances into specified products and monitors the production process to ensure safety of personnel & efficiency of systems and equipment.

We are looking for someone who takes ownership of their work, looks for better ways to do things, brings problems forward, and is motivated to grow their capabilities over time within our operations team. Your responsibilities and opportunities will grow as you demonstrate capability — we expand decision rights, or authorities, for people who take ownership, build skills, apply what they learn, and contribute to the team’s success.

This role is not just about completing assigned tasks or earning certifications. Certifications and pay progression are tied to the results you deliver through demonstrated capability in the role. We recognize and invest in people who apply what they learn, take on more responsibility, and help the team improve.

The assigned work is outdoors in all types of weather conditions. The operator works 12-hour shifts on a 4-5-5 rotation alternating between 4-5 days or nights on, followed by 4-5 days off. This role will occasionally need to respond to callouts and work overtime as needed.

Our Team

Our team values collaboration, continuous improvement, and a strong safety culture. You will work closely with other operators, maintenance personnel, and engineers to ensure the smooth operation of our facility.

What You Will Do

• Process Monitoring & Control: Monitor and control plant units to ensure optimal performance. Safely startup, operate, and shutdown equipment, subsystems, and the entire unit when necessary.
• Coordination & Communication: Coordinate and collaborate with Maintenance, Lab, and other service departments for smooth running of the plant. Communicate any abnormalities or process deviations to control room/supervisors immediately.
• Safety and Environmental Commitment: Demonstrate a strong commitment to safety and environmental policies, ensuring safe and efficient work practices.
• Documentation & Improvement: Assist the Operations team by periodically reviewing and suggesting updates to operational manuals, SOP’s and SOCL for accuracy. Make changes to the operating process as necessary to ensure safety, plant stability and maintain product quality.
• Learning & Development: Commit to continuous learning and improvement through gaining comprehensive knowledge of all process unit areas and board operations.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Willingness to work rotating shifts, including nights and weekends.
• Willing and Able to meet all physical requirements:
  • Ability to walk 20,000 steps or more daily on concrete, gravel, and metal grated floors.
  • Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
  • Climbing ladders and stairs to heights in excess of 100 feet.
  • Ladder cages are tight spaces with minimal width, must be able to confidently climb ladders with little room to maneuver.
  • Rapidly climbing over 200 stairs when required.
  • Turning gate and ball valves requiring 50 or more pounds of force up to 10 minutes continuously for gate valves.
  • Turn numerous ball valves at rapid pace at knee level and above head height.
  • Work in extreme temperatures in personal protective equipment (PPE) frequently.
  • Bending, reaching, and working crossbody with tools frequently.
  • Lifting and carrying equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Wearing a respirator when/where required to perform inspections/job duties.
  • Entering in and working in confined spaces.
  • Wear a self-contained breathing apparatus and possible level A chemical suit as required.

What Will Put You Ahead

• Mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting experience
• Experience working in a team-based, safety-critical environment
• Ability to operate automated operating systems.
• Ability to operate mobile equipment (forklift, telehandler, etc.).
• Knowledge in local, state, and federal environmental regulations.
• Fertilizer experience.

This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.

Hiring Philosophy

All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.

Who We Are

As a Koch Ag & Energy Solutions company, Koch Fertilizer delivers a full line of fertilizers designed to boost crop performance and help growers reach their yields. Our team also brings logistical expertise and a wide range of invaluable services, from delivered freight and logistics capabilities to online shipment tracking.

At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

Our Benefits

• Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance.

Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.

Equal Opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aquí, or tu).