Plant Operator, Digester to RNG Facility

Opal Fuels; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 50,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

OPAL Fuels in Utah is seeking a Plant Operator to ensure safe, reliable day-to-day operation of a digester-based RNG facility. You will monitor digestion, gas production, equipment reliability, and regulatory compliance while maintaining high safety and environmental standards.

The role involves preventive maintenance, routine inspections, and on-call coverage with a Monday–Friday schedule and possible overtime.

Qualifications

• Experience in industrial operations, wastewater treatment, RNG, or related processes.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot equipment.
• Ability to interpret process data and gas quality metrics.
• Commitment to safety, environmental compliance, and site standards.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and maintain digester and RNG upgrading systems for stable production.
• Perform daily equipment inspections including meters, gas chromatographs, levels, pressures, temperatures, alarms.
• Start, stop, and adjust plant equipment per procedures.
• Monitor digester health indicators such as temperature, mixing, feed rates, gas output.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance and repairs on pumps, blowers, compressors, and upgrading equipment.
• Maintain accurate production and maintenance records.
• Identify hazards and address promptly.
• Communicate equipment status and issues to supervision.
• Assist with onboarding and training of new Plant Operators.

Skills

Industrial operations

Mechanical aptitude

Data interpretation

Team collaboration

Safety and compliance

Tools

Pumps

Blowers

Compressors

Instrumentation

MS Office

Job description

Position Summary: The Plant Operator is a critical onsite role responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient day‑to‑day operation of a digester‑based Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) facility. This position ensures stable digestion, consistent gas production, equipment reliability, and regulatory compliance while maintaining high standards of safety, housekeeping, and environmental stewardship. Operators support production continuity, minimize downtime, and uphold professional site standards through active monitoring, preventive maintenance, and clear communication with plant leadership.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Operations & Monitoring

• Operate, monitor, and maintain all digester and RNG upgrading systems to ensure stable and efficient production.
• Perform daily equipment inspections, including checks of flow meters, gas chromatographs, fluid levels, pressures, temperatures, alarms, and abnormal noises or vibrations.
• Start, stop, and adjust plant equipment in accordance with approved procedures and operational requirements.
• Monitor digester health indicators such as temperature, mixing, feed rates, and gas output.

Maintenance & Reliability

• Perform routine preventive maintenance and corrective repairs on pumps, blowers, compressors, mixers, and upgrading equipment.
• Participate in scheduled preventive maintenance outages.
• Maintain accurate records of production data, equipment run hours, maintenance activities, service schedules, and equipment outages.
• Identify mechanical, electrical, or environmental hazards and address or elevate promptly.

Housekeeping & Site Standards

• Maintain a high level of cleanliness throughout the plant.
• Prevent oil and fluid accumulation on unit skids, floors, and surrounding soil; promptly clean up spills.
• Keep plant yards, walkways, and perimeter fencing clear of weeds, vegetation, and debris.
• Ensure unloading, staging, and material‑handling areas remain organized and free of hazards.

Safety & Environmental Compliance

• Operate the facility with a continuous focus on safety, environmental stewardship, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure all safety systems, lighting, and walkways are functioning and free of slip, trip, or fall hazards.
• Enforce site safety rules for visitors, contractors, and maintenance personnel.
• Follow all company policies, operating procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Assist in equipment failure investigations and root cause analysis efforts.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on reliability, efficiency, and safety.
• Contribute to the development, review, and revision of standard operating and maintenance procedures.

Communication & Coordination

• Communicate equipment status, operational issues, material needs, and personnel concerns clearly and promptly to supervision.
• Training & Skill Development
• Assist with onboarding and training of new Plant Operators.
• Maintain required qualifications, certifications, and safety/environmental training.

On‑Call & Call‑Out Responsibilities

• Participate in an on‑call rotation to provide off‑hours, weekend, and holiday coverage.
• Respond promptly to alarms, callouts, and emergency notifications.
• Diagnose and correct operational or equipment issues when possible; elevate complex issues to the Plant Manager or support resources.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience in industrial operations, wastewater treatment, biogas, RNG, or related process industries preferred.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot pumps, blowers, compressors, and instrumentation.
• Ability to interpret process data, equipment trends, and gas quality metrics.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office for reporting and documentation.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team‑oriented environment.
• Commitment to safety, environmental compliance, and professional site standards.

Work Hours and Arrangements: Monday - Friday; 8-hour shift; typically 7:30 am - 3:30 am with possibility of overtime, weekend work and on‑call (rotating monthly).

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: The range for this role is anticipated to be $36.00 - $39.00 hourly. Where a specific pay range is noted, it is a good faith estimate at the time of this posting. The actual salary offered will be based on experience, skills, qualifications, market / business considerations, and geographic location.

Employment Relationship Disclosure: This position is being advertised by OPAL Fuels for recruitment purposes. The individual selected for this position will not be employed by either OPAL Fuels Inc. or OPAL Fuels LLC. The successful candidate will be employed through Paychex, a Professional Employer Organization (PEO), in connection with Wasatch Resource Recovery, LLC, by its Manager, ALPRO SD, LLC. Nothing in this job posting should be construed as an offer of employment with, or the creation of an employment relationship with either OPAL Fuels Inc. or OPAL Fuels LLC.

OPAL Fuels does not accept unsolicited resumes from third‑party recruiters or agencies without a current signed agreement and written confirmation specifying the roles for which submissions are authorized. Any resumes submitted without an agreement and authorization will be considered the property of OPAL Fuels.