Plant Operator Intern

Koch Business Solutions, LP; Duncombe (IA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Koch Fertilizer offers a summer 2027 Plant Operator Intern opportunity in Fort Dodge, Iowa. This 12‑week internship runs from late May to mid‑August 2027, giving hands‑on exposure to daily plant operations, monitoring, and troubleshooting of production equipment.

Interns will perform rounds, collect data, and work with operations and maintenance teams to improve equipment reliability while following safety procedures in a manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a technical or vocational program related to manufacturing, industrial operations, maintenance, instrumentation, HVAC, or a similar field.
• Eligible for full‑time employment before or by May 2028.
• Willing and able to meet all physical requirements.

Responsibilities

• Support daily plant operations by assisting with the operation, monitoring, and troubleshooting of production equipment.
• Perform operational rounds, monitor process conditions, and record data to help ensure safe and reliable plant performance.
• Partner with operators and maintenance teams to identify issues, support troubleshooting efforts, and improve equipment reliability.
• Follow safety, environmental, and operating procedures while gaining hands‑on experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Work on projects and tasks that are representative of the work performed by our full‑time operators

Job description

Your Job

Koch Fertilizer has a summer 2027 opportunity available in Fort Dodge, Iowa as a Plant Operator Intern.

The internship opportunity will be a 12-week program running from late May to mid-August 2027.

What You Will Do

• Support daily plant operations by assisting with the operation, monitoring, and troubleshooting of production equipment.
• Perform operational rounds, monitor process conditions, and record data to help ensure safe and reliable plant performance.
• Partner with operators and maintenance teams to identify issues, support troubleshooting efforts, and improve equipment reliability.
• Follow safety, environmental, and operating procedures while gaining hands‑on experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Work on projects and tasks that are representative of the work performed by our full‑time operators

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Bending, kneeling, lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Wearing industrial chemical plant uniforms and PPE as required.
• Confined space entry may be required.
• Ability to work in an industrial environment which includes availability for shift work and emergency call outs, while working indoors and outdoors.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Currently enrolled in a technical or vocational program related to manufacturing, industrial operations, maintenance, instrumentation, HVAC, or a similar field.
• Eligible for full‑time employment before or by May 2028
• Willing and able to meet all physical requirements.

What Will Put You Ahead

• Previous experience in a manufacturing or industrial setting or previous military experience.

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 goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. 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.

Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.

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.