Plant Operator Trainee

Koch Fertilizer; Dodge City (KS); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Vacation time

401K

Health benefits

4 on/4 off schedule

Job summary

Koch Fertilizer Dodge City, LLC is seeking a Plant Operator Trainee to join our team in Dodge City, KS. The role offers hands-on training in an industrial fertilizer operation, with opportunities to learn across production, quality testing, inspections, and equipment maintenance.

Trainees will work 4 on/4 off, 12-hour shifts, with emphasis on safety and process discipline, while gaining experience in monitoring plant parameters and driving continuous improvement in operations.

Responsibilities

• Performing tasks associated with safe production of fertilizer products.
• Monitoring plant parameters and identify opportunities for correction and/or improvement.
• Gathering samples and performing product tests to ensure quality.
• Initiating daily inspections and walk down of critical equipment.
• Performing minor maintenance on manufacturing equipment and support equipment.
• Leveraging technology and systems to gather and interpret critical data points to the daily operation of the facility.

Job description

Koch Fertilizer Dodge City, LLC is looking for a Plant Operator Trainee to join our team. This is a great opportunity to learn about an industrial setting without any previous experience and grow a career! Whether you're coming from manufacturing, agriculture, construction, military service, transportation, or another hands‑on industry, we'll provide the training needed to build a long‑term career in fertilizer operations.

Our Benefits Package Includes:

• Pay rates starting at $28/hr
• Immediate Vacation Available – 120-hour annual allotment
• Bonus eligibility – Including a $3,000 Sign‑on bonus!
• Automatic 401K company contribution along with competitive matching program
• Excellent Health benefit options

Trainees will have hands on learning experience while working our 4 on/4 off, 12-hour shift, alternating days & nights.

What You Will Do

Performing tasks associated with safe production of fertilizer products, in an environmentally compliant and efficient manner following all plant policies and procedures Monitoring plant parameters (SOCL, Safe Operating Control Limits) and identify opportunities for correction and/or improvement Gathering samples and performing product tests to ensure quality Initiating daily inspections and walk down of critical equipment Performing minor maintenance on manufacturing equipment and support equipment Leveraging technology and systems to gather and interpret critical data points to the daily operation of the facility Proactively and deliberately advance the Principled Based Management (PBM®) culture within the team by demonstrating ownership, continuous learning, sound judgment, and a commitment to safe and efficient operations.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Work a rotating 12-hour shift including weekends, holidays, overtime, and callouts
• Legal authorization to work permanently in the United States for any employer without requiring a visa transfer or visa sponsorship.

Physical Requirements:

• Required to wear any or all of the following PPE: safety glasses, hearing protection, goggles, hard hats, FRC, acid suits, breathing air, gloves, safety boots, respirators, and encapsulated suits. PPE use is in accordance with the Job Safety Analysis (JSA) for a given task
• Ability to lift a minimum of 50lbs
• Work in hot, cold, and inclement climate conditions and congested areas
• Climb stairs, ladders, ladders on vessels and columns, ladders associated with scaffolds in excess of 160 feet

What Will Put You Ahead

• Experience and application of safe work practices – Lock Out, Tag Out (LOTO); Job Safety Analysis (JSA)

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 ourbusiness 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. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here , aquí , or tu ).