Plant Technician

Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance; Fort Dodge (IA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

POET in Gowrie, IA, is seeking a Plant Technician to operate plant processing equipment in a highly automated facility. This on-site role requires 12-hour shifts (days 7am–7pm, nights 7pm–7am) with rotation every six weeks.

Responsibilities include basic maintenance, QA sampling, logging, and SOP adherence. The candidate will use the DCS, perform basic electrical troubleshooting, and support preventive maintenance while maintaining safety and sanitation protocols.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Plant Technician I: experience in a production environment preferred.
• Plant Technician II: documented performance as Plant Technician I or equivalent.
• Plant Technician III: documented proficiency in listed skills.
• Working knowledge of math, reading comprehension and mechanical reasoning.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with software systems such as Maximo preferred.
• Excellent organizational, time management and communication skills; ability to learn new programs.

Responsibilities

• Operate plant processes and maintain operations as required.
• Perform maintenance and basic repairs of plant equipment and document activities.
• Operate the DCS for the plant.
• Safely perform basic electrical troubleshooting.
• Follow SOPs for start-up, shut-down, cleaning, and batching.
• Maintain accurate and timely logs.
• Collect and test QA/QC samples and document results in data system.
• Assist in preventive and predictive maintenance on equipment.
• Keep plant clean following sanitation schedule and tasks.
• Notify management of safety, environmental, quality and production concerns.
• Foster safe behavior and environmental compliance.
• Maintain and advance food safety and quality of POET’s products and processes.

Skills

Math

Reading comprehension

Mechanical reasoning

Troubleshooting

Maximo

MS Office

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Plant Technician I

Plant Technician II

Plant Technician III

Tools

DCS (Distributed Control System)

Forklift operation

Job description

The Plant Technician is responsible for the operation of all plant processing equipment and performing routine basic maintenance in a highly automated chemical facility. In the area of maintenance, Plant Technicians are responsible for the safe and efficient maintenance, basic repair, and cleaning of all equipment associated with bioprocessing processes. At times, Plant Technicians may be asked to assist Maintenance Technicians in more technical and complex maintenance procedures. Team members in this position are required to maintain knowledge of the process flow, computerized equipment, and be aware of hazards associated with the process as well as understand and execute standard operating procedures (SOPs). 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.

Schedule: Days 7am-7pm & Nights 7pm-7am (Rotation every 6 weeks)

This is an on-site role located in Gowrie, IA.

Responsibilities include:

• 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 to 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.
• Foster a culture of safe behavior and environmental compliance at all times.
• Maintain and advance the food safety and quality of POET’s products and processes to deliver a best-in-class culture of quality.
• Since we’re all about teamwork and getting the job done, your skills 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 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.
• You know the basics of Microsoft Office Suite. You’re capable of learning new programs.

A SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE

• High level of personal integrity
• Interpersonal skills – ability to effectively interact with individuals at all levels within/outside the organization
• Ability to embrace and promote change
• Innovative mindset
• Ability to think objectively
• Self-awareness in the face of uncertainty
• Ability to work in a team environment

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, steel-toed boots, hazardous material suit, 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 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 our 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 teamwork, you may be asked to help other roles that have their own unique set of physical requirements.
• 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.