Plant Operator
bp · Providence Forge, VA
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- On site
- Full-time
- $52,000 / year
- Providence Forge, VA
Job highlights
- Operate and maintain engine generator sets up to 1500kW.
- Perform facility inspections, maintenance, and repairs.
- Monitor plant systems and adjust controls for performance.
- Respond to alarms and execute shut-down/start-up procedures.
- Ensure compliance with permits and maintain required reporting.
About the role
About Archaea
Archaea Energy, a leader in the landfill gas to energy industry, has an immediate opening for a Plant Operator. We are looking for candidates with 1-5 years of operation & maintenance experience on mobile or stationary engine generator sets up to 1500 kW. Specific experience monitoring plant operations, performing maintenance and repairs on CAT G3500 and G3600 gas engines or similar piston engines, controls, generators, and ancillary equipment is desired.
Introductory Employment Period
Your employment with Archaea will begin with an introductory period of 90 days. This period is intended to support your transition into the role and provide an opportunity for both you and the Company to ensure a strong mutual fit. During this time, we’ll work together to assess how your performance, conduct, and reliability align with expectations and organizational values, while also offering guidance and feedback to help you succeed.
Role Expectations During Introductory Period
Your supervisor will evaluate your ability to meet role expectations, including:
- Consistent and timely attendance
- Quality and accuracy of work
- Ability to meet deadlines and productivity standards
- Adherence to company policies, procedures, and the bp Code of Conduct
- Professional behavior and collaboration
Upon successful demonstration of satisfactory performance, your continued at-will employment will be confirmed. Failure to meet these criteria may result in termination at the end of the probationary period. Please note that employment is at-will, meaning either party may terminate employment at any time, with or without cause or notice.
Responsibilities and Duties
- Demonstrate strong dedication to our safety culture.
- Perform facility inspections, maintenance, and repairs of plant equipment.
- Monitor and adjust plant system controls to improve performance and prevent equipment failure.
- Respond to plant alarms with designated supervision to learn corrective actions and implement plant shut-down and start-up procedures.
- Maintain plant compliance with state and federal permitting requirements, completing all required reporting.
- Perform maintenance tasks, such as repairing or replacing worn or broken parts and equipment.
- Complete administrative duties including daily, weekly, and monthly logs and reports on unit conditions, maintenance, operations, performance, and downtime.
- Maintain, order, and purchase an inventory of tools, parts, fluids, and other supplies for plant operations.
- Communicate and coordinate plant activities with clients (utility company and landfill personnel).
- Assist other Company facilities as advised by management.
- Complete all Company and regulatory training.
- Perform random security inspections and various security checks around the plant.
- Perform landfill tuning duties, recording and storing data as needed.
- Adjust/tune well fields to improve gas quantity and quality.
Qualifications and Skills
- Steadfast dedication to safety and ability to positively represent the company’s safety culture.
- 1-5 years of operation and maintenance experience on mobile or stationary engine generator sets up to 1500kW.
- Ability to read and interpret operations and safety manuals, analyze and apply basic troubleshooting and repair techniques on plant equipment.
- Digital literacy including Word, Excel, PLC, and email systems.
- Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision.
- Overtime may be required to meet various business needs.
- Ability to lift up to 60 lbs, crouch, bend, and kneel for extended periods, and work in an environment with constant loud noises and extreme heat.
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Valid driver’s license required.
- Pre-employment drug test and background check required.
- This role is a safety-sensitive position. Post-offer candidates must submit to and pass pre-employment drug testing.
Pay & Benefits
- Base Pay: $24 - $25/hour
- Paid Vacation: 120 – 240 hours/year (full-time); 60 - 240 hours/year (part-time), depending on relevant industry experience.
- Paid Holidays: 9 paid holidays per year plus 2 personal choice holidays.
- Parental Leave: Up to 8 weeks paid leave for birth or adoption.
- Annual Bonus Program
- Long-Term Incentive Program
- Retirement Benefits: 401k matching program (may include pension for eligible employees).
- Wellbeing Package: Health, vision, and dental insurance, as well as life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.
Key skills/competency
- Plant Operations
- Maintenance and Repair
- Engine Generator Sets
- CAT G3500/G3600 Engines
- Troubleshooting
- PLC Systems
- Safety Culture
- Equipment Monitoring
- Report Generation
- Inventory Management
Skills & topics
- Plant Operator
- Operations
- Maintenance
- Engine Generator Sets
- CAT Engines
- PLC
- Troubleshooting
- Safety
- Industrial Equipment
- Landfill Gas to Energy
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight 1-5 years of operation and maintenance experience on engine generator sets, referencing CAT G3500/G3600 or similar engines, and digital literacy (Word, Excel, PLC).
- Emphasize safety: Clearly state your steadfast dedication to safety culture and ability to represent the company positively in your application and during interviews.
- Showcase troubleshooting skills: Detail your experience with interpreting manuals, basic troubleshooting, and repair techniques for plant equipment.
- Prepare for physical demands: Be ready to discuss your ability to lift 60 lbs, work in loud, hot environments, and perform tasks requiring crouching, bending, and kneeling.
- Highlight independence: Mention your ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as this is a key requirement for the Plant Operator role.
Technical preparation
Study CAT G3500/G3600 engine manuals.,Practice troubleshooting common generator set issues.,Familiarize with PLC control system basics.,Review plant operations and safety procedures.
Behavioral questions
Describe a time you ensured safety compliance.,How do you handle equipment malfunctions independently?,Share an example of improving plant performance.,How do you communicate technical issues to clients?
Frequently asked questions
- What are the minimum qualifications for the Plant Operator position at Archaea Energy?
- The minimum qualifications for the Plant Operator role include 1-5 years of operation and maintenance experience on engine generator sets up to 1500kW, digital literacy (Word, Excel, PLC, email), a high school diploma or equivalent, and a valid driver's license. A steadfast dedication to safety is also crucial.
- What specific engine experience is preferred for the Plant Operator job?
- While experience with CAT G3500 and G3600 gas engines or similar piston engines is desired, the role requires 1-5 years of experience on mobile or stationary engine generator sets up to 1500kW. Demonstrating strong maintenance and repair skills on such equipment is key.
- What is the pay range for the Plant Operator position at bp (Archaea Energy)?
- The pay range for this Plant Operator position is $24 - $25 per hour. This is a genuinely expected and reasonable estimate of the base compensation.
- Does Archaea Energy offer benefits for the Plant Operator role?
- Yes, bp (Archaea Energy) offers a comprehensive benefits package. This includes paid vacation, paid holidays, parental leave, a discretionary annual bonus program, long-term incentive program, 401k matching, and access to health, vision, dental, life, and disability insurance.
- What are the physical requirements for the Plant Operator position?
- Plant Operators must be able to lift up to 60 lbs, crouch, bend, and kneel for extended periods. They must also be able to work in an environment with constant loud noises and extreme heat. A pre-employment drug test is also required.
- Is this a safety-sensitive position at Archaea Energy?
- Yes, this role is designated as a safety-sensitive position. Candidates who receive an offer must submit to and pass a pre-employment drug test that screens for prohibited substances.
- What is the introductory employment period for a new Plant Operator?
- Your employment will begin with a 90-day introductory period. This allows both you and Archaea Energy to assess the fit regarding performance, conduct, reliability, and alignment with company values, while also providing support and feedback.