Assistant Plant Operator

Description
As an Assistant Plant Operator, you will support the safe and reliable operation of a power generation facility by operating plant equipment, monitoring material-handling and water systems, performing inspections, and assisting with preventive maintenance and troubleshooting. This is a hands-on industrial role that combines plant operations with mechanical support and provides a clear path toward higher-level Operations & Maintenance and Maintenance Technician responsibilities.
The strongest candidates will bring transferable experience from power generation, industrial manufacturing, process plants, utilities, mining/material handling, heavy equipment, or military technical environments. Success in this role requires comfort working in a true plant environment around rotating equipment, conveyors, mobile equipment, mechanical systems, tools, dust, noise, weather exposure, and strict safety procedures.
Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, start up, and shut down assigned material-handling and water systems in local control modes to support safe and efficient plant production
• Maintain adequate material flow through gob and limestone systems
• Perform preventive maintenance on gob and limestone systems during normal operations, maintenance assignments, and outages
• Conduct routine equipment inspections, identify abnormal conditions, troubleshoot issues, and communicate findings to the Shift Supervisor
• Maintain strong housekeeping standards in assigned plant areas and identify potential safety hazards
• Assist O&M Technicians and maintenance personnel with plant work as required
• Use hand and power tools safely to support basic maintenance, adjustment, and repair activities
• Support work involving mobile equipment and mechanical machinery under appropriate supervision
• Read and apply basic mechanical drawings, schematics, operating procedures, and plant instructions
• Develop technical knowledge and qualifications for progression into O&M Technician and/or Maintenance Technician responsibilities
• Work rotating shifts and remain available for emergency call-ins, relief coverage, overtime, and temporary maintenance assignments

Must-Have Skills, Experience, and Education

• High school diploma, vocational school diploma, or equivalent
• Hands-on mechanical, industrial, plant operations, maintenance, heavy equipment, utilities, or comparable military technical experience
• Working knowledge of general mechanical equipment, basic maintenance functions, and operating procedures
• Ability to perform inspections, basic troubleshooting, and corrective actions in an industrial plant environment
• Demonstrated ability to use hand tools and power tools safely
• Basic understanding of mechanical drawings and schematics
• Strong safety awareness and willingness to work around industrial equipment, material-handling systems, and plant hazards
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Valid driver's license and ability to meet site driving requirements
• Ability and willingness to work rotating shifts, emergency call-ins, relief duty, and maintenance assignments

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Power generation, industrial manufacturing, process plant, mining/material-handling, utilities, or heavy industrial experience
• Experience with conveyors, pumps, valves, water systems, mobile equipment, motors, gearboxes, or related plant equipment
• Military experience in engineering, power generation, mechanical maintenance, utilities, construction equipment, or other plant-transferable technical specialties
• Experience in a safety-regulated, 24/7 operating environment