Position: Operator

Department: Production

Reports To: Production Manager

Work Schedule: Rotating 12 hour shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays

Location: Ravenna, Nebraska

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Hourly or Salary: Hourly

Employment Status: Full-time                           

Job Summary

The Operator’s primary duties are ensuring the plant is running efficiently in the following areas: hammermills, boilers, centrifuges, distillation, dehydration, evaporation, cooling tower and methanator. 

Role

KAAPA Ethanol Ravenna, LLC employee and team member

Essential Functions

• Establish and maintain the highest integrity of KAAPA Ethanol Holdings, LLC.
• Maintain confidentiality of all KAAPA Ethanol Holdings, LLC information.
• Work with all employees and represent KAAPA Ethanol Holdings, LLC in a professional and respectful manner.
• Comply with and follow all corporate guidelines.

• Ensure a safe workplace by attending all safety meetings, following all safety policies, and strictly adhering to all standard precautions and practices established to reduce the potential of occupational exposures.

• Practice the proper use and treatment of all KAAPA Ethanol Holdings, LLC equipment and property.
• Consult with the prior shift operators before beginning each shift including reviewing records and checking the current status.
• Accurately and promptly complete all log books and other daily record keeping tasks.

• Test and record findings on all required equipment as designated on the log sheet
• Complete required tests and record information for the dryer, distillation, evaporation, boiler chemistry, dehydration, cook, fermentation, and yeast propagation.
• Extract samples lab for analysis. (alcohol, syrup, etc.).
• Check enzyme pumps every hour and check enzyme rates four times per shift, record or calibrate information as required.
• Check and report the CIP tank strength before the end of each shift.
• Visually inspect and clean fermenters each time they are emptied and CIP propagators on an as determined by management basis.
• Report any discrepancies or variances to the crew chief as soon as you become aware of them.
• Be aware of which grain bin is being filled and emptied.
• Ensure all areas of the plant are orderly by cleaning the area after each job is completed.
• Keep current on the status of all operating equipment in your section such as:
• Water to pump seals
• Oil in pump glasses
• Vibration of pumps or motors
• Levels in critical tanks
• Evaporator
• Distillation
• Listening for unusual noises
• Keep informed on hazardous conditions of any kind, including:
• Bases-caustic, ammonia
• Acids-sulfuric, sulfamic, phosphoric
• High pressure and/or temperatures (I.E.: steam, condensate, distillate, syrup, thin stillage)
• Grabbing of hot samples-cook area, cip
• Use of hot water-flush water, steam
• Chemical barrel wash-versene, antifoam, Bleach
• Process equipment- couplers, mixers
• Chemical spill containment-acid, caustic
• Additional area as identified by safety committee members
• Participate in cross-training opportunities to expand skills and knowledge at KAAPA Ethanol Ravenna, LLC.
• Assist other operators in loading DWGS trucks as yard traffic dictates additional help. 
• Assist other operators in loading railcars and alcohol trucks and unloading denaturant as required.
• Other duties not listed herein, but which need to be accomplished to maintain safe and timely day-to-day operations within the plant.

Qualifications & Skills

Education, License and/ or Certification:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• Valid driver’s license in the state of Nebraska required and insurable with KAAPA Ethanol, LLC vehicle insurance policy

Technical Skills:

• Knowledge of grain handling systems is preferred

Communication Skills:

• Ability to read and communicate effectively in English
• Knowledge of railcars or trackmobile beneficial

Computer Skills:

• Basic computer experience

Physical & Work Environment

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to exert up to 75 lbs. of force occasionally, up to 50 lbs. of force frequently, and up to 35 lbs. of force constantly to move objects.
• Frequent moderate lifting, pulling, pushing, climbing and carrying
• Requires both simple and firm grasping and some fine manipulating
• Ability to distinguish most colors but specifically the following colors: red, green, yellow, blue

Work Environment:

• Indoors and outdoors with exposure to extreme temperatures and proper personal protective equipment where applicable.

Acknowledgement

KAAPA Ethanol Holdings, LLC maintains a Drug Free Workplace and employees must pass a physical, eye examination, and drug/alcohol test prior to employment.