Assistant Plant Operator

Job Details

Company: Orion Talent
Job Ref: # 1527843
Date Posted: 8/20/2026
Location: Kennerdell, PA
Salary (USD): $25

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

Job Posting