Biogas Plant Operator

The Biogas Plant Operator position at California Bioenergy in Hanford, CA, involves maintaining the operational efficiency of a dairy anaerobic digester and associated machinery. Responsibilities include routine maintenance, monitoring gas production, ensuring equipment cleanliness, and adhering to safety standards. The role requires effective communication and teamwork, with performance assessed based on plant efficiency and adherence to company policies. This is a full-time onsite role.
About the position

The Biogas Plant Operator position at California Bioenergy® is a full-time role based in Hanford, CA, where the operator will report directly to the Operations Supervisor. This role is critical in maintaining the operational efficiency of a dairy anaerobic digester and associated equipment, which includes a variety of machinery such as pumps, gas blowers, compressors, oxygen generators, condensers, and chillers. The operator will be responsible for ensuring that all equipment is maintained and cleaned regularly to support optimal performance and safety standards. The operator will adhere to the company's safety program, emphasizing the importance of a safe work environment. This includes demonstrating knowledge of and supporting plant safety, health, and environmental programs in all activities. Daily responsibilities will include maintaining general plant cleanliness, ensuring that compressor skids and oxygen skids are well-kept, and cleaning strainers and wire screens as necessary. The operator will also monitor gas production in anaerobic digesters, focusing on O2 and H2S concentrations, and will conduct daily rounds to check equipment for proper operation, looking for signs of excessive vibration, fluid leaks, and other conditions that may require attention. In addition to routine maintenance, the operator will assist CalBio Operators and outside contractors with onsite maintenance tasks, including media change-outs and large equipment overhauls. Participation in preventative maintenance planning and execution is also a key responsibility. The operator will utilize work management software to write work orders for repairs and scheduled maintenance, ensuring that all tasks are tracked and completed efficiently. Performance in this role will be assessed after the first 90 days and annually thereafter, with metrics focused on plant operating efficiency, uptime, and adherence to company policies. The successful candidate will demonstrate effective communication, teamwork, and the ability to leverage external resources to drive sustained efficiency in plant operations.

Responsibilities
• Adhere to and have full working knowledge of the company safety program.
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• Communicate with all personnel to stress the importance of a safe work environment.
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• Demonstrate knowledge of and support the plant safety, health, and environmental programs in all activities.
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• Ensure compressor skids are well kept and hosed down on a routine basis.
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• Assist with cleaning of oxygen skid to ensure equipment reliability.
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• Clean strainers and wire screens as required for continuous operation.
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• Keep chiller filters clean and routinely spray down coils to manage heat during summertime.
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• Assist and support CalBio Operators and outside contractors with onsite maintenance such as media change-outs and large equipment overhauls.
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• Monitor gas production of anaerobic digesters with a focus on O2 and H2S concentration.
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• Complete daily rounds of plant equipment and capture fluid temperatures, pressures, oil levels, gas concentrations, and process flows.
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• Check equipment for proper operation, looking for excessive vibration, fluid leaks, and any conditions needing further attention, and report to a plant operator.
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• Participate in plant housekeeping programs and material handling safety activities to ensure safe working conditions.
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• Participate in the planning and execution of preventative maintenance activities.
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• Write work orders on work management software to track repairs and scheduled maintenance.

Requirements
• Relevant maintenance and operating experience in an industrial or gas processing environment is desired.
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• Operational experience may be supplemented with military experience or training in a related field.
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• A relevant background in safety procedures/practices is required.
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• Ability to quickly respond to rapidly changing conditions is necessary.
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• Must be able to read, write, and understand English; Spanish as a second language is desired.
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• Fundamental proficiency in Windows-based applications (Outlook, Word, and Excel) on a PC or tablet is required.
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• A valid driver's license and the ability to operate a motor vehicle in California is required.

Nice-to-haves
• Experience in a dairy or agricultural setting is a plus.
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• Knowledge of anaerobic digestion processes is beneficial.

Benefits