Utility Operator

  • Theodore, AL
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Job Description
Utility Operator
Reports to: Operations Manager
Pay: $16–$21 BOE
Non-Exempt Hourly Position
Rotating Shift Schedule to support 24/7 operations.

Position Summary

The Utility Operator plays a vital role in ensuring the safe, efficient, and continuous operation of our calcium carbonate manufacturing plant. This position is responsible for maintaining plant cleanliness, supporting production operations, operating material handling equipment, and performing basic preventative maintenance. This is an entry-level position with excellent opportunities for career advancement into specialized plant operations.

Key Responsibilities

Plant Operations & Material Handling

  • Operate mobile equipment, including forklifts, skid steers, and front-end loaders, to move raw materials, finished products, and packaging supplies.
  • Monitor processing equipment (mills, crushers, screens, and conveyors) and report any operational deviations or equipment malfunctions to the Shift Supervisor.
  • Assist with bulk loading and unloading operations for railcars and trucks.
  • Package finished calcium carbonate products into supersacks or bags, ensuring accurate weights and proper labeling.

Housekeeping & Environmental Compliance

  • Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment across all areas of the plant (production floors, warehouses, and outdoor yards).
  • Perform routine sweeping, shoveling, and washing down of work areas to manage dust accumulation, a critical requirement in mineral processing.
  • Safely operate industrial vacuum systems and dust collection equipment.
  • Dispose of waste and process by-products in accordance with company policies and environmental regulations.

Safety & Quality Assurance

  • Strictly adhere to all Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) or OSHA regulations, as well as internal corporate safety policies.
  • Participate in daily safety huddles, pre-shift equipment inspections, and Hazard Recognition programs.
  • Perform routine quality checks and collect mineral samples for laboratory analysis as directed by Quality Control.

Qualifications & Skills

Education & Experience

  • Required: High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) equivalent.
  • Preferred: Previous experience in an industrial manufacturing, mining, or heavy industrial environment.
  • Preferred: Prior experience operating forklifts or other heavy machinery (certification is a plus, though on-site training will be provided).

Physical Requirements

  • Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 50 lbs. regularly.
  • Comfort working in a heavy industrial environment, which may include exposure to dust, varying weather conditions, loud noise, and high temperatures.
  • Ability to stand, walk, climb stairs/ladders, and bend for extended periods during an 8 to 12-hour shift.
  • Ability to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including steel-toed boots, safety glasses, hearing protection, and respirators as required.

Core Competencies

  • Safety Mindset: A strong commitment to working safely and protecting teammates.
  • Teamwork: Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with operators, maintenance technicians, and supervisors.
  • Reliability: Dependable attendance and punctuality for scheduled shifts, including flexibility for overtime, weekends, or rotating shifts as needed.
  • Basic Mechanical Aptitude: Ability to use basic hand tools and understand mechanical operations.
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Span

A calculated value that describes the breadth of the particle size distribution by looking at the size of the particle below which 90% of all particles are found (d90), the median and the size of the particle below which 10% of all particles are found (d10).

The Span is calculated from the following equation:

Where:
d90 = particle size below which 90 % of the particles are described
d10 = particle size below which 10% of the particles are described
d50 = particle size below which 50% of the particles are described, also known as the median

Broader distributions have a larger span while narrower distributions have a smaller span.

Level of Ultrafines

The percentage of the total distribution that includes particles that are 0.5 microns or smaller.

Some demanding applications require careful control of the level of very small particles. These particles can make the powder difficult to disperse and can actually absorb important components of formulations ultimately altering end-use performance.

Topcut

The size below which 100% of the particles can be found.

Unlike most ground calcium carbonate suppliers, INCOA specifies at the 100% passing rather than the industry standards of 95% or 98% passing. We recognize that even very low levels of oversize particles can interfere with the performance of our products in your applications

Median

The size below which 50% of the particles can be found.

This is the most common means of describing the size of ground calcium carbonate powders. INCOA describes our medians on the final product as-received by our customers. This means that the specification testing is performed on samples of the shipment before shipment on the final product not on material still in-process.