ASSISTANT PLANT OPERATOR

About the Role

This position assists in coordinating activities of transportation and material-moving machine and plant helpers. Knife River is a people-first company committed to providing team members with the tools, training, and time to perform their jobs productively and safely.

The typical schedule during Production is Monday–Friday, 5:00 AM–4:00 PM, with Saturdays as needed. During Maintenance, the schedule is Monday–Friday, 6:00 AM–2:00 PM.

Responsibilities

• Assist workers in tasks such as loading and unloading vehicles by hand or by operating heavy equipment and/or hand tools.
• Compute or estimate transportation, personnel, or storage requirements.
• Confer with customers, supervisors, contractors, or other personnel to exchange information or resolve problems; strong communication skills required.
• Direct workers in transportation or related services, such as moving, storing, or loading/unloading materials.
• Provide instruction on safety and task completion.
• Drive vehicles or operate machines to complete work assignments safely and efficiently while complying with all policies.
• Enforce safety rules and regulations (Federal, state, local, and company policies).
• Examine, measure, or weigh cargo or materials to determine handling requirements.
• Explain and demonstrate safe work practices to new workers or assign training tasks to experienced workers.
• Inspect or test materials, stock, vehicles, equipment, or facilities for safety, defects, or compliance with specifications.
• Perform or schedule repairs or preventive maintenance of vehicles or other equipment, sometimes at elevated platforms with heavy tools.
• Plan work assignments and equipment allocations to meet transportation, operations, production, and safety requirements.
• Prepare, compile, and submit reports on work activities, operations, production, or accidents using Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• Recommend and implement measures to improve worker motivation, equipment performance, work methods, customer service, and safety.
• Recommend personnel actions, such as employee selection, evaluation, and safety improvements.
• Requisition needed personnel, supplies, equipment, parts, or repair services.
• Review orders, production schedules, or shipping/receiving notices to determine work sequences and material shipping details.
• Ensure compliance with DOT, MSHA, OSHA, EPA, DNR, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Prioritize safety and take action to prevent unsafe actions, processes, or behaviors.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED; or one to three months of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Certain tasks may require wearing a half-mask respirator, meeting OSHA guidelines per 1910.134(g)(1)(i).

Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Able to work independently and under time constraints.

Pay

Starting pay begins at $24.85 per hour and up, depending on experience.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Profit Sharing
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Sick Time
• 8 Paid Holidays
• Company-Paid Life and AD&D Insurance
• Short-term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Years of Service Recognition
• Voluntary Life Insurance for Employees, Spouses, and Dependents
• Critical Illness Plan
• Accident Coverage Plan
• Hospital Indemnity