Process Operator

Location: Sombra

Primary purpose will be to ensure successful daily operation of the Methes Sombra facility through monitoring and adjustment of production equipment with both manual and computerized controls under supervision of Plant Manager and Production Manager.

Responsibilities:

To ensure successful daily operation through monitoring and adjustment of production equipment with both manual and computerized controls, analyzing system controls, log sheets, and lab reports. Perform a variety of jobs, tasks or duties such as housekeeping, painting, oiling, greasing, lubrication, sample retrieval. These also include material handling, reactors, flash evaporation, and other separations.

Prepare, start, monitor and shutdown a process; control and monitor plant and equipment within the scope of authority; cleaning and preparing equipment, and minor maintenance work. Identify and troubleshoot equipment operating problems and upsets. Assist in developing & complying with safety, environmental, quality, and production procedures and policies.

Manage and control electric and instrument materials & inventory.

Proactively participate in plant safety and quality programs. Must take ownership for their own personal safety and the safety of others through a commitment to safe behaviors, a safe work setting, and adherence to safety policies and procedures. Assist in developing and complying with SOP's and assists in training/coaching of personnel in the SOP's.

Perform all other duties as assigned or amended by Methes.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

Ability to climb stairs, lifting up to 55 lbs, prolonged periods of standing and sitting, providing calculated information, working in confined spaces and from heights, bending and kneeling. Physical qualification to wear a respirator is required.

Chemicals associated with the job include:

Crude Glycerin, Biodiesel, Crude biodiesel, Methanol, Sulfuric Acid, Acetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Methylate, Sodium Sulfate, Used Cooking Oil, Animal Fats, dusts and several other trace organic compounds that are produced and loaded out in the plant.

Time spent working with these chemicals and the areas in which they can be found include:



Oil Pretreatment (6-8hrs/day), Biodiesel Refining (8-12hrs/day)

Requirements and Qualifications:

1-3 year experience in a chemical plant or relevant industrial experience, including familiarity with pumps, filters & chemicals.

- Basic understanding of scientific disciplines (math, chemistry, physics, reasoning, & mechanics).
- Excellent mechanical, troubleshooting, reasoning and problem solving aptitude.
- Demonstrated ability to utilize and interpret information from charts and graphs.
- Ability to read and understand technical drawings including P&ID;'s and flow charts.
- Prompt and consistent self-starter with ability to manage deadlines while juggling multiple tasks
- Strong interpersonal skills are necessary to effectively interact with multiple employees, management personnel, and other stakeholders. Interpersonal skills employed include handling conflict; explaining problems and potential corrective actions for processes in a fair, honest, and direct way.
- Must be able to work in a team environment, maintain a positive and respectful attitude, and be able to perform tasks in a timely manner.
- The candidate must be able to utilize independent judgment to solve problems, have excellent organizational skills, and strive for continuous improvement.
- Ability and willingness to travel as required for training.
- Basic computer knowledge
- Must have high school diploma

There are 3 levels of skills that have been established. Each skill has to be mastered in order to progress to the next level.

Level 1

Health and Safety

- Internal and External WHMIS
- Review all MSDS
- NFPA
- Spill Response
- Emergency Response
- Fire Response
- Fit Test with Respirators
- Hazards: Temperature, Pressure, Vacuum, Slips and Falls, Violent Chemical Reactions, Dust, Oily Rags

- Lock Out/Tag Out




- Violent chemical reaction
- Methanol Vapors and Explosions
- Proper use of Hoses
- Plant Tags and Labels

- Locations of Main Water Supply to Site

Environmental Compliance

- Air Emissions
- Storm Water

Laboratory

- Acid Number
- KF Water

Quality Control

- Taking Samples
- Handling and Disposing of Samples
- Temperature Guns

House Keeping

- Mopping
- Cleaning Tools
- Importance of Straight Lines

Production Process

- Plant Process Flow
- Pretreatment and Biodiesel Production PID
- Hose Color Code
- Utilities – Cold Water, Steam, Hot Water, Nitrogen & Air
- Importance of Shift Change

Instrumentation

- Tank Levels – Pressure Transmitter
- Flow Transmitters – Mass Flow Methes
- Process Tank Levels – Level Transmitters
- Weight Scales

Equipment and Machinery

- Gear Pumps
- Centrifugal Pumps
- Diaphragm Pumps

- Centrifuge
- Stir Tanks and agitators
- Tri-Clamps and Swaglocks

Material Management

- Disposing Mop Water
- Disposing Biodiesel and Glycerin Waste
- Disposing Chemical Waste

Communications

- Communication Skills

Computer and Phone

- Email
- X-tuple
- Alfresco

- Denami Data Logs
- Phones and Extensions

Level 2

Health and Safety

- Making NFPA Labels

Laboratory

- Cold Soak

Production Process

- Pretreating Oil
- Running the Pressure Leaf Filter
- Resin Changeout
- Flow Transmitter Readings
- Intermediate Process Flow Knowledge
- Basic Denami Troubleshooting
- Visual Recognition
- Interpreting Acid Results
- Interpreting GC Results

Instrumentation

- Denami Control Panel Knowledge

Equipment and Machinery

Level 3

Production Process

- Mass/Volume Conversion for Tanks and Flowrates
- Mass Flow Reporting
- Change Management

Leadership

- Time/Task Priories Management
- Leadership – Walk the Talk Mindset
- Chain of Command
- Can Do Mentality
- “Pay it forward” Mindset
- Managing House Keeping Tasks

Computer and Phone

- Xtuple
- Denami Logs
- Excel – Formulas & Graphs
- Word – Adding pictures and formatting
- Writing effective SOP
- Using the IPAD
- Forklift Training
- Utilities Startup and Shutdown
- Fall Arrest Training

Computer and Phone

- Video Cameras
- VNC/VPN

📌 Process Operator (Sarnia)
🏢 Methes Energies Canada
📍 Sarnia