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Plant Operator

Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Facility

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

AD Energy Recruitment is partnering with a growing renewable energy business to recruit a Plant Operator for an operational Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) facility in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys hands-on plant operations, troubleshooting industrial equipment, and playing a direct role in the production of low-carbon renewable energy. The successful candidate will join a team focused on operational excellence, safety, reliability, and continuous improvement within one of the fastest-growing sectors in the energy industry.

The Opportunity

As a Plant Operator, you will be responsible for the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of a landfill gas-to-RNG facility. Working closely with operations and maintenance teams, you will monitor plant performance, respond to operational issues, support maintenance activities, and help ensure production targets and gas quality specifications are consistently achieved.

This role offers exposure to a wide range of process equipment and technologies, making it ideal for candidates with industrial plant experience who are looking to build a long-term career within renewable energy.

Key Responsibilities

Plant Operations

  • Operate and monitor landfill gas processing and RNG upgrading equipment.
  • Monitor plant performance through SCADA and HMI systems, as well as routine field inspections.
  • Perform equipment start-ups, shutdowns, and operational adjustments as required.
  • Monitor and record key process parameters including pressures, temperatures, flows, gas composition, and equipment performance.
  • Respond to alarms and abnormal operating conditions, taking corrective action where appropriate.
  • Support the achievement of production targets and product gas quality specifications.
  • Identify opportunities to improve plant efficiency, reliability, and performance.

Equipment Monitoring & Troubleshooting

  • Conduct routine inspections of compressors, blowers, pumps, dryers, vessels, analyzers, cooling systems, and associated equipment.
  • Identify developing equipment issues before they impact plant operations.
  • Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and process-related faults.
  • Coordinate with maintenance personnel to resolve operational and equipment issues.
  • Communicate abnormal operating trends and equipment concerns to site leadership.

Maintenance Support

  • Carry out routine preventative maintenance activities.
  • Assist with equipment repairs, troubleshooting, and system testing.
  • Replace consumable components including filters, belts, lubricants, and other wear items.
  • Support planned shutdowns, outages, and maintenance campaigns.
  • Maintain a clean, organised, and safe working environment.

Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance

  • Demonstrate a strong commitment to safety and environmental stewardship.
  • Follow all site safety procedures, permit systems, and operational policies.
  • Participate in Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), toolbox talks, safety meetings, and training activities.
  • Comply with Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), confined space, hot work, and other site safety procedures.
  • Report safety concerns, near misses, incidents, and environmental issues promptly.

Documentation & Communication

  • Complete daily operating logs, shift reports, inspection records, and maintenance documentation.
  • Maintain accurate operating data and equipment records.
  • Participate in shift handovers and operational planning discussions.
  • Communicate plant status, operational concerns, and maintenance requirements effectively across the team.

What We're Looking For

Required

  • High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent.
  • Valid driver's licence with a clean driving record.
  • Ability to work rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, overtime, and on-call schedules when required.
  • Ability to understand operating procedures, technical manuals, and safety documentation.

Preferred

  • Experience operating industrial process equipment.
  • Background within RNG, biogas, landfill gas, natural gas, wastewater treatment, power generation, manufacturing, chemical processing, or similar industrial environments.
  • Experience working with compressors, pumps, blowers, process instrumentation, and SCADA systems.
  • Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting capability.

Key Skills

  • Strong problem-solving and fault-finding ability.
  • Mechanical and process equipment knowledge.
  • Ability to work independently and make sound operational decisions.
  • Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
  • Organised and able to prioritise tasks in a dynamic operating environment.
  • Commitment to safety, reliability, and operational excellence.

Why Apply?

  • Join a growing renewable energy business operating at the forefront of the energy transition.
  • Gain hands-on experience within Renewable Natural Gas production.
  • Work with advanced process equipment and control systems.
  • Be part of a team focused on safety, reliability, and continuous improvement.
  • Long-term career development opportunities within the renewable energy sector.

If you're an experienced operator from industrial processing, wastewater, power generation, manufacturing, natural gas, or renewable energy and are looking for your next challenge, we'd love to hear from you.