Production Operator

U.S. Silica is a global performance materials company and a leading producer of commercial silica used in a wide range of industrial applications and in the oil and gas industry. U.S. Silica’s wholly owned subsidiaries include EP Minerals and SandBox Logistics®. EP Minerals is an industry leader in the production of products derived from diatomaceous earth, perlite, engineered clays, and non-activated clays. SandBox Logistics® is a state-of-the-art leader in proppant storage, handling and well-site delivery, dedicated to making proppant logistics cleaner, safer and more efficient.

During our 125-year history, we have developed core competencies in mining, processing, logistics and materials science that enable us to produce and cost-effectively deliver over 400 diversified product types to customers across our end markets. As of December 31, 2020, we operated 23 production facilities across the United States. We control 489 million tons of reserves of commercial silica, which can be processed to make 197 million tons of finished products that meet American Petroleum Institute ("API") frac sand specifications, and 79 million tons of reserves of diatomaceous earth, perlite, and clays.

The Mill Operator is responsible for overseeing the production of raw materials safely and productively. They will monitor and control all aspects of the milling process, including feeding raw materials into the mill, operating equipment to break down these materials into smaller pieces, and removing unwanted byproducts from the final product. To perform all operations in accordance with established US Silica policies and customer requirements; general manual labor; and related tasks as directed.

Job Purpose:

The Mill Operator is responsible for overseeing the production of raw materials safely and productively. They will monitor and control all aspects of the milling process, including feeding raw materials into the mill, operating equipment to break down these materials into smaller pieces, and removing unwanted byproducts from the final product. To perform all operations in accordance with established US Silica policies and customer requirements; general manual labor; and related tasks as directed.

Essential Job Functions:

• Safety Responsibilities
  • Conduct pre-shift and post-shift inspection on all production equipment during your shift daily and record them on daily confirmation sheets
  • Complete pre-operation equipment inspection sheets for equipment used during your shift daily
  • Follow all company safety and health policies
  • MSHA, US Silica, Jackson Plant specific, and all Task Training to be completed prior to the performance of your daily job responsibilities.
• Environmental Responsibilities
  • Keep all high-traffic areas clean and clear of any trash, debris, tools, hoses, or other miscellaneous items (use proper procedures for oil and other lubricants leaks and spills)
  • Follow and maintain all applicable standards related to Environmental Compliance.
• Quality Responsibilities
  • Perform quality checks while operating equipment on a scheduled basis to maintain quality specifications.
  • Make adjustments to equipment accordingly based on quality results
• Production Responsibilities
  • Operate industrial equipment to process silica sand into a quality product.
  • Load tanker trucks with finished product.
  • Conduct minor maintenance on all equipment (conveyors, chutes, bins, grinding, and separation equipment). Lock and Tag Out equipment properly.
  • Complete daily shift production report (tons per hour, equipment settings, product grades). Production report includes workplace examinations as required by MSHA.
  • Provide specific information on any maintenance or other downtime reasons
  • Ability to use various computer software programs to monitor equipment operations, log stats in daily reports, process and print bills of ladings (BOLs) and certificates of analysis (COAs)
  • Operate mobile equipment as necessary

Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Required
  • Ability to multi-task at a fast pace (at times), work in outside conditions during all seasons, climb multi-levels by stairs & ladders, work from elevated platforms, and use hand tools (shovel, hammer, wrenches, etc.)
  • Good problem-solving skills
  • 5+ Years of industrial process equipment experience
• Preferred
  • Mine Safety and Health (MSHA) Knowledge
  • Computer Software
  • Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, etc.), WonderWare or equivalent equipment process software, JD Edwards (JDE)

U.S. Silica is an equal opportunity employer for all without regard to race, gender, color, religion, national origin, disability or veteran status. U.S. Silica is a smoke- and drug-free workplace.  The above description is intended to capture the essential functions of the job, nature and level of work as of the preparation date.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties that may be required of the position.  This job description may be modified at any time with or without notice.