Field Operator at Alterra Energy in Akron, OH

What if all plastics were recycled? Today, less than 10% are. The other 90% are either mismanaged and buried in landfills, sent to incinerators, or end up in our environment as litter polluting our land, rivers, and oceans. But imagine if all plastics could be recycled. At Alterra, we convert plastics back into their original building blocks to produce new plastics and other valuable products. We’re disrupting the traditional thinking that used plastic should be discarded and helping people see that plastics are valuable and designed to become new again. That’s Alterra…solving plastic pollution through infinitely renewed plastics.

Position Summary
The Field Technician supports safe and efficient plant operations by conducting routine inspections, operating and adjusting equipment in the field, and communicating plant conditions to the Control Board Operator. Field Technicians are essential to monitoring Alterra’s proprietary process for producing ISCC Plus circular oil, ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards. This role also provides first-line troubleshooting and maintenance support to keep the plant operating reliably and safely.

Reports to: Shift Team Leader, Production Manager
Function: Operations
Status: Non-Exempt, Full-Time
Starting Wage: $25-30 / hour
Schedule:  Ability to work 12-hour shifts; 4-on/4-off schedule; rotating day and night shifts; weekends and holidays required.

Key Responsibilities
Field Operations & Monitoring

• Provide constant monitoring, oversight, and troubleshooting of chemical process equipment in accordance with established procedures and guidelines.
• Adjust manual valves and switches to regulate process variables (pressures, flow rates, temperatures, fluid levels) to maintain safety, product quality, and efficiency.
• Record operating data, oil sample results, and test readings, and communicate key issues that may impact process capability or reliability.
• Read and interpret processing schedules, operating logs, and sample results to make appropriate control adjustments.
• Conduct routine rounds and inspections of pumps, compressors, valves, tanks, and other equipment, reporting abnormalities to the control board operator and shift team leader.

• Recognize and report potential hazards promptly; call attention to unsafe conditions as they arise.
• Demonstrate knowledge and proper application of lockout/tagout and other safety procedures.
• Handle, label, and transfer hazardous materials in the field in accordance with company protocols and federal/state regulations.
• Wear required PPE (safety glasses, safety shoes, hard hats, respirators, etc.) and comply with all company safety requirements.
• Participate in safety audits, incident investigations, and emergency response drills.
• Safety-sensitive role: a commitment to working safely and abiding by all safety requirements is essential.

• Provide direct support during planned maintenance turnarounds, including routine and preventative maintenance tasks.
• Interact with and enter data into the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) for equipment data management.
• Assist with preparing equipment for repair and support troubleshooting in coordination with maintenance activities.
• Operate a tow-motor as required.

• Maintain clear communication with the control board operator regarding field conditions, alarms, and process changes.
• Support collaboration with engineering and operations teams to ensure safe and efficient workflows.
• Document shift activities and equipment status in logs or electronic systems for shift handover.

• Identify opportunities to improve process safety, efficiency, and reliability.
• Share knowledge, ideas, and lessons learned with peers to strengthen team performance.
• Demonstrate adaptability and creativity in solving operational challenges.

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate’s degree or higher in Process Technology, Industrial Maintenance, or related field preferred.
• General knowledge of chemical or manufacturing plant operations and maintenance preferred.

• Highly adaptable, innovative, and creative in addressing operational challenges.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to recognize hazards and respond effectively to changing plant conditions.
• Proficiency with CMMS systems preferred.

• Prolonged periods of sitting or standing.
• Work in both indoor (climate-controlled) and outdoor environments in all weather conditions.
• Routinely lift, push, pull, and place up to 50 lbs; occasionally up to 100 lbs with or without assistance.
• Perform tasks requiring full range of motion with both hands/arms (circular, overhead, side-to-side, etc.).
• Must be able to climb ladders and work at heights.
• Required to wear PPE including safety glasses, shoes, hard hats, respirators, and others as designated.
• Candidates with disabilities who can perform essential functions with reasonable accommodation will be considered fully qualified.

At Alterra, you’re not just taking a job, you’re joining a team committed to solving plastic pollution and redefining what’s possible for plastics and for the planet. Guided by our values—We Believe, We Listen, We Adapt, We Protect, and We Teach—we work with purpose, curiosity, and conviction to create lasting change. If you’re driven by meaningful impact and ready to help build a future where plastics are infinitely renewed, we’d be excited to consider your application.