TEST - Plant Operator at Kenya Sugar Research and Training Institute

The Plant Operator is responsible for safely and efficiently operating, monitoring, and maintaining machinery and equipment in the plant facility. This role involves controlling operational parameters, performing routine system checks, troubleshooting mechanical issues, and ensuring smooth production processes while adhering to strict safety and environmental standards.

Key Highlights

• Primary Objective: Ensure continuous, optimal performance of plant equipment and utility systems.
• Core Responsibilities: Routine monitoring, equipment adjustment, log keeping, and basic preventive maintenance.
• Working Environment: On-site technical operation requiring attention to safety protocol, efficiency, and real-time response to system alerts.

What You Will Do

• Equipment Operation & Monitoring: Safe operation of heavy machinery, processing units, crushers, boilers, water treatment plants, or agricultural utility equipment.
• System Monitoring & Logging: Regularly inspecting gauges, flow meters, pressure panels, and control systems to record operational parameters and keep detailed shift logs.
• Routine Maintenance: Performing basic preventive maintenance, cleaning, lubrication, and minor repairs on plant machinery to ensure optimal functionality and avoid downtime.
• Quality Assurance & Testing: Monitoring production parameters or effluent samples to ensure compliance with standards and efficient extraction/processing.
• Safety & Regulatory Compliance: Following strict occupational health and safety regulations (OSHA), utilizing proper PPE, and maintaining a clean, hazard-free work environment.
• Troubleshooting & Escalation: Identifying mechanical failures or system errors early and reporting critical faults to maintenance technicians or plant supervisors.

Qualifications

• Minimum Education: Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) mean grade of D (Plain) or D for Craft Certificate entry, or C- (Minus) for a Diploma level.
• Technical Training: Diploma or Craft Certificate in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Plant Engineering, Chemical/Process Engineering, or Plant Operation from a TVETA-accredited institution (e.g., KIHBT, Sensei, NIT).
• NITA Certification: National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) Grade Test / Competency Certificate in Plant Operation or relevant technical trade
• Work Experience: Minimum 1%u20133 years of hands-on experience in operating industrial plant equipment, boilers, turbines, or factory processing lines.
• Technical Knowledge: Basic troubleshooting, preventative maintenance, reading gauges, and monitoring processing parameters.
• Compliance Documents: Valid Certificate of Good Conduct (Police Clearance Certificate) and National ID/Passport.