Asphalt Plant Operator
Barrett Paving Materials Inc. is a leader in heavy civil construction, specializing in aggregate production, asphalt plants, paving services, and road construction. With our people-first culture, we uphold the highest standards of safety, environmental conservation, and ethical conduct. As part of the Colas Group, the global leader in transportation infrastructure, we are committed to excellence. Learn more at www.barrettpaving.com.
Barrett Paving, and the rest of the Colas USA Family of Companies, is part of the Colas Group, the worldwide leader in transportation infrastructure construction and maintenance. For information on our international network visit www.colas.com.
Job Summary
The Asphalt Plant Operator is responsible for the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of Barrett Paving Materials’ processing plant at the MWC facility. This role ensures continuous production of high-quality asphalt or related products by controlling plant equipment, monitoring processes, performing routine maintenance, and coordinating with other operations staff. The Plant Operator supports quality control, environmental health and safety (EHS) compliance, and efficient production throughput.
Main Responsibilities
- Operate and monitor plant processing equipment (e.g., crushers, screens, conveyors, dryers, asphalt/aggregate mixing systems, silos, batching equipment) to produce product to specifications.
- Start up, run, and shut down plant processes according to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and production schedules; adjust controls to maintain target mix, temperature, moisture, and particle sizes.
- Perform routine and on-demand process parameter checks (temperature, moisture, gradation, asphalt content, yield, throughput) and document readings; respond to boiler/chiller, burner, dust control, or process alarms promptly.
- Conduct pre-shift, in-shift, and shutdown inspections of equipment; coordinate maintenance needs with maintenance team; report and escalate abnormal conditions.
- Manage batch records, quality control data, and inventory transactions for raw materials and finished products; ensure accurate labeling and traceability.
- Monitor environmental controls (dust suppression, noise, emissions) and ensure compliance with environmental regulations and site permits; report spills or releases immediately.
- Implement and follow housekeeping standards; maintain a clean and safe work area around all equipment and material stockpiles.
- Troubleshoot process upsets and perform basic troubleshooting steps; coordinate with maintenance for more complex issues.
- Optimize production efficiency by adjusting material flow, stockpile configuration, and equipment sequencing while minimizing waste and energy use.
- Coordinate with dispatch, maintenance, quality assurance, and safety teams to align production with demand and safety requirements.
- Participate in continuous improvement initiatives, contributing ideas to improve efficiency, reliability, safety, and product quality.
- Ensure compliance with all Barrett Paving Materials safety policies, PPE requirements, and OSHA regulations; practice lockout/tagout when applicable.
- Train and mentor junior operators and temporary staff as needed.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent; technical degree or vocational training in plant operations, process technology, or a related field preferred.
- Prior experience operating processing plants or heavy equipment in asphalt, concrete, aggregates, mining, or chemical processing environments preferred.
- Knowledge of plant instrumentation, control systems, scales, and basic process control (e.g., PLCs is a plus).
- Ability to read and interpret production orders, SOPs, QA/QC data, safety instructions, and basic measurement/quantity indicators.
- Basic mechanical aptitude; willingness to perform routine maintenance and minor repairs with proper training.
- Physical ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, and lift up to 50 pounds; ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and a commitment to safety and quality.
- Good communication and teamwork skills; ability to work with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.
- Valid driver’s license; ability to obtain any site-specific certifications or clearances required.
Work Environment
- Indoor/outdoor plant environment with exposure to heat, cold, dust, noise, and moving machinery.
- Exposure to asphalt, concrete, aggregates, fuels, and chemical additives.
- Shift-based work; may require overtime, weekends, or holidays as production demands.
- PPE required, including hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, respirator (if applicable), disposable or chemical-resistant gloves, high-visibility clothing, and steel-toe boots.
Equipment/Tools Used
- Plant control systems and monitors (DCS/SCADA, PLCs)
- Conveyors, crushers, screens, dryers, mixers, silos
- Scales for batching and material weighing
- Dust collection and suppression systems
- Basic hand tools (wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers, etc.)
- Power tools (grinder, impact, jackhammer, etc.)
- Oxygen/Acetylene torch and Stick welder
- Communication devices (radios, tablets)
Performance Metrics
- Plant uptime and reliability; mean time between failures (MTBF)
- Product quality adherence (target specs, QA/QC results)
- Throughput and yield vs. plan
- Downtime and maintenance response time
- Safety incident rate and near-miss reporting
- Compliance with environmental and permit requirements
- Effective housekeeping and clean work environment
Physical Demands
- Regular standing, walking, bending, climbing stairs/steps
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds repeatedly; occasional heavier lifting with assistance
- Exposure to high noise levels; use of hearing protection mandated
- Ability to work in hot and cold environments and exposure to dust, fumes, and chemicals
- Visual and auditory acuity needed for monitoring equipment and safety alerts
Safety and Compliance
- Adhere to Barrett Paving Materials safety policies and SOPs
- Participate in safety training, toolbox talks, and incident investigations
- Immediate reporting of all accidents, injuries, or near-misses
- Compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations
Certifications
- OSHA 10-hour or 30-hour Construction or general industry safety certification
- Confined Space, Permit-Required Programs, or Lockout/Tagout training
- Forklift or mobile equipment certification if required for site operations
- Any asphalt plant operation experience
Compensations and Benefits
- Competitive hourly wage with overtime opportunities
- Health, dental, vision, life insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off (PTO) and holidays
- Training and development opportunities
Colas Inc. and its subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity Employer. For details on the specifics of this commitment, please click here to view the EEO document. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to:
- to meet the requirements of the role in which you are applying
- complete any part of the application process
- access or use the online application process and need an alternative method for applying
Please contact Colas Inc. at 973-290-9082 or send an email to ColasRecruiter@colasinc.com.
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