Process Operations Relief Specialist

Join a purpose-driven operations team

At Chemtrade, people are at the center of how we innovate and operate. Our Syracuse sodium nitrite plant needs a Process Operations Relief Specialist who thrives on hands-on work, teamwork, and safety excellence.

Your mission

Provide reliable coverage across the plant—keep materials moving, equipment performing, and colleagues supported—while upholding our standards for safety, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.

Where and when

• Primary location: Syracuse, NY
• Schedule: Day Shift 6:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. with potential overtime. Ability to work scheduled 8-hour days and, as needed for emergency operations/repairs, intermittent 14–16 hour days.
• Reports to: Shift Supervisor
• Compensation: $31.61/hour plus benefits

Impact you’ll make

• Operate process equipment: pumps, valves, and piping; open tank truck vessels; connect/disconnect hoses.
• Load and unload trucks and railcars safely and efficiently.
• Support plant reliability: basic troubleshooting of equipment/operations; general upkeep (cleaning, sweeping, trash removal); digging, shoveling, weed spraying; tool room and warehouse inventory.
• Participate in safety-critical work: fire watch; confined space attendance/entrant.
• Run mobile equipment: backhoe, forklifts, and other approved equipment.
• Replace nuts and bolts on pipe flanges from 1 inch to 48 inches in diameter.
• Perform physically demanding tasks, including climbing stairs/ladders and lifting within OSHA guidelines; work outdoors in heat/cold and in 100°F ambient conditions while wearing full PPE (acid-resistant PVC suit, rubber boots, gloves, face shield) and respirators.
• Keep precise weekly timesheets and consistently meet attendance and punctuality expectations.
• Comply with plant rules and safety systems: Confined Space, High Work, Management of Change, Hot Work, and Operating Procedures. Use PPE appropriately and document its condition; meet annual plant physical exam requirements.

What sets you up for success

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Industrial plant experience performing similar duties preferred.
• Comfort with computers (Microsoft applications, CMMS, email) and technical documentation (procedures, safety rules, OEM literature, diagrams/schematics).

Health and safety commitment

All employees complete annual medical assessments, including a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT), and must be able to wear a respirator as a condition of employment.

Compensation clarity

The listed amount is the starting hourly rate for new hires. Hourly pay is determined by role, level, and location, and may also reflect job-related skills, experience, and relevant education/training. We will review location-specific factors during the hiring process. Some facilities operate under Collective Bargaining Agreements. The posted rate excludes benefits, pension contributions, overtime, and shift premiums.

Culture and growth

We champion diversity and inclusion—encouraging Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and valuing the unique perspectives of every team member. We offer family-friendly benefits and meaningful pathways for career development and advancement. When people feel respected and empowered, innovation follows.

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