Plant Operator

Via Separations is a rapidly growing Boston-area startup dedicated to eliminating CO2 emissions from industrial manufacturing processes. At the intersection of engineering, society, and impact, our team is passionate about making a difference and building the technology and organization to do it. We are a fast-paced, interdisciplinary team backed by leading venture capital firms. Our team has doubled in size in the last year, and we are looking to add talented, mission-driven people to our cohort. 

We are passionate about global climate impact, optimistic about scientific progress, and unafraid of hard problems. We believe that our people are our unfair advantage, and drive our mission forward. We embrace the diversity of our team for creative solutions and believe the best ideas come from the intersection of disciplines and perspectives. We want you to join us!

Plant Operators will oversee the daily operations and maintenance of Project KODIAK: a newly-constructed first of a kind membrane filtration plant, located within the International Paper pulp mill in Grande Prairie, Alberta. Plant Operators will work in rotating shifts to support the initial commissioning of the KODIAK plant as well as 24/7 commercial operations post-commissioning. Plant Operators will report to–and take direction from–the KODIAK Site Manager, who serves as chief liaison between Via Separations (US), International Paper (CA), and the KODIAK Operational Staff.

Position Responsibilities:

• Continuously monitoring KODIAK system performance from the control room human-machine interface (HMI) or mobile monitoring device
• Responding to abnormal system conditions and taking action in accordance with Emergency Action Procedures (EAPs)
• Conducting routine shift rounds and inspections of all operating equipment within the KODIAK facility;Updated 3/2024
• Taking emergency actions for injuries, unsafe conditions, natural disasters, or hazard conditions such as fire or electrical faults
• Executing system fillings, drainings, startups, shutdowns, clean-in-place (CIP) cycles, and other system evolutions covered by Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Drawing fluid samples from process streams and transporting samples to the appropriate laboratories
• Conducting chemical analyses on samples, recording test results in chemistry databases, and properly disposing of samples in accordance with test procedures
• Troubleshooting and diagnosing equipment or membrane failures
• Conducting general facility preservation and housekeeping
• Conducting general maintenance tasks, such as equipment lubrication, valve packing adjustments, and repairs of minor leaks
• Establishing safe system layups and setting LOTO isolations in support of maintenance evolutions
• Reviewing maintenance boundaries and conducting pre-inspections and certifications of worksites prior to line breaks or cut-ins by maintenance parties
• Conducting manual changeouts of membrane housings
• Performance testing out-of-service membranes and recording test results
• Properly preserving, labeling, transporting, and storing out-of-service membranes for later use
• Providing continuous feedback and recommendations for the improvement of KODIAK system safety, operations, procedures, and ergonomics.

Required Competencies & Certifications:

• All Operators: Class 5 Drivers License 
• H2S Alive (or equivalent) Safety Ticket 
• First Aid and Basic CPR 
• Basic computer literacy (email, virtual meetings, spreadsheets, word processing) - Ability to work in rotating shifts up to 12 hrs (days and nights) 
• Ability to conduct physical labor (lifting heavy material, operating hand tools, turning valves, working in tight spaces) 
• Ability to work while wearing a negative pressure respirator (up to 2hrs) - Comfortable working at heights up to 36 ft (AWP, ladders, scaffolding) 







• Intermediate-Level Operators: 
• Power/Steam Engineer 4th Class or higher (complete) 
• 3+ years of process plant operations and maintenance or 5+ years of field equipment operations and maintenance or 3+ years of mechanical, electrical, or I&C trades training/experience - Some supervisory or lead operator experience 




• Senior-Level Operators: 
• Power/Steam Engineer 3rd Class or higher (complete) 
• 7+ years of process plant operations and maintenance 
• 5+ years of mechanical, electrical, or I&C trades training/experience - 2+ years of process plant supervisory or lead operator experience 




• (Optional) All Operators: 
• AWP and Fall Protection tickets 
• Forklift certification 
• Overhead crane and rigging certification 
• SCADA and production entry experience 
• PLC & HMI experience 
• Instrumentation troubleshooting skills 
• Technical college or university degree in a STEM field

At Via, we value and prioritize diversity of thought, access, and experiences, and are an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally for employment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.