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Plant Associate Jobs in Racine, WI (NOW HIRING)

Accounting Associate Salary Range - $42,000.00 - $65,000.000 The Accounting Associate is ... plant. Maintain accounting and payroll files and backup documentation in accordance with PCA ...

Every day, MTI Motion associates around the world set the future in motion by solving our customers ... Muskego Plant Manager to manage the business. * Provide financial leadership, advice, and ...

Every day, MTI Motion associates around the world set the future in motion by solving our customers ... Muskego Plant Manager to manage the business. * Provide financial leadership, advice, and ...

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Plant Associate information

See Racine, WI salary details

$11

$19

$31

How much do plant associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for plant associate in Racine, WI is $19.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.34 and $21.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Plant Associate vs Greenhouse Worker?

AspectPlant AssociateGreenhouse Worker
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require horticulture certificationsHigh school diploma; horticulture or plant science knowledge beneficial
Work EnvironmentIndoor and outdoor plant care areas, retail or production settingsIndoor greenhouse environments, controlled climate settings
Employer & Industry UsageNurseries, garden centers, agricultural companiesGreenhouse farms, plant production facilities
Common Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

The main difference between a Plant Associate and a Greenhouse Worker lies in their work environment and specific job functions. Plant Associates often work in retail or outdoor settings, assisting with plant care and customer service, while Greenhouse Workers focus on maintaining controlled greenhouse environments for plant production. Both roles require similar credentials and are common in horticulture industries, but their work settings and daily tasks differ slightly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Plant Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Plant Associate, you need a solid understanding of basic manufacturing processes, safety protocols, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with industrial equipment, production management software, and safety certifications like OSHA are commonly required. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication help individuals excel in this role. These skills ensure efficient, safe production and contribute to maintaining a productive work environment.

What are Plant Associates?

Plant Associates are workers who perform various tasks in industrial, manufacturing, or processing plants. Their responsibilities often include operating machinery, monitoring production processes, maintaining equipment, and ensuring safety and quality standards are met. Plant Associates may also assist with inventory management, cleaning, and shipping or receiving materials. The specific duties can vary depending on the type of plant and the industry. They typically work as part of a team to help ensure the plant runs efficiently and safely.

What are some common challenges faced by Plant Associates, and how can they be successfully managed?

Plant Associates often encounter challenges such as adapting to fast-paced production schedules, maintaining strict safety standards, and handling repetitive tasks efficiently. To manage these, it's important to develop strong attention to detail, stay proactive about following safety protocols, and communicate effectively with team members and supervisors. Many companies provide ongoing training and support, so taking advantage of these resources can help you adapt quickly and contribute positively to the team's productivity.
Central Plant Manager (Inst)

$110K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee rating

4.4

Company rating: 4.4 out of 10

Based on 20 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

528th of 534 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.Position Title:Central Plant Manager (Inst)Job Category:Academic StaffEmployment Type:RegularJob Profile:Heat/Cool Plant Manager (Inst)Job Duties:

The Central Plant Manager oversees multiple campus utility plants andis responsible forboth strategic and daily operations. Reporting to the Associate Director of Facility Services, this position manages the state-owned centralized heating and cooling plant serving the UW-Milwaukee Kenwood Campus, as well as six satellite plants. Key responsibilities include but are not limitedto:prioritizing and scheduling plant activities; directing heating and cooling production; coordinating equipment availability, chemical treatmentalong with supervising plant staff.Responsiblefor compliance with multiple entities for data reporting,maintenance requirements and standard procedures are being followed.Create effective relationshipsacross all of UW System, state agencies,vendorsand our students.

The Manager also performs a full range of duties in a 24/7/365 operation, ensuring the safe and efficient operation, monitoring, and maintenance of four high-pressure steam boilers (natural gasand #2ultra-low sulfur oil) and three chillers supplying all major campus buildings.Additionalduties include operatingProgrammable Logic Controllers, and associatedMan Machine Interfacedevices, andVariable Frequency Drive;maintainingunderground fuel oil tank records in compliance with U.S. EPA and Wisconsin Department of Safety andProfessionalServices regulations;maintainingemissions and operational records; and preparing project requests for small projects and all-agencysubmissions. The role also requires fostering effective relationships with university personnel,Department ofAdministrationstaff, contractors, vendors, and students.

Key Job Responsibilities:
  • Confers with plant staff on a daily basis to establish steam and compressed air production, chilling priorities, electricity generation, and to discuss equipment availability, chemical treatment operation, work scheduling, and personnel problems
  • Oversees maintenance and capital projects in progress
  • Develops, plans, and participates in startup and commissioning activities
  • Develops and implements policies and procedures to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient use of the central plants
  • Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
Department:

Facilities, Planning and Managementiscommitted to promoting respect and civility in the workplace. Our staff serves as role models by practicing exemplary behaviors when working with customers, fellow faculty and staff members, students, and visitors. The mission of the department is to provide a safe, sustainable, and accessible physical environment that supports learning, research, working, living, and recreation. The organization supports the academic and strategicobjectivesof the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with commitment and pride in everything they do.

Compensation: $110,000-$120,000 (Salarywill bedeterminedbyfinalist's knowledge, skills, and experience)

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related fieldor a combination of related education andexperience

  • Minimum offive (5) years of utility or plant utilities system leadership experience

  • Minimum of five(5) years ofworkexperience in the maintenance and operation of utility or industrial plant utilities production systems.

  • Demonstrated experience workingwithengineering plans and specifications

  • Evidence of technical and project management skillsto design and execute projects

  • Demonstratedexperience withoperating andmaintainingplant equipmentboth individually andinterconnected systems.

  • Demonstrated experience analyzing plant performanceandimplementingenergy optimizationstrategies.

  • Experience creating and managing budgetsin anoperationsenvironment.

  • Prior experience operating PLC based control systems, including operations and troubleshooting of input/output devices and related equipment.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • WI Professional Engineering license (PE)

  • Ten or more years of progressive utility system supervisory experience.

  • Possession of an American Society of Power Engineers (ASOPE) 2ndClass Power Plant Operators License or equivalent.

  • Project Management Professional (PMP)

  • Direct experience managinganyconstruction projects

  • Knowledgeof the Heating Plant Section of the Division of Facilities Development

  • Evidence of thorough understanding of plant equipment, operations, steam and chilled water distribution, high pressure boiler maintenance and operation, and large tonnage chiller operation.

How to Apply:

Interested applicantsare required toapply online and provide acover letter and resume addressing your professional level work experience as it relates to all required and preferred qualifications.

Note: Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required documents prior tosubmittingthe online application. Applicationsmissingany of the required documents listed prior to the application deadline will be marked as incomplete and will not be considered.

This is a continuous recruitment with an initial review date of 6/15/2026. To ensure consideration, applications must be submitted by 6/14/2026. Applications submitted after 6/14/2026 may not be reviewed.

In instances where the Search and Screen Committee is unable toascertainfrom the candidates' application materials whether they meet any of the qualifications, they will be evaluated as not meeting such qualifications.Additionaldocumentssubmittedaside from acover letter and resumewill not be reviewed.

This position does not offer visa sponsorship. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. Selected candidates willbe requiredto verify eligibility to work in the United States by completing the required I-9 form upon hire.

Finalist candidate(s) being considered for hire will berequiredto provide three professional/supervisor references through an external reference checking tool. References will not be contacted prior to candidates being notified.

Contact Information:

Emily Jensen

eejensen@uwm.edu

Reasonable Accommodations
Pursuant to university policy, UWM provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact uwm-jobs@uwm.edu or 414-229-4463. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.
Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
UWMis a State agency and subject to Wisconsin's Open Records Law.UWMwill not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin's Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of "final candidates" and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.
CBCand Reference Check Policy
Employment will require a criminal background check.UWMtakes the prevention of sexual misconduct seriously. As such, you and your references will be required to answer questions regarding any past findings of sexual violence and sexual harassment or any pending allegations of sexual violence or sexual harassment.
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
For theUWMAnnual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, seehttp://www.cleryact.uwm.edu/, or call UWM's Dean of Students Office, Student Union 345 at (414) 229-4632 for a paper copy.
Employment Authorization
In compliance with federal law, all persons at the time of their start date will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.


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