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Plant Helper Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

POET LLC

Plant Engineer

Hanlontown, IA · On-site

The Plant Engineer increases efficiencies of plant operations, maintains plant run time, implements ... Since we are all about team work, you may be asked to help other roles that have their own unique ...

Smithfield Foods

Plant Engineer - Small

Mason City, IA · On-site

Your proactive approach will keep production lines humming and help us stay ahead of potential ... The plant environment will include wet or humid conditions (non-weather related), extreme cold and ...

Roquette

Plant Manager

Keokuk, IA

$185K - $280K/yr

Want to help us make a difference? Using plant-based resources, we collaborate with our customers and partners to imagine and offer ingredients to better feed people and treat patients. Each of our ...

Roquette Frères

Plant Manager

Keokuk, IA · On-site

$185K - $280K/yr

Want to help us make a difference? Using plant-based resources, we collaborate with our customers and partners to imagine and offer ingredients to better feed people and treat patients. Each of our ...

Manatt's

Asphalt Plant Operator

Camanche, IA · On-site

Summary Asphalt Plant Managers are accountable for the safety of everyone at the facility, striving ... If you need help accessing this page, please contact: Phone: 641-522-9206 Ext. 1228 Email: susane ...

ALPLA Group

Plant Manager

Iowa City, IA · On-site

... committed to helping employees build long-term careers. What You Can Expect from ALPLA ... What Will You Enjoy Doing The Plant Manager will provide for the safe, profitable, steady, and ...

New

Valero

Maintenance Technician - Ethanol Plant

Lakota, IA

$21.25 - $28.75/hr

You can help achieve this goal if you can: * Participate in plant maintenance program. * Repair or replace plant equipment or systems on a scheduled or emergency basis. * Perform preventative ...

Toyota

Who we're looking for Toyota's Plant EngineeringDepartment is looking for a passionate and highly ... Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career, as well as tuition ...

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All JobsPlant Helper JobsPlant Helper Jobs in Iowa

Plant Helper information

See Iowa salary details

$8

$17

$25

How much do plant helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for plant helper in Iowa is $17.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $19.66 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a plant helper?

Plant Helpers are entry-level workers who assist with basic tasks in manufacturing plants, factories, or industrial settings. Their duties may include cleaning equipment, moving materials, assisting machine operators, and helping maintain a safe and orderly work environment. Plant Helpers play a key role in supporting production teams by performing manual labor and ensuring daily operations run smoothly. The position often requires physical stamina and attention to safety protocols. It can be a good starting point for individuals interested in learning about industrial or manufacturing careers.

What are the day-to-day responsibilities of a plant helper?

Plant Helpers typically assist with a variety of tasks to ensure the smooth operation of manufacturing or processing facilities. Daily duties may include cleaning and maintaining equipment, moving materials, monitoring production lines, and assisting skilled operators or technicians as needed. They play a critical support role by helping to minimize downtime and maintain safety standards, often working closely with other team members. This hands-on position is a good entry point for those interested in advancing to more specialized roles within the plant.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a plant helper?

To thrive as a Plant Helper, you generally need a high school diploma or equivalent, basic mechanical aptitude, and familiarity with industrial safety protocols. Experience with hand tools, forklifts, and possibly safety certifications like OSHA training are commonly required. Reliability, teamwork, and a willingness to learn are standout soft skills in this role. These skills help ensure safe, efficient plant operations and support overall productivity in a manufacturing or industrial environment.

What is the difference between Plant Helper vs Greenhouse Worker?

AspectPlant HelperGreenhouse Worker
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; no formal certification neededHigh school diploma; may require basic horticulture knowledge
Work EnvironmentNurseries, farms, or outdoor planting sitesGreenhouses, indoor plant facilities
Employer & Industry UsageNurseries, landscaping companies, farmsGreenhouse operations, horticulture farms
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for entry-level plant care rolesMore specialized, indoor plant care roles

Plant Helpers assist with basic plant care tasks in outdoor or nursery settings, while Greenhouse Workers focus on maintaining plants inside greenhouses. Both roles require similar credentials and are used in related industries, but Greenhouse Workers typically work indoors with more specialized tasks.

What are the most commonly searched types of Plant jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Plant jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Plant Helper jobs in Iowa?

For Plant Helper jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Plant Helper jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Plant Helper jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Plant Helper jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Plant Helper job openings:

Plant Helper jobs near you
Infographic showing various Plant Helper job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,070 per year, or $17.3 per hour.

Plant Engineer

POET LLC

Hanlontown, IA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

ABOUT POET
At POET, it is our mission to be good stewards of the Earth by converting renewable resources to energy and other valuable goods as effectively as humanly possible. For over thirty years our drive and passion to change the world has enabled us to become the largest producer and marketer of bioethanol and a leader in sustainable products in the world.
BENEFITS & PERKS
Eligible Team Members may receive
  • $$ Competitive BONUS opportunities - up to SIX bonuses per year (Quarterly Profit Sharing & Value Share)
  • Paid time off and paid holidays - 40 hours of PTO available on Day 1, on top of a biweekly PTO accrual program!
  • Comprehensive benefits package; Individual and family plans for health, dental, & vision insurance, including a generous employer Health Savings Account contribution
  • Competitive pay, including shift premium pay for qualifying positions
  • 401K with company match
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Attractive Relocation Assistance and Bonus Programs for qualifying positions and/or locations
  • Safety and cold weather gear reimbursements
  • Discounted home and auto insurance

All POET Team Members enjoy
  • A multifaceted wellness program encompassing the whole person - mentally, physically, and spiritually
  • 'Family-first' culture
  • Onsite fitness centers or fitness reimbursements

JOB SUMMARY & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Plant Engineer is responsible for working closely with the management team at one or more bioprocessing facilities to maintain plant operations and to implement continuous improvement and capital projects. The Plant Engineer increases efficiencies of plant operations, maintains plant run time, implements system improvements, troubleshoots process problems, and considers cost factors.
This is an on-site role located in Hanlontown, IA. Responsibilities include:
  • Develop, present, and manage capital request projects and economic justifications for site and Sioux Falls leadership team members
  • Identify opportunities for plant improvements and work with a team of engineers to initiate and implement continuous improvement and cost savings projects. These projects may apply to one or more facilities across the POET footprint.
  • Complete and present data analysis of process information and create associated action plans and identify optimization needs
  • Assist with facility shutdown planning and execution
  • Exercise your problem-solving skills working with the bioprocessing facility's leadership team and fellow engineers in the field and at our corporate office to review operational and troubleshooting challenges
  • Develop advanced knowledge in specific unit operations and become a Subject Matter Expert that teams can rely on for process expertise
  • Support the Management of Change and Process Safety Management documentation for the facility
  • Assist with creating annual strategic plan initiatives for the site
  • Develop and utilize historical database reports
  • Write and coordinate procedures, and communicate to team members as necessary
  • Facilitate communication between departments
  • Foster a culture of safe behavior and environmental compliance at all times
  • Maintain a team environment at all times and champion POET in the community
  • Maintain and advance the food safety and quality of POET's products and processes to deliver a best-in-class culture of quality.
  • Since we're all about teamwork and getting the job done, your skill may be put to a lot of other uses!

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
  • You have a Bachelor's degree or greater in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering. Other engineering degrees will be considered.
  • Experience in an operating processing plant environment such as grain processing or chemical processing is beneficial
  • If you've had prior leadership and project management, we'll leverage those strengths frequently
  • You have experience with DCS control and DCS historian systems
  • Working knowledge of OSHA and EPA regulations is considered an added bonus
  • You've been called excellent at organizational, time management, and communication skills and you not only welcome change, but you embrace it
  • You have the ability to understand technical detail and day to day operation of a bioprocessing facility
  • You know the basics of Microsoft Office Suite, and you're capable of learning new programs

A SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE
  • Interpersonal skills - ability to effectively interact with individuals at all levels within/outside the organization
  • Demonstrated problem-solving and critical thinking skills
  • Ability to embrace and promote change
  • Innovative mindset
  • Ability to think objectively
  • Self-awareness in the face of uncertainty
  • Ability to work in a team environment

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
  • The work environment at POET is dynamic. You should expect a balance between time spent in the office and at the bioprocessing facility, which may include some physical labor helping your team members. This role has some physical requirements that our team members will need to be able to perform, such as:
    • Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, steel-toed boots, respirators (depending on the location), hazardous material suit, hearing protection, and harness.
    • Working at extreme heights (approximately 150 ft), in confined spaces, and in extreme temperatures from -20 to +100 degrees Fahrenheit, both indoors and outdoors. Due to the nature of the work, the areas can be dusty at times.
    • Must be able to use the following equipment/tools, with training provided (not all encompassing): forklift, power washer, pallet jack, hoist systems, scissor lifts, JLG lifts, telehandlers, Front End Loaders, various hand tools, and computers.
  • Frequently:
    • Sitting in a chair in the Control Room while operating the plant
    • Walk indoors and outdoors sometimes over rough, uneven, or wet/slick surfaces
    • Carry to up to 15lbs
    • Climb stairs and/or ladders
    • Stand indoors to clean and maintain areas
    • Reach at arm's length to gather samples
    • Be in awkward back, shoulder, wrists, and hand positions
    • Use coordination and grip, with a force of up to 50lbs
    • Bend while standing
    • Use repetitive arm motions to wipe down and maintain work area
    • Climb in and out of Powered Industrial Vehicles
  • Occasionally:
    • Lift up to 50lbs, with or without assistance
    • Carry up to 40 lbs, with our without assistance
    • Push with a force of 10lbs, with or without assistance
    • Pull with a force of up to 85lbs, with or without assistance
    • Bend, twist, turn, kneel, and crouch, while holding light and medium weighted objects
  • Since we are all about team work, you may be asked to help other roles that have their own unique set of physical requirements.
  • Due to the physical and safety-sensitive nature of this job, you will be subject to a physical and expected to pass a drug screen during the pre-screen process. During employment, you'll be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

CULTURE IS KING AT POET
We're all on the same team. We always communicate. And we park our egos at the door. These aren't just slogans on our walls. It's the way we do things at POET. We provide an environment for team members to maintain a healthy work-life balance. It's the best way to optimize health, wellness, and productivity in a sustainable way. We work hard. We play hard. We have frequent team events, volunteer efforts, and we know how to celebrate wins!
GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
At POET we encourage internal development and growth by allowing team members to carve their own path to success. Leaders support team members with the necessary resources to develop their skills, achieve goals, and create the most value. We believe in developing our team members to their highest potential and recognizing contributions that add value to the organization. Each new team member's position and compensation are carefully determined by considering their unique qualifications and skillset.
POET is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to maintaining a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, abilities, merit, and other legitimate business factors, without regard to any legally protected characteristic. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, working conditions, promotion, and termination.

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