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Plant Maintenance Operator Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Watco

Plant Maintenance Operator - Tampa, FL

Tampa, FL · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

Plant Maintenance Operator - Tampa, FL Job Location: Port Sutton Office Location: Onsite Employment Type: Hourly Job Type: Full Time Start a Watco Career and Discover the Difference Keep the world ...

Watco

Plant Maintenance Operator - Tampa, FL

Tampa, FL

$25 - $30/hr

... Plant Maintenance Operator is responsible for the safe and effective operation, maintenance, and environmental management of the on-site Storm Water Treatment Plant (SWTP) and associated plant ...

Smyrna Ready Mix LLC

Plant Maintenance Technician

Brandon, FL · On-site

$20 - $27/hr

At SRM Concrete, we're looking for a Plant Maintenance Technician who thrives on variety and takes ... Valid driver's license and comfortable operating plant machinery. * Willing to complete SRM's pre ...

Orlando Health

Plant Maintenance Engineer

Orlando, FL · On-site

Log all pertinent operating information and maintains records to ensure compliance with state and ... Assists in training other plant engineers with energy plant operation/maintenance specific skills.

Reddy Ice

Be Seen First

Plant Maintenance Supervisor

Riviera Beach, FL · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

Support the Plant Manager in all duties and take charge of maintenance department. This position ... Profits may be impacted by failure to keep equipment operating and poor scheduling of maintenance ...

Reddy Ice

Be Seen First

Plant Maintenance Supervisor

Riviera Beach, FL · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

Support the Plant Manager in all duties and take charge of maintenance department. This position ... Profits may be impacted by failure to keep equipment operating and poor scheduling of maintenance ...

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Plant Maintenance Operator information

What is a plant maintenance operator?

Plant Maintenance Operators are professionals responsible for ensuring the proper functioning, upkeep, and repair of machinery and equipment in industrial plants or manufacturing facilities. Their duties often include inspecting equipment, performing routine maintenance, troubleshooting issues, and responding to breakdowns to minimize downtime. They play a key role in maintaining safety standards, improving efficiency, and supporting the overall operations of the plant. Plant Maintenance Operators may work with mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic systems depending on the facility's needs.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a plant maintenance operator?

To thrive as a Plant Maintenance Operator, you need a solid understanding of mechanical systems, troubleshooting skills, and typically a high school diploma or technical certification in industrial maintenance or a related field. Familiarity with CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems), power tools, and diagnostic equipment is often required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills ensure safe, efficient plant operations and minimize equipment downtime, directly impacting productivity and safety.

What are common challenges faced by plant maintenance operators, and how can they be addressed?

Plant Maintenance Operators often encounter challenges such as troubleshooting unexpected equipment breakdowns, managing time-sensitive repairs, and maintaining safety standards in a fast-paced environment. To address these issues, operators benefit from strong problem-solving skills, ongoing technical training, and effective communication with other team members, including engineers and supervisors. Staying organized and following preventive maintenance schedules can also help minimize unplanned downtime and ensure smooth plant operations.

What is the difference between Plant Maintenance Operator vs Maintenance Technician?

AspectPlant Maintenance OperatorMaintenance Technician
CertificationsOften requires technical diplomas or certifications in industrial maintenanceTypically requires similar certifications, such as HVAC, electrical, or mechanical certifications
Work EnvironmentIndustrial plants, manufacturing facilities, power plantsFactories, industrial sites, equipment repair shops
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed in manufacturing, energy, and processing industriesUsed across various industries including manufacturing, facilities management, and utilities
Job FocusMonitoring, operating, and maintaining plant equipmentRepairing, troubleshooting, and maintaining machinery and systems

While both roles involve maintaining industrial equipment, Plant Maintenance Operators focus on operating and monitoring plant systems, whereas Maintenance Technicians primarily perform repairs and troubleshooting. Both roles require technical certifications and are vital in industrial settings, often overlapping in skills and work environments.

Is being a plant maintenance operator worth it?

A plant maintenance operator is responsible for inspecting, repairing, and maintaining industrial equipment to ensure smooth operations. The role often requires technical skills, safety training, and sometimes certifications, with typical schedules including shifts that may involve nights or weekends. It can offer stable employment and opportunities for skill development in industrial settings.

Where do plant maintenance operators make the most money?

Plant maintenance operators tend to earn higher salaries in regions with a strong manufacturing or industrial sector, such as areas with large chemical, oil, or power plants. Factors like experience, certifications, and working in facilities with complex equipment can also increase earning potential.
Infographic showing various Plant Maintenance Operator job openings in Florida as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Plant Maintenance Operator - Tampa, FL

Tampa, FL ‱ On-site

Watco
See more jobs at Watcoexternal

$25 - $30/hr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Watco rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 57 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Plant Maintenance Operator - Tampa, FL
Job Location: Port Sutton
Office Location: Onsite
Employment Type: Hourly
Job Type: Full Time
Start a Watco Career and Discover the Difference
Keep the world's supply chain moving. That's what the Watco team does every day at our short line railroads, switching sites, terminals, ports, and logistics hubs. Whether you're at one of these locations or in a support-services role, there's one thread that ties everyone together. We're all on the same team. One Watco.
Here's what you can expect from Watco:
‱ Outstanding culture recognized by Forbes and Newsweek
‱ Competitive compensation and benefits
‱ Paid on-the-job training with peer trainers
‱ Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University
‱ Career advancement opportunities
Schedule: 7:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Pay: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour depending on experience
Job Summary
The Plant Maintenance Operator is responsible for the safe and effective operation, maintenance, and environmental management of the on-site Storm Water Treatment Plant (SWTP) and associated plant equipment. This position monitors treatment processes, performs preventive and corrective maintenance, conducts routine testing and inspections, coordinates repairs and chemical deliveries, maintains required records, and supports environmental compliance activities.
The position works closely with Terminal Management, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), maintenance personnel, contractors, and outside laboratories to ensure plant systems and equipment operate safely, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable permits, environmental regulations, and Watco policies and procedures.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Operate and monitor the Storm Water Treatment Plant (SWTP) and associated equipment to maintain safe, efficient, and compliant operations.
  • Perform routine preventive and corrective maintenance on pumps, motors, instrumentation, chemical-feed systems, clarifiers, filters, piping, and related plant equipment.
  • Evaluate instrument readings, influent and effluent samples, and field test results to assess system performance and identify operating issues.
  • Conduct routine plant inspections to identify abnormal conditions, equipment deficiencies, leaks, unusual sounds, or other concerns.
  • Calculate treatment rates and adjust process-control settings as needed.
  • Safely start up and shut down plant systems, including seasonal startups and restarts following power outages or other interruptions.
  • Recognize and respond to plant upsets, equipment failures, weather conditions, and environmental conditions that may affect plant performance or permit compliance.
  • Coordinate and supervise the safe unloading and handling of treatment chemicals.
  • Monitor chemical usage, maintain inventory levels, forecast needs, and coordinate chemical orders and deliveries.
  • Make or recommend operating decisions when maintenance is required, including reducing flow, adjusting operations, or shutting down equipment.
  • Clean and calibrate pH instrumentation, lubricate pumps and motors, and complete routine equipment inspections and maintenance.
  • Troubleshoot equipment and process issues, review equipment manuals, and determine repair or replacement needs.
  • Perform repairs within the employee's training and skill level and coordinate additional maintenance support when needed.
  • Identify required replacement parts, obtain quotes, submit requests for approval, and order and receive approved parts, equipment, and supplies.
  • Coordinate lockout/tagout (LOTO) requirements and ensure maintenance activities are performed safely.
  • Safely handle and oversee treatment chemicals, chemical-feed equipment, hazardous materials, and related systems.
  • Coordinate required environmental sampling with outside laboratory vendors.
  • Review laboratory results with Terminal Management and EHS and assist in determining discharge compliance.
  • Perform required inspections of tanks, piping, conveyance systems, and related water-management infrastructure.
  • Maintain field laboratory equipment, calibration records, sampling supplies, operating logs, maintenance records, inspection records, and other required documentation.
  • Report environmental concerns, permit-compliance issues, equipment failures, or abnormal operating conditions to Terminal Management and EHS.
  • Assist with environmental agency inspections and provide requested information as directed.
  • Review water inventories and weather forecasts to support weekly and monthly treatment planning and operational forecasting.
  • Monitor spare-parts inventory and coordinate replenishment as needed.
  • Assist with annual outage planning, major maintenance activities, operating forecasts, and annual maintenance and operating budgets.
  • Coordinate technical-service providers, contractors, and vendors supporting plant operations and maintenance.
  • Participate in safety meetings, required training, and severe-weather or tropical-storm preparation as applicable.
  • Maintain security of the treatment plant, office, tools, equipment, and fenced areas.
  • Follow all Watco safety rules, environmental requirements, operating procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
‱ Ability to work outside majority of the time and withstand extreme weather conditions.
‱ Must maintain regular, dependable attendance and a high level of performance.
‱ Must be available for shift work when applicable, overtime when required and must be available to respond during working and non-working hours as required.
‱ Must be able to work with a team, take direction and follow work rules, as well as take on additional job responsibilities as needed.
‱ Knowledge of company safety programs.
‱ Previous experience in industrial maintenance, plant operations, water or wastewater treatment, environmental operations, or a related field preferred.
‱ Experience maintaining or repairing pumps, motors, piping, chemical-feed systems, instrumentation, or similar industrial equipment preferred.
‱ Previous experience with environmental sampling, laboratory testing, or regulatory compliance activities preferred.
‱ Applicable water/wastewater operator licenses, maintenance certifications, or related technical credentials preferred, if required by the location or regulatory agency.
Education
High School or GED equivalent
Must be 18years of age or older

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