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Plant Operator Trainee Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

Production Trainee

Tuscaloosa, AL

$13.50 - $17/hr

Participates in the housekeeping requirements of the plant as needed. * Learns and Operates ... Language Skills - Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and ...

Electrician

Birmingham, AL · On-site

$23.50 - $32/hr

... join our Plant Maintenance Division. As an Electrician, you'll be responsible for performing ... Follows through until equipment is operating satisfactorily. * Must have thorough working knowledge ...

Electrician

Birmingham, AL

$23.50 - $32/hr

... join our Plant Maintenance Division. As an Electrician, you'll be responsible for performing ... Follows through until equipment is operating satisfactorily. * Must have thorough working knowledge ...

Forklift Materials

Haleyville, AL · On-site

$14 - $16.25/hr

Material Handler Reports to 3rd Shift AC Trainee Shift: 3rd, 10pm-6:30am Position Summary: Material ... Duties / Responsibilities: • Drive Forklift • Provide Materials to plant • Receive material ...

Forklift Materials

Haleyville, AL

$14 - $16.25/hr

Material Handler Reports to 3rd Shift AC Trainee Shift: 3rd, 10pm-6:30am Position Summary: Material ... Drive Forklift Provide Materials to plant Receive material that are delivered from vendors Put ...

Wildland Firefighter

Moulton, AL · On-site +1

$23.20/hr

As an assistant on a wildland fire engine, works as a trainee engine operator driving the engine ... power plant; and keeps in fire readiness. * Inspects, cleans, and stows hose. Makes emergency ...

Showing results 21-33

Plant Operator Trainee information

See Alabama salary details

$27.6K

$48K

$77.5K

How much do plant operator trainee jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for plant operator trainee in Alabama is $48,004.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,100.00 and $53,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to get hired as a plant operator trainee?

To get hired as a plant operator trainee, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, relevant technical training or certification, and sometimes a valid driver's license. Employers often look for basic mechanical skills, the ability to follow safety protocols, and willingness to learn on the job, with some positions requiring passing a background check and drug test.

Is being a plant operator trainee worth it?

A plant operator trainee role provides hands-on experience in operating and maintaining industrial equipment, often leading to full-time positions with competitive wages and benefits. The job requires technical skills, safety awareness, and sometimes certifications, making it a valuable entry point into the energy, manufacturing, or utilities industries.

What are some common challenges faced by plant operator trainees during their initial training period?

Plant Operator Trainees often encounter challenges such as adapting to rotating shift schedules, learning to monitor complex machinery, and quickly troubleshooting minor operational issues. Trainees must also become familiar with strict safety protocols and environmental regulations, which can be overwhelming at first. However, with mentorship from experienced operators and structured hands-on training, most trainees are able to develop the necessary confidence and skills to handle these responsibilities effectively.

What is the difference between Plant Operator Trainee vs Plant Operator?

AspectPlant Operator TraineePlant Operator
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some certifications may be preferredTypically requires relevant certifications or licenses, such as a state-issued operator license
Work EnvironmentTraining environment, supervised, learning on the jobFull responsibility for operating equipment, more autonomous
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting and learning under supervisionOperating machinery, monitoring systems, troubleshooting

In summary, a Plant Operator Trainee is in a learning phase, gaining skills and certifications needed to become a fully qualified Plant Operator. The trainee role involves supervision and assistance, while the Plant Operator role involves independent operation and responsibility.

What is a plant operator trainee?

Plant Operator Trainees are entry-level employees who learn to operate, monitor, and maintain machinery and equipment at facilities such as power plants, water treatment plants, or manufacturing sites. They receive on-the-job training to understand safety procedures, equipment operation, and facility protocols under the supervision of experienced operators. Their goal is to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to eventually become fully qualified Plant Operators. This role typically involves a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience.

Is it hard to become a plant operator trainee?

Becoming a plant operator trainee typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, technical training, and sometimes a relevant certification. The process involves learning safety protocols, operating procedures, and gaining hands-on experience, which can vary in difficulty depending on prior knowledge and training opportunities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a plant operator trainee?

To thrive as a Plant Operator Trainee, you need a basic understanding of mechanical and electrical systems, a high school diploma or equivalent, and a willingness to learn plant operations. Familiarity with SCADA systems, safety protocols, and basic hand tools is often required, and some employers may prefer candidates with relevant certifications like OSHA or confined space entry. Attention to detail, teamwork, and strong communication skills help trainees adapt quickly and contribute to safe, efficient plant operations. These skills are crucial for ensuring safety, minimizing downtime, and supporting the smooth functioning of the facility.

What degree do I need to become a plant operator trainee?

A plant operator trainee typically needs a high school diploma or equivalent; some positions may require post-secondary education such as an associate degree in engineering, environmental science, or a related field. Relevant skills include understanding of mechanical systems and safety procedures, and obtaining certifications like a commercial driver's license or plant-specific training can be beneficial.
What are the most commonly searched types of Plant Operator jobs in Alabama? The most popular types of Plant Operator jobs in Alabama are:
What are popular job titles related to Plant Operator Trainee jobs in Alabama? For Plant Operator Trainee jobs in Alabama, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Plant Operator Trainee jobs in Alabama look for? The top searched job categories for Plant Operator Trainee jobs in Alabama are:
What cities in Alabama are hiring for Plant Operator Trainee jobs? Cities in Alabama with the most Plant Operator Trainee job openings:
Infographic showing various Plant Operator Trainee job openings in Alabama as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 48% Full Time, 50% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,004 per year, or $23.1 per hour.

Production Trainee

TAMKO

Tuscaloosa, AL

$13.50 - $17/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

TAMKO is seeking a Production Trainee at our manufacturing facility in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Summary of Essential Job Functions
To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Capable of learning the essential functions of all positions on the Production Lines.
  • Learns and Performs quality checks and diverts unsuitable material.
  • Learns and Performs safety equipment checks to ensure use of only safe equipment.
  • Learns and completes necessary essential cleaning/maintenance activities as required on maintenance availability days.
  • Learns and Practices a thorough understanding of line shutdown and startup procedures.
  • Learns and performs preventive maintenance duties/cleans equipment used in process.
  • Learns and Operates equipment for manufacturing, shipment and moving material as assigned.
  • Learns and Performs forklift on-board computer functions relating to order entry, inventory management and raw material handling.
  • Participates in the housekeeping requirements of the plant as needed.
  • Learns and Operates equipment on the Production lines as required.
  • Assists with upset conditions on the Production lines as required – Jams, tails etc.
  • Responsible for waste removal and storage from the Production lines.
  • Learns and conducts quality audits as necessary for the Production lines.
  • Learns and conducts preventative maintenance/cleaning activities as required on maintenance availability days.
  • Works rotating shifts and overtime as needed.
  • Learns and Executes the TAMKO Manufacturing Playbook.
  • Strives to be a complete team player in the organization.
  • Capable of adapting to changes in the work environment; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.


Position Requirements:
                                            

  • Education/Experience - Associate's degree (A. A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; and two to three years related experience and/or training.
  • Language Skills - Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
  • Mathematical Skills - Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
  • Reasoning Ability - Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
  • Computer Skills - To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Internet software; Manufacturing software; Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software.


Physical Demands/Work Environment:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 75 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds with assistance.
  • While performing the duties of this Job, the employee may work around moving mechanical parts, at elevated heights, where dusts and fumes could be present in the air, with or in proximity to chemicals, in hot environments, around electrical equipment, and in a loud environment.  The employee must have the ability to understand and mitigate these and other risks, including by following all prescribed safety rules, and must have the ability to wear appropriate personal protective equipment, if necessary.

In addition to an attractive wage, this position offers a competitive benefits package including Group Health and Life Insurance, Vision and Dental Insurance, a Flexible Benefits Plan, a 401(k) Retirement Plan with a company match, a Profit-Sharing Retirement Plan, and other benefits.

This job description is subject to change at any time.


TAMKO logo

About TAMKO

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Construction materials wholesalers

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Galena, KS, US