Assistant Plant Operator

Power GenerationAssistant Plant OperatorLocationTilbury, Essex, EnglandTypePermanentSalary£45k - 48.5k per year Bonus, benefits

Role Overview

Assistant Plant Operator – New Build EFW Power Station

Circa £48,500 Bonus Benefits

Tilbury, Essex

 

SCINERGY Recruitment are currently recruiting for a number of Assistant Plant Operators to join a brand-new Energy from Waste power station in Tilbury Docks, Essex.

This new EFW facility is currently under construction and, once operational, will process over 350,000 tonnes of waste per year, generating enough energy to power the equivalent of 93,000 homes.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a modern EFW facility as part of its new operations team, supporting the commissioning, start-up and long-term operation of the plant. You will benefit from comprehensive technical training and the opportunity to develop your career within the power generation sector.

As an Assistant Plant Operator, you will work as part of the shift operations team, supporting the safe, efficient and compliant operation of the facility. Working under the direction of the Shift Team Leader and alongside Shift Operations Technicians, you will carry out hands-on operational activities across the boiler house, turbine hall, waste reception areas and associated auxiliary plant.

The role will involve conducting routine plant inspections, monitoring equipment performance, assisting with plant start-ups and shutdowns and supporting first-line maintenance activities to help maximise plant availability and reliability.

The Role

Key responsibilities will include:

• Carrying out routine plant walk-arounds, inspections and monitoring of boilers, steam turbines, pumps, conveyors and associated auxiliary equipment.
• Monitoring plant operating conditions, identifying equipment defects and reporting abnormal performance to the Shift Team Leader.
• Undertaking basic first-line mechanical and electrical maintenance activities where suitably trained and authorised.
• Supporting plant commissioning, start-ups, shutdowns and planned maintenance outages.
• Operating mobile plant, weighbridges and overhead travelling cranes in accordance with site procedures and training.
• Coordinating the safe delivery, handling and unloading of operational consumables, including lime, activated carbon, ammonia and gas oil.
• Supporting waste reception, material handling and general site operational activities.
• Working closely with Shift Operations Technicians and maintenance teams to minimise downtime and maximise plant availability.
• Maintaining accurate operational records, shift logs and equipment inspection reports.
• Supporting safe systems of work, isolation procedures and permit-to-work activities as required.
• Ensuring all operational activities comply with site procedures, environmental permits and health and safety requirements.
• Reporting accidents, incidents, near misses and potential hazards in accordance with site procedures.
• Maintaining high standards of housekeeping, plant cleanliness and operational safety.
• Supporting continuous improvement activities aimed at improving plant reliability, efficiency and operational performance.

About You

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience in an operational, production or maintenance role within Energy from Waste, biomass, power generation, CHP, anaerobic digestion, waste management, paper production or a similar heavy process environment.
• Experience working with industrial machinery, process equipment or mechanical and electrical plant.
• A relevant technical qualification, such as NVQ, City & Guilds, BTEC or an engineering apprenticeship, would be advantageous.
• A good understanding of industrial health and safety procedures, including safe systems of work and equipment isolation.
• The ability to identify plant defects, troubleshoot basic operational issues and carry out first-line maintenance activities.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively within a shift operations environment.
• A practical, hands-on approach with a willingness to learn and develop technical plant knowledge.
• Flexibility to work 12-hour shift patterns covering days, nights and weekends.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary location allowance of £42,100
• Shift allowance of £6,340 payable once shift working commences (anticipated summer 2027)
• Company performance-related bonus
• Private medical cover
• Company pension scheme
• Industry-leading technical training and development during the commissioning phase
• Opportunity to join a brand-new EFW power station
• Long-term career development opportunities within the Energy from Waste sector

For more information or to apply, please contact Steve Utton or Callum Sheppard at SCINERGY Recruitment on [phone removed] or email [email removed].

Job Details

• ReferenceSC141
• LocationTilbury, Essex, England
• Salary£45k - 48.5k per year Bonus, benefits
• Employment TypePermanent
• Date Posted23 October 2026
• ContactSteve Utton

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