Kiln Operator

Job Responsibilities Operates or tends heating equipment. Dries lumber, removes moisture from materials through a sophisticated control system; fields assistance and trouble-shoots production, process, process control, equipment, and quality problems. Responsible for safe and environmentally compliant operation.   Controls dry kilns to dry lumber to specified moisture content: Measures moisture content of lumber preparatory to drying, using moisture meter, or cuts, weighs, and places lumber samples in curing oven and reweighs samples periodically as they are drying to determine rate and percentage of moisture reduction. Determines drying cycle and schedule, considering factors such as species, dimensions, and quantity of lumber to be dried, initial moisture content of lumber, or moisture reduction rate of lumber samples. Presses buttons or turns valves and control knobs to activate, control, and record temperature, humidity, and ventilation of drying kilns. Reads recording gauges and weighs lumber samples periodically during seasoning process and readjusts temperature and humidity controls to regulate moisture reduction rate and avoid damage to lumber. Measures moisture content of lumber at completion of drying cycle, using moisture meter, to ensure that specified amount of moisture has been removed. Maintains records of species, dimensions, and footage of lumber dried, and initial and final moisture content of lumber. Changes graphs on pen-graph recorders as required. May direct workers engaged in loading lumber onto kiln cars, placing cars in kilns, and removing dried lumber from kilns. Performs all other duties as assigned. Other work-related duties as required Candidate Qualifications/ Requirements Safety, health, and environmental awareness Strong organizational and communications skills Willing to be hands on with physical production Must be able to work in all outside weather conditions (wet, hot, cold) Must be able to lift up to 50lbs Candidate Preferred Qualifications High school diploma or GED equivalent Schedule Rotating shifts Koppers Inc. and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other category or characteristic protected by federal law, state, or local law. Koppers, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is an integrated global provider of treated wood products, wood treatment chemicals and carbon compounds. Its products and services are used in a variety of niche applications in a diverse range of end-markets, including the railroad, specialty chemical, utility, residential lumber, agriculture, aluminum, steel, rubber, and construction industries. With more than 1,800 employees, it serves its customers through a comprehensive global manufacturing and distribution network, with facilities located in North America, South America, Australasia, China and Europe. Koppers is also firmly committed to advancing a Zero Harm culture that places the care and protection of its people, environment and communities above all else. This focused approach empowers employees to ensure safe operations through a heightened awareness of process safety, product safety, environmental stewardship and security. Koppers was established in December 1988 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and became a publicly-traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2006. You can view our privacy policy here - http://www.koppers.com/pages/privacy-policy