Pilot Plant Technician

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Works cooperatively in a team environment where scientists from Institute for Food Safety and Health at Illinois Institute of Technology, the U.

S. Food & Drug Administration, and food-related industries collaborate on research designed to promote the safety and quality of the U.S. food supply.

As a member of the Pilot Plant team, the successful candidate is responsible for conducting pilot plant trials on food processing equipment, pilot plant daily operations, maintenance, pilot plant general housekeeping duties and associated support work under general supervision.

COMMUNICATIONS Records and communicates data and facts in a clear and concise manner to Supervisor and Center Director in both verbal and written forms.

Demonstrates good listening skills. Internal communications are routine and frequent. Requires frequent communications with Facility Director, IFSH security and IFSH Biosafety that ensure the safe operations of the pilot plant.

CUSTOMER SERVICE Communicates with line supervisor and project leader to determine immediate needs and deliverables. Performs basic internal communications referencing established timelines and metrics.

Communicates effectively with industry clients and provides support to industry clients’ trials. Special Schedule Requirements Qualifications Education & Experience

• Requires B.S. degree in Food Technology, Food Processing or related field with 2-3 years experience.
• Prior experience in food research or pilot plant activities would be highly desirable.
• Knowledge of high pressure processing and thermal technologies such as retort and HTST are highly valuable.
• Working knowledge of factory type equipment operations, ability to operate under Good Laboratory and Good Manufacturing Practices (GLP and GMP) conditions, good mechanical skills or aptitude.
• Strong teamwork, interpersonal, communication and organization skills.
• Good math and writing skills, computer literacy.

Knowledge & Skills

• Requires strong analytical skills and attention to detail in conducting plant trials.
• Ability to work under pressure, multitask on projects and demonstrate good results orientation through a pro-active and team based approach.

SUPERVISION & BUDGET AUTHORITY May supervise up to 5 students Physical Environment and Requirements Works extensively in pilot plant environment where there are strong safety procedures, wears safety personal protective equipment, and works with various equipment with high heat, electricity, air, water elements as power source.

The use of certain food processing equipment may expose candidate to dust and filth especially when moving equipment from storage and commissioning of equipment.

Exposure to high temperatures may be encountered during normal operation of food processing equipment such as retorts, high pressure processing equipment and pasteurization equipment.

However, safety SOPs and exposure SOPs are in place to ensure practices or practices do not affect candidate health and well being.

May lift up to 50 lbs, 10% of time and performs extensive keyboarding and pipetting up to 25% of the time. Certifications and Licenses List any certifications or licenses that are either required or helpful in performing the job, designating whether required or preferred.

Good academic credentials are required. GMP and HACCP qualifications are highly desirable. Will be required to pass various security clearances with IIT, FDA and Select Agent requirements.

Employment may be conditional on security clearances. Key Responsibilities Key Responsibility Perform pilot plant trials and pre-trials in a safe and efficient manner following the policies and procedures in several areas of the Pilot Plant including but not limited to GMP food processing area, main Pilot Plant, Biosafety Level 3 Facility and processing labs, etc.

Pilot Plant trials duties includes but not limited to equipment start-up, shut-down, cleaning and sanitation, etc. Percentage Of Time 40 Key Responsibility Setup and operate processing equipment and maintain Pilot Plant facilities and equipment in a safe, good sanitary (CIP and COP) and working condition.

Percentage Of Time 30 Key Responsibility Prepare summary of trial results with recommendations for processing / process improvements based on observations.

Percentage Of Time 10 Key Responsibility Maintains pilot plant supply inventory, submits orders for purchases of supplies and maintains logs / journals.

Percentage Of Time 10 Key Responsibility Additional duties as assigned. Percentage Of Time 10