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Operator-Seneca

CF Industries · Seneca, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 8, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about your experience loading or unloading trucks, railcars or barges.

What they are checking: Whether they have hands-on experience with the product handling this job centers on.

Tell me about a time you followed a safety procedure even though it took longer.

What they are checking: Whether they follow rules when no one is watching, which keeps people safe.

How do you handle doing the same task many times without losing focus?

What they are checking: Whether they stay alert during routine work, where many accidents happen.

What would you do

What would you do if you noticed a small leak in a hose during loading?

What they are checking: Whether they stop and report problems right away instead of finishing the job.

How do you feel about working flexible shifts, including nights, weekends or long days in busy season?

What they are checking: Whether they are ready for the schedule the posting says the site needs.

A coworker skips a step in a lockout procedure. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they speak up about safety with peers, not just supervisors.

How comfortable are you working outside in all kinds of weather?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the physical demands of terminal and grounds work.

About the work

What personal protective equipment would you expect to wear around fertilizer products?

What they are checking: Basic safety awareness, since handling fertilizer chemicals without the right gear can cause real injuries.

What kind of equipment maintenance have you done before?

What they are checking: Whether they can help keep pumps, vehicles and buildings in working order.

How do you keep accurate records of what you loaded and shipped?

What they are checking: Whether they take paperwork seriously, since records drive inventory and billing.

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The full job description

As published by CF Industries.

At CF Industries, our mission is to provide clean energy to feed and fuel the world sustainably. Our employees are focused on safe and reliable operations, environmental stewardship, and disciplined capital and corporate management. By joining CF, you will be part of a team that brings their varied experiences, wide-ranging knowledge and diverse talents together to deliver important work and you’ll be able to pursue complex, exciting opportunities that help you continue to grow and achieve your potential in different areas. You’ll take pride in working for a company that lives its values and where you can be yourself at work, as part of an authentic team that encourages you to share your views and opinions. Our eight manufacturing complexes in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, an unparalleled storage, transportation and distribution network in North America, and logistics capabilities enabling a global reach underpin our strategy to leverage our unique capabilities to accelerate the world’s transition to clean energy. Function: Operations Job Summary: The purpose of the Operator position is to carry out the processes of: loading and unloading product, storing product and maintaining the grounds, buildings and equipment used during operations. This position, alongside others at the site, will be expected to work flexible shifts to support the business cycle of our customers, which may occasionally include evenings and weekends as required. Job Description: Primary Responsibilities: • Daily responsibilities/duties of the Operator may include, but are not limited to, any of the following: • Perform product loading and unloading functions and associated duties, in accordance with established operating procedures. • Maintain operating equipment, buildings and grounds in accordance with operating procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, inspecting equipment; performing mechanical maintenance; advising appropriate personnel of or rectifying unsafe equipment or conditions; and, general cleaning of all terminal areas and ordering of supplies. • Understand and apply principles of refrigeration systems, as appropriate. This includes testing and recording sample results, and, monitoring/recording gauge readings as appropriate. • Maintain and update appropriate manuals and records/paperwork accurately. • Comply with all training, environmental, health and safety programs of the Company/industry. • Assist with training and development of other operators as appropriate. • Interact and/or coordinate with Emergency Response Personnel discussions and/or training regarding environmental, health and safety situations. • Perform hazardous material response/remediation duties should a hazardous material spill occur. • Progress through and maintain skills acquired in the Operator Progression Program. • Perform other duties requested by facility management necessary for proper operation of the facility (i.e. recordkeeping, development /implementation of procedures). • Perform maintenance duties or provide assistance to emergency situations at other Company locations as directed by Company management personnel. • Participate in the development and implementation of capital and maintenance projects. • Assume management responsibilities of facility when facility manager is absent. Successful incumbents will have: • High School graduate or equivalent; plus equivalent of 2 years college, Military/technical training, or related work experience • Ability to understand and follow operating procedures • Refrigeration knowledge commensurate with position level • Good communication skills • HAZMAT certified (post-employment requirement) • Ability and initiative to exercise independent or team-oriented action • Must have basic computer skills and be capable of data entry and information retrieval • Read, write, communicate and comprehend the English language. Position Scope/Contribution: Travel • May be required to travel to and work at different facility locations for limited periods of time. Working Conditions: • Works in variety of environmental conditions (extreme cold/heat, humidity, wind, rain, snow, ice, etc.). • Works with hazardous chemicals (including emergency response requirements discussed below). • Incumbents are “on-call” (24 hours per day) for pre-designated time periods. While “on-call”, incumbents must be located within reasonable proximity of facility (approx. 30 min-45 min driving time). • Maneuvers over uneven and/or slippery surfaces. • Regularly assumes physically awkward and stressful positions. • Occasionally required to climb to and maneuver at heights of approximately 80-100 ft. • Works at computer terminals and monitors facility processes during product loading. • Applicant must have the ability to work in a continuous operating environment. • Shift work is required. 12 hours rotating shifts (6am to 6pm; 6pm to 6am). Work may be necessary on nights, holidays, and weekends with little or no advanced notice on occasion. Emergency Response Personnel Requirements: Ammonia terminal operators are required to function as emergency responders in the event of a hazardous material (anhydrous ammonia) spill. There are two basic roles which operators could be expected to perform: (1) Hazardous Material Technician and (2) Incident Commander (under 29 CFR 1910.120(q)). Points of note are: • The usual exposure level will be below the PEL. In an emergency situation the exposure level could be immediately dangerous to life and health (see MSDS for PEL and IDLH). For initial entry, personal protective equipment will be used including a Level A encapsulated suit and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) which weighs approximately 35 lbs • Emergency response may be indoors or outside where weather conditions can range from extreme heat to extreme cold • Medical treatment of victims is designated to local community emergency responders but the Incident Commander and Hazardous Material Technicians could administer first aid and CPR on a Good Samaritan basis in an emergency Hazardous Materials Technician - Physical requirements: • Wear Level A protective suits and self-contained breathing apparatus in order to perform offensive measures to patch, plug or stop a leak of anhydrous ammonia. Time spent in the Level A Suit is generally limited to 15-20 minutes. The weight of the SCBA is approximately 35 lbs. • Deploy approximately 200 ft. of fire hose at critical downwind locations. • Use tools (e.g., wrenches, hammers, wedges, etc.) to plug piping leaks. • Remove victims to a safe location for treatment of medical personnel (including confined space removal/retrieval). • Perform diking or ditching measures using sandbags and shovels to contain water flows on site • Climb stairs to the top of an ammonia tank (approx. 90 feet high) carrying 50 lbs. of equipment while ascending the stairs. • Install valves in an ammonia piping system. • Haul emergency response equipment (i.e.; Level A suits, Biopaks, rubber boots) to designated incident command locations. • Assist local fire department and authorities, as needed. • Operate mobile and heavy equipment (front-end loader, pick-up truck) to contain spills. Incident Commander - Roles and Physical Requirements: • The role of Incident Commander involves guiding and directing emergency response efforts from an upwind location. The Incident Commander typically functions in Level D protective gear (normal work clothes). Physical activities are restricted to surveillance of the response area and assisting the Hazardous Material Technicians into their protective gear. What We Offer: You’ll enjoy competitive compensation, consisting of base pay plus an incentive program available to all full-time employees, and a comprehensive benefits package including high-quality healthcare options, a well-being incentive program, 401k, life and disability insurance, generous time off (with time off to volunteer) and much more! Additionally, we offer several Flexible Work Arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance. You will be part of a team that brings their varied experiences, wide-ranging knowledge and diverse talents together to deliver important work, and you’ll be able to pursue complex, exciting opportunities that help you continue to grow and achieve your potential in different areas. You’ll take pride in working for a company that lives its values and gain a sense of fulfillment knowing that you’re working with purpose, to provide clean energy to feed and fuel the world sustainably. FMLA: https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/fmlaen.pdf Employee Polygraph Protection Act https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/eppac.pdf • Employees in Canada can learn more about their rights by viewing the “Canadian Human Rights Act”. Notice Regarding Potential Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Recruitment Process As part of our recruitment process, CF Industries may use automated tools, including artificial intelligence (“AI”) and machine learning technologies, to assist recruiters in identifying and prioritizing candidates whose qualifications align with job-related criteria, including information provided during the application process such as resumes, work history, education, qualifications, and responses to application questions. These tools support but do not replace human decision-making, and all final employment decisions are made by our Talent Acquisition team and/or hiring managers exercising independent judgment. If you need any assistance seeking a job opportunity at CF Industries, need reasonable accommodation with the application process, or have questions about our use of AI, please call 847-405-2400 or contact us at talentacquisition@cfindustries.com . JOIN OUR TALENT NETWORK

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