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Plant Operator - Cylinder Prep

Airgas · Chicago, IL · $23.00–$26.00 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 15, 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 a time you worked in a job where safety rules were strict.

What they are checking: Whether they follow safety procedures consistently around heavy, pressurized equipment.

Tell me about a time you had to keep up with a production target.

What they are checking: Whether they balance productivity with safety and quality.

Why do you want to work at Airgas?

What they are checking: Whether they have real interest in the job and plan to stay past the retention bonus.

What would you do

This shift is Tuesday through Friday, 4:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. How will you make that work reliably?

What they are checking: Whether they can show up consistently for an early, long four-day schedule.

You find a cylinder with damage or an expired test date. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they pull questionable cylinders out of service instead of passing them on.

A coworker isn't wearing required safety gear. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they speak up for safety even with peers.

About the work

Why does it matter so much to sort and inspect gas cylinders before they're refilled?

What they are checking: Whether they understand damaged or wrong cylinders can cause leaks, contamination or explosions.

How do you safely move and handle heavy cylinders?

What they are checking: Whether they know safe handling, like using carts and securing cylinders, to avoid injury.

What experience do you have with hand tools, valves or basic repairs?

What they are checking: Whether they can do the cylinder repair part of the job or quickly learn it.

How do you keep accurate records of the cylinders you process?

What they are checking: Whether they see tracking as important for product quality and traceability.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Airgas from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Airgas.

R10100679 Plant Operator - Cylinder Prep (Open) Location: Chicago, IL (ASG) - Industrial spec gas How will you CONTRIBUTE and GROW? We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the unique perspectives of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders, and cultures across the world. We believe that a variety of backgrounds makes our team stronger and more innovative At Airgas, we RESPECT , HONOR and VALUE diversity. Airgas is Hiring for a Cylinder Prep Tech in Chicago, IL ! We are looking for you ! • Shift: 1st Shift (Tuesday - Friday 4:30 AM - 3:00 PM; Sat - Mon off) • Hourly rate - $23-$26/hr • 5% gainshare bonus • $1000 retention bonus(after 6 months of employment) • Comprehensive Family Benefits: Airgas offers a full benefits package designed to support your whole life, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Disability Insurance. • Future Security: 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match, Tuition Assistance, Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick time. • Early Access: Your benefits start after just 30 days of employment The Plant Operator - Cylinder Prep Tech processes and repairs previously serviced gas cylinders to prepare them for new gas production. This role involves a strong commitment to safety, product quality, and productivity standards. Responsibilities include sorting cylinders by size and service; contributing with manifolds and vacuum pumps for internal cylinder preparation; scraping and painting cylinders; and safely moving cylinders within the facility using a forklift and handcart. Loads and unloads gas cylinders from pallets, moving cylinders safely utilizing proper cylinder movement techniques. • Guided by Airgas standard operating procedures while conducting pre-fill inspections of cylinders and valves to support the safe filling of cylinders. • Connects cylinders to various gas manifolds for processing. This process involves a proper leak check—including pressure-checking connections and valves—followed by venting residual product, purging cylinder gas, and placing the cylinders under a vacuum. • Knowledge of hazards of various gases by utilizing material safety data sheets, cylinder shoulder and or body label, and pure gas color coding. • Performs cylinder maintenance including scraping and painting cylinders, safely changing valves and or pressure relief devices and installing new valves in high pressure cylinders. • Familiarity with basic compressor operation as well as cryogenic liquid and vacuum pump operations. • Perform valve and cylinder inventory. • We will support you in qualifying to operate a forklift and performing forklift inspections. • Ideally, you bring experience in troubleshooting and performing basic equipment maintenance. • Keep a clean and orderly work area. • Other duties as assigned. ________________________ Are you a MATCH? To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required: • One year of prior experience in a hands-on manufacturing or processing role or previous industrial gas experience preferred. • Strong verbal and written communication skills. • Ability to read and comprehend material safety data sheets. • Must be able to work with a wide variety of people with different personalities and backgrounds. • Ability to work independently and under some pressure to meet deadlines. • Strong level of attention to detail. • Ability to safely operate a forklift. Physical Requirements The characteristics listed below are representative of the physical demands required by an individual to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties. • Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to focus objects. • Regularly required to stand, bend, stoop, crouch, reach, grasp, feel and talk or hear. • Able to smell and hear leaking gas from cylinders. • Must be able to be on your feet for extended periods of time throughout the work shift. • Must be able to lift 50 pounds without assistance. • Ability to work in hot and cold environments. ________________________ Benefits We care about and support our Airgas Families. This is evident not only through our competitive compensation but also through a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision plans, short-term and long-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), pre-tax commuter transportation benefit, parental leave, vacation, sick time, floating holidays, jury duty and funeral/bereavement leave, and paid holidays for all eligible full-time employees. Additionally, we offer our eligible employees a 401k plan with company matching funds, tuition reimbursement, discounted college tuition for eligible employees’ dependents, and an Airgas Scholarship Program for dependent children. Associates who are members of collective bargaining units should review their bargaining agreement to determine whether they are eligible for some or all of the benefits described here and to see any special terms or conditions for eligibility. _________________________ Your DIFFERENCES enhance our PERFORMANCE At Airgas, we are committed to building a workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability or any other protected characteristic. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success and creating an engaging environment in a changing world. _________________________ About Airgas Airgas, an Air Liquide company, is a leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, as well as hardgoods and related products; one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products; and a leading U.S. supplier of ammonia products and process chemicals. Through the passion and diversity of its 18,000 associates, Airgas fosters a culture of safety, customer success, sustainability and innovation. Airgas associates are empowered to share ideas, take initiative and make decisions. Airgas is a subsidiary of Air Liquide, a world leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and healthcare. Present in 60 countries with approximately 66,500 employees, Air Liquide serves more than 4 million customers and patients. Join us for a stimulating experience: At Airgas, you matter and so does the work you do. As a member of our team, you play an important role in the success of your team, making sure our products are created sustainably and delivered safely and efficiently. In turn, you’ll find a welcoming workplace where you’re valued for who you are and where you can fill your potential while growing a fulfilling career — whatever path you choose. _________________________ Equal Employment Opportunity Information We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Airgas, an Air Liquide Company is a Government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Airgas does not discriminate against qualified applicants with disabilities, and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to the known disabilities of such individuals so as to ensure equal access to benefits and privileges of employment. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact us by email at us-accommodationrequest@airgas.com. _________________________ California Privacy Notice

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