How to get a plant job in Mobile, Alabama

By Remington College Posted April 21, 2020

Located on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Mobile offers a rich history and a lively atmosphere, with plenty to do for visitors as well as its nearly 190,000 residents.

But Alabama's fourth largest city isn't just a great place to visit or live. It could also be a great place to work.

The unemployment rate in Mobile has been decreasing overall since 2010. As of August 2019, it sat at 3.5 percent, slightly lower than the national average of 3.7 for that same period. The tight labor market could mean that employees struggle to find qualified workers for positions.

That could be good for those looking to enter the workforce in Mobile, especially if they are qualified to fill jobs in Mobile's unique industries. Trade, transportation and utilities is Mobile's largest industry. Mobile also has a higher concentration of plant-related jobs, such as chemical plant and system operators and petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators and gaugers than elsewhere in the country.

If you are interested in getting a plant job in Mobile, consider following these steps¹:

1. Do your research. Before you pursue any career, it helps to know more about what it entails, what you need to do to qualify and what employment is like in your area. If you're looking for a plant job, Mobile could be the place to be. Mobile has a location quotient of 17.69 for chemical plant and system operators, meaning the job is much more common in the city than elsewhere in the U.S. Similarly, chemical technicians are twice as common in Mobile than elsewhere and water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators also have a location quotient above 1 in Mobile. In fact, Mobile is the seventh highest employer of chemical plant and system operators in the nation.

2. Consider your options.

Not all plant jobs are the same. If you think working in this field could be right for you, it helps to know a little more about what options you might have.

1. Power plant operator: Becoming a power plant operator is one option when it comes to a plant job. To become a power plant operator, you typically need hands-on experience which you can receive by enrolling in a technical school.¹ Power plant operators' duties include controlling power-generating equipment, adjusting controls to regulate the flow of power and stopping and starting generators as necessary.
2. Chemical technician: In order to become a chemical technician, you typically need an associate's degree, which you can receive at a technical school.¹ Chemical technicians monitor and adjust processing equipment at manufacturing facilities along with monitoring chemical processes and troubleshooting production problems or malfunctions.
3. Water and wastewater treatment plant operator: To become a water and wastewater treatment plant system operator, you typically need a high school diploma, though some employers might prefer a certificate, associate's degree or bachelor's degree.¹ These plant operators typically add chemicals to disinfect water, inspect equipment, monitor operating conditions, collect and test water samples and more.

¹ Employment not guaranteed for students or graduates.

Sources

• Mobile's history
  • https://www.mobile.org/things-to-do/history/
• Mobile's population
  • https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/mobilecityalabama,mobilecountyalabama/PST045218
• Unemployment rate in Mobile
  • https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LAUMT013366000000004?amp%253bdata_tool=XGtable&output_view=data&include_graphs=true
• Mobile unemployment August 2019
  • https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.al_mobile_msa.htm
• National unemployment rate
  • https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000
• Employers struggle to find qualified workers
  • https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/04/jobs-report---september-2019.html
• Mobile's largest industry
  • https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.al_mobile_msa.htm
• Mobile's most unique jobs
  • https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_33660.htm
• Location quotient of 17.69
  • https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_33660.htm
• Seventh highest employer of chemical plant and system operators in the nation
  • https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes518091.htm
• How to become a power plant operator
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/power-plant-operators-distributors-and-dispatchers.htm#tab-4
• What power plant operators do
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/power-plant-operators-distributors-and-dispatchers.htm#tab-2
• How to become a chemical technician
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/chemical-technicians.htm#tab-4
• What chemical technicians do
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/chemical-technicians.htm#tab-2
• How to become a wastewater treatment plant operator
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Production/Water-and-wastewater-treatment-plant-and-system-operators.htm#tab-4
• What wastewater treatment plant operators do
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Production/Water-and-wastewater-treatment-plant-and-system-operators.htm#tab-4
• North American Process Technology Alliance
  • https://www.naptaonline.org/