Pacific Biodiesel to host job fair for Big Island Biodiesel plant

In preparation for the startup of its newest biodiesel plant, a 5.5 MMgy multifeedstock facility currently under construction in Kea’au, Hawaii, Maui-based Pacific Biodiesel Inc. will be hosting a job fair at the site in Shipman Business Park in East Hawaii on March 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time. The event is open to the public and all interested parties are encouraged to attend.

The initial list of positions to be filled include: facility manager, administrative assistant, plant operators, shift managers and shipping/receiving agents. Applications will be available at the event for completion on site. The company will conduct two tours of the facility and offer information on other aspects of the business, including biofuel crop farming.

The Hawaii Island Economic Development Board, Hawaii Community College, Workforce Hawaii, the EPA’s Rewarding Internships for Sustainable Employment, TerViva BioEnergy Inc. and Pacific Biodiesel Logistics will all be on site to offer information about their respective employment and agricultural opportunities.

Kelly King, vice president of Pacific Biodiesel, told Biodiesel Magazine that Pacific Biodiesel doesn’t intend to hire candidates on the spot. Rather, she said, “We will be taking resumes and make callbacks for interviews. I’m anticipating possibly up to 100 resumes from the job fair. We’re already getting resumes from folks who aren’t going to be able to make it to the event.”

King said that construction on the Big Island facility is running a couple months behind schedule due to rain and installation of a high-vacuum distillation column, which was funded by a state grant. All things considered, she said the company expects construction on the facility to be complete by June with physical production of biodiesel starting in July. Holding true to its community-based model, Pacific Biodiesel’s fuel will be distributed exclusively within Hawaii.

When operational, the Big Island plant will be one of the only commercial-scale biodiesel plants in the U.S. capable of processing trap grease within its feedstock portfolio, according to King.

“We’re really excited about that,” she said. “[Trap grease] adds another dimension and another supply of feedstock in this state.”

King also added that her company together with partner TerViva BioEnergy is exploring the possibility of using pongamia oil as feedstock.

Pacific Biodiesel is a recipient of the 2011 Green Jobs Award and employs about 40 Hawaii residents. In the past year, the company added 10 new staff positions in Hawaii and the Big Island biodiesel project has created over 85 construction jobs.

Those interested in applying are encouraged to email a resume to [email protected].