Description

Central control and process operators in petroleum, gas and chemical processing monitor and operate petroleum, petrochemical and chemical plants and monitor, adjust and maintain processing units and equipment in these plants. They are employed by petroleum and natural gas processing, pipeline and petrochemical companies and industrial, agricultural and specialty chemical and pharmaceutical companies.

Job Titles

• Acid plant operator
• Chemical process operator
• Chemical processing chief technician
• Chlor-alkali plant cell room operator
• Gas field production operator
• Gas plant operator
• Gas recovery operator
• Master operator – chemical processing
• Oil refinery process operator
• Panel operator – chemical processing
• Petroleum process operator
• Pharmaceutical processing operator
• Pipeline compressor station operator
• Process technician – chemical processing
• Refinery process technician

Main Duties

• Operate electronic or computerized control panel from a central control room to monitor and optimize physical and chemical processes for several processing units
• Control process start-up, shut-down and troubleshooting
• Monitor outside process equipment
• Adjust equipment, valves, pumps and controls and process equipment
• Authorize or co-sign maintenance work orders
• Shut down, isolate and prepare process units or production equipment for maintenance
• Sample products, perform tests, record data, carry out statistical process control on process operations, and write production logs
• Develop operating procedures for normal operation, start-up or shut-down of unit
• Participate in safety audits and programs and provide emergency response when required
• Ensure adherence to safety and environmental regulations
• May rotate between different processing units during shift cycles
• May work in a team with shared supervisory responsibilities and participate in training other workers
• May be cross-trained in a skilled trade and work in the trade during shift cycles.

Workplaces

• Industrial, agricultural and specialty chemical companies
• Petroleum and natural gas processing companies
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Pipeline and petrochemical companies

Skills

• Industrial, agricultural and specialty chemical companies
• Petroleum and natural gas processing companies
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Pipeline and petrochemical companies

Abilities

• Auditory Attention
• Multi-Signal Response
• Perceptual Speed
• Rate Control
• Reaction Time

Personal Attributes

• Analytical Thinking
• Collaboration
• Stress Tolerance
• Adaptability
• Attention to Detail

Similar Occupations

• Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities (92011)
• Chemical plant machine operators (94110)

Source: OaSIS