Heavy Equipment Operator

Kinder Morgan•Port Arthur, TX

32d•Onsite

About The Position

The Heavy Equipment Operator operates heavy equipment and petroleum coke handling and cutting equipment to move, store, reclaim, and load petroleum coke safely and efficiently. Equipment includes a 29-ton P&H Static Step less overhead bucket crane with an 18-yard clamshell bucket; D-9 and D-10 dozers; and other terminal equipment such as skid steers, forklifts, track hoes, backhoes, wheel loaders, excavators, telehandlers, man lifts, and ship-loading equipment. Operators train on and may be assigned duties across terminal operations, including dozer, drilling and cutting, overhead crane, and ship-loading operations, as they progress through the terminal’s Equipment Operator/Maintenance positions. The role also involves operating, monitoring, maintaining, troubleshooting, and assisting with repairs to coke cutting equipment; performing decoking tasks and working with operators on coke drum preparation and cleanup; inspecting equipment and reporting maintenance needs; and maintaining equipment through preventive maintenance and lubrication. The operator follows safety and operating procedures, uses required personal protective equipment, communicates with coworkers and supervisors, and performs housekeeping and general maintenance. This is an outdoor position with exposure to varying weather, dust, fumes, airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, vibration, noise, heights, and potential electrical shock. The role requires physical activity, including standing, walking, climbing, lifting, and working at heights. Operators may work rotating day/night shifts, overtime, weekends, holidays, and scheduled on-call emergency callouts as operational needs require.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
At least eight months to one year of heavy-equipment operating experience, especially with D9 dozers and track hoes.
Valid motor vehicle operator’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers.
Willingness to use a personal and/or company vehicle in the course of employment.
Complete required customer and Kinder Morgan safety training and certifications.
Meet requirements for entry into foreign trade zones, including Department of Homeland Security background checks, and obtain and maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
Pass DISA testing for facility entry.
Pass respiratory fit testing.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally.
Willingness to work assigned day or night shifts and overtime with little or no notice, including weekdays, weekends, and holidays as operational needs require.
Regular work attendance.
Ability to work outdoors in varying or adverse weather conditions and in dusty environments, and to wear FRC clothing.
Ability to lift 70 pounds and handle large tools.
Ability to climb on and off equipment, ascend and descend ladders, and work at heights without fear of heights.
Ability to stand, walk, climb, bend, squat, and reach for extended periods.
Ability to work as part of a team, take direction from supervisors, keep required schedules, focus on details, follow work rules, and adapt to evolving conditions.
Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out instructions.
Ability to operate heavy equipment safely and efficiently.

Responsibilities

Operate a 29-ton P&H Static Step less overhead bucket crane with an 18-yard clamshell bucket to lift, move, and position petroleum coke and load coke from the pit to the grizzly hopper.
Maintain proper pit and pad storage of petroleum coke and follow applicable operating procedures.
Participate in maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of cranes, buckets, and related equipment as trained and instructed.
Perform general duties in terminal operations as assigned and communicate with Driller Operators, supervisors, and maintenance personnel by radio and other appropriate means.
Operate, monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot petroleum coke cutting equipment; perform decoking techniques, watch for hot spots, and provide extra quenching as needed.
Work with the Operator to un-head and re-head coke drums and perform the final drum sweep.
Inspect equipment before and after operation, report maintenance needs, and conduct frequent audits of drum-cutting equipment.
Assist other petroleum coke cutting personnel with cleaning operations as required; perform housekeeping in the cutting area; maintain and lubricate cutting-deck equipment.
Operate D-9 and D-10 dozers to gouge, level, and distribute petroleum coke between conveyors, storage, reclaimers, and dozer traps for vessel loading.
Operate dozers in successive passes to raise or lower terrain to specified levels and push material to the dozer trap, including day and night operations as assigned.
Perform preventive maintenance on dozers, skid steers, forklifts, track hoes, backhoes, and wheel loaders, including lubricating, cleaning, adding gear lubricants, changing filters, and documenting work performed.
Train on and operate terminal equipment, including excavators, forklifts, telehandlers, skid steers, man lifts, front-end loaders, overhead cranes, and ship-loading equipment; become certified on applicable equipment.
Train on and operate the remote-controlled ship loader to distribute coke according to the stowage plan and ship chief mate instructions, ensuring satisfactory vessel loading and monitoring ship-loader safety.
Perform work properly and safely, use appropriate personal protective equipment, and report damaged protective equipment and unsafe conditions to the Terminal Supervisor.
Maintain regular attendance, work at different locations when needed, and perform housekeeping and general maintenance as required.
Respond to scheduled emergency callouts and work assigned shifts and overtime as operational needs require.
Use a personal or company vehicle in the course of employment as required.
Follow customer and Kinder Morgan safety, operating, and environmental rules and policies; identify, report, and correct safety and environmental concerns.