Lead Plant Operator

Kinetik•Maljamar, NM

8d•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves assisting in leading plant operations to achieve optimal processing within safety, environmental, and economic guidelines. The Lead Plant Operator will maintain and optimize the economic utilization of manpower and equipment. This position requires a full understanding of Process Safety Management (PSM) and its impact on daily operations, as well as a thorough understanding of Process and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs). The role includes coordinating the startup and shutdown of various facilities such as Maljamar, Boosters, NMTI, and NGL Station. The Lead Plant Operator will perform tasks for the efficient operation of all natural gas processing plant functions, including cryogenic, amine treating, mole-sieve dehydration, TEG dehydration, tank farm, utilities, engines/compressors, PD and centrifugal pumps, and other plant systems and equipment, with minimal supervision. Responsibilities include ensuring proper flows, temperatures, pressures, and levels, recognizing operating deviations, and taking corrective actions. This role also involves leading, training, and teaching other operators on outside systems and control systems (PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, MCCs), assisting in day-to-day plant operations to meet production requirements, and monitoring operating data to minimize downtime. The Lead Plant Operator will backfill open operator positions as needed and actively participate in operator training, including ensuring new hires complete OJT signoff sheets and developing OJT material. Participation in monthly Operations Meetings, assisting in emergency response, and ensuring departmental manuals are current are also key duties. The role requires troubleshooting plant operational issues and problem-solving independently before seeking assistance. Ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and company guidelines, including PSM regulations (MOC implementation, PSSRs, PHA participation), is critical. Additionally, the Lead Plant Operator is responsible for the ongoing development and updating of Standard Operating Procedures, the Operator Training Program, and LDAR contractor communication and scheduling. Maintaining the shared vehicle with up-to-date maintenance, parts inventory, and safety items is also required, along with performing other assigned duties.

Requirements

High school Diploma or equivalent required
5-8 years of industry experience required
Ability to work with minimal supervision.
Basic computer skills with emphasis on Microsoft Office
Understanding of plant liquids
Maintain regular & reliable attendance
Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state, and local standards.
Ability to work effectively in all working conditions noted above.
Uses physical force to lift, push, pull and hold equipment and tools.
Climbs and works at various heights and may work in a standing, sitting, lying down, crouched, or kneeling position.
Routinely reacts to visual, aural, and other signals, including alarms and instructions, and is required to visually inspect work.
Must be able to regularly bend, stoop, move from ground level to higher levels, raise/lift from ground level, carry and lift up to 50 lbs., manually transport a load up to 75 lbs., apply up to 100-foot pounds of torque.

Nice To Haves

Valid driver's license

Responsibilities

Assist in leading operations to obtain optimum processing within safety, environmental and economic guidelines.
Maintain and optimize economic utilization of manpower and equipment.
Display full understanding of PSM and how the elements affect our daily operations.
Have full understanding of the use of P&IDs.
Coordinate startup/shutdown of facilities including Maljamar, Boosters, NMTI, and NGL Station.
Perform tasks required for efficient operation of all functions in a natural gas processing plant, including the cryogenic plant, amine treating plant, mole-sieve dehydration systems, TEG dehydration systems, tank farm, utilities, engines/compressors, PD and centrifugal pumps, and other plant functions, systems, and equipment, without supervision.
Ensure proper flows, temperatures, pressures, and levels and recognize operating deviations and take appropriate corrective action.
Lead, Train, and Teach other Operators on outside systems and control systems including but not limited to: PLCs, HMIs, SCADA and MCCs.
Assist in leading operators in day-to-day plant operations to meet required production and monitor operating data to proactively minimize downtime.
Backfill open operator positions as needed to cover PTO or when shorthanded.
Actively train operators daily on outside and board job duties.
Ensure new hires complete OJT signoff sheets in a timely manner.
Continued development and creation of OJT material.
Actively participate in monthly Operations Meetings.
Assist in emergency response activities relative to safety of the plant.
Ensure all departmental manuals are kept current.
Troubleshoot plant operational issues and problem solving before asking for assistance from the Plant Manager or other departments.
Ensure compliance with safety, environmental and other company guidelines and policies.
Ensure compliance with PSM regulations and related company guidelines, including: Participation in MOC implementation, PSSRs, and completing assigned Action Items. Participation in new and revalidation PHAs.
Own the ongoing development and updating of Standard Operating Procedures.
Own the Operator Training Program for Plant Operators.
Own LDAR contractor communication and scheduling of repairs.
Keep shared vehicle up to date on all maintenance, parts inventory, safety items, and leave it clean for your coworker at the end of your shift.
All other duties as assigned.