Pipeline Operator - Associate

ONEOK•Watford City, ND

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Pipeline Operator supports the safe and efficient operation of ONEOK’s Natural Gas Gathering and Processing systems by assisting with daily pipeline and facility activities, including equipment operation, routine maintenance, pigging, line locating, leak surveys, and fluid handling. The role helps monitor system performance, collect and record operational data, and ensure compliance with regulatory and safety requirements while responding promptly to abnormal or emergency conditions. ONEOK is committed to developing talent and is willing to train the right candidate—someone who is eager to learn, demonstrate mechanical aptitude, and align with our core values of safety, inclusion, service, and excellence. Work involves hands-on tasks across compressor stations, dehydration and measurement facilities, and related infrastructure, requiring the ability to use tools, equipment, and computer systems. This position operates in both indoor and outdoor environments under varying conditions, involves heavy physical demands, and requires regular travel within the assigned region. The role is based on-site Monday–Friday with a rotating on-call schedule and offers a monthly geographic allowance of $1,500. Ideal candidates are safety-focused, mechanically inclined, and eager to learn the fundamentals of pipeline operations. This role provides a strong foundation for long-term career growth within ONEOK.

Requirements

None Required.
Experience, training and/or knowledge of: Company and governmental operating/safety procedures and environmental regulations, Characteristics of natural gas and liquids, Pigging pipelines, blowing drips, gauging tanks, and collecting liquids, Construction methods.
Knowledge of: cathodic protection/corrosion control activities.
Ability to: establish, prioritize assignments and complete assignments in a timely manner with supervision.
Ability to: interact, negotiate, communicate and/or exchange written and verbal information and instructions.
Ability to: use tools and equipment including computers and related software.
Ability to: apply basic arithmetic to include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
None required.
Heavy Work - Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Medium Work.
Standing: Remaining on one's feet in an upright position at a work station without moving about (Frequently)
Walking: Moving about on foot (Frequently)
Sitting: Remaining in a seated position (Occasionally)
Lifting: Raising or lowering an object from one level to another (includes upward pulling) (Occasionally)
Carrying: Transporting an object, usually holding it in the hands or arms, or on the shoulder (Occasionally)
Pushing: Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves away from the force (Occasionally)
Pulling: Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves toward the force (includes jerking) (Occasionally)
Climbing: Ladders, Stairs (Occasionally)
Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling (Occasionally)
Stooping: Bending the body downward and forward by bending the spine at the waist (Occasionally)
Kneeling: Bending the legs at the knees to come to rest on the knee or knees (Occasionally)
Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending the legs and spine (Occasionally)
Crawling: Moving about on the hands and arms in any direction (Occasionally)
Reaching: Extending hands and arms in any direction (Constantly)
Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning or otherwise working with the hand or hands (Manual Dexterity) (Constantly)
Fingering: Picking, pinching or otherwise working with the fingers primarily (Finger Dexterity) (Constantly)
Feeling: Perceiving such attributes of objects/materials as size, shape, temperature, texture, movement or pulsation by receptors in the skin, particularly those of the finger tips (Constantly)
Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas/information by means of the spoken word (Frequently)
Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sound by the ear (Constantly)
Tasting/Smelling: (Occasionally)
Near Vision: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less (Constantly)
Far Vision: Clarity of vision at 20 feet for more (Constantly)
Depth Perception: Three-dimensional vision; ability to judge distances and spatial relationships so as to see objects where and as they actually are (Constantly)
Vision: Color - The ability to identify and distinguish colors (Constantly)
Employee is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions
Well lighted, climate controlled areas (Frequently)
Outdoor weather conditions (Frequently)
Wet or humid conditions (not weather related) (Frequently)
Extreme cold (not weather related) (Frequently)
Extreme heat (not weather related) (Frequently)
Dust, fumes, gases (Frequently)
Moving mechanical parts (Frequently)
Potential electric shock (Frequently)
Prolonged exposure to vibration (Frequently)
High pitched noises/loud noises (Frequently)
Unprotected heights (Frequently)
Frequent repetitive motion (Constantly)
CRT (Computer Monitor(s)) (Constantly)
Travel to other locations up to 30% in assigned geographic region(s) required.
Based on assigned tasks, employee may be assigned a company vehicle requiring the applicable driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Eager to learn
Demonstrate mechanical aptitude
Align with our core values of safety, inclusion, service, and excellence.
Safety-focused
Mechanically inclined

Responsibilities

Assist with or perform activities related to gas and/or liquids pipeline system operations.
Assist with and/or perform operations and maintenance activities on systems including compressor stations, gas storages, dehydration facilities, pumping facilities, measurement facilities, and related equipment which may include, but is not limited to: Startup and shutdown, Pigging, Collecting liquids, Changing charts, Gauging tanks, Locating and marking lines, Monitoring cathodic protection/basic pipe coatings, Leakage survey/patrolling pipelines, Blowing drips, Dispatching line locates, Construction watch.
Monitor usage and/or replace lubricants, fluids, inhibitors, chemicals, etc., as needed to ensure safe and efficient operation of equipment.
Assist in calculations, compile, and/or prepare information and reports including, but not limited to: Gas/liquid flow and quality, Maintenance and/or repair logs, Samples (gas/liquids), Pipeline/corrosion activities, Appropriate regulatory requirements, Construction inspection.
Drive and ensure maintenance is complete on company vehicles.
React immediately to emergency situations to prevent injury to self and others.
Department of Transportation (DOT) covered functions, including operations, maintenance, or emergency response on a pipeline.
Be alert and respond immediately to dangerous or hazardous conditions, and where impaired performance, or failure to follow safety precautions, could result in serious injury or property damage.