Pipeline Operator - Senior

ONEOK•Colwich, KS

2d•$78,000 - $116,000

About The Position

Perform advanced-level work related to gas and/or liquids pipeline system operations, acting as a subject matter expert. The role involves diagnosing and coordinating complex pipeline operations and maintenance across compressor stations, gas storage, dehydration and pumping facilities, measurement facilities, and related equipment. It may include coordinating or overseeing employees and training others in pipeline operations and maintenance. The position requires communication with public and governmental officials, employees, contractors, customers, producers, and landowners, along with preparing operational, maintenance, measurement, construction, and regulatory information and reports. The employee anticipates changing work demands, recommends and implements new processes, determines materials needed, and helps ensure compliance with company policies and OSHA, EPA, and DOT requirements. Duties may include DOT-covered pipeline operations, maintenance, and emergency response. The employee must respond immediately to hazardous conditions where impaired performance or failure to follow safety precautions could cause serious injury or property damage. Travel to other locations within assigned geographic regions may be required up to 30%. Depending on assigned tasks, the employee may be assigned a company vehicle and must maintain it; an applicable driver’s license may be required for that assignment. The role is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, including frequent outdoor conditions and exposure to wet or humid conditions, temperature extremes, dust, fumes, gases, moving mechanical parts, potential electric shock, vibration, loud noises, and unprotected heights. The position is classified as heavy work, involving exertion of 50–100 pounds occasionally, 25–50 pounds frequently, and 10–20 pounds constantly.

Requirements

Experience operating and maintaining pipeline systems and related equipment used in natural gas and liquids gathering and transmission systems.
Experience in field functions including measurement, cathodic protection, and compressor or pump station operations.
Experience maintaining and repairing equipment.
Experience and training related to company and governmental operating and safety procedures and environmental regulations.
Experience and training related to characteristics of natural gas and gas liquids.
Experience and training in pipeline pigging, blowing drips, gauging tanks, and collecting liquids.
Experience and training related to construction methods and transmission and/or gathering system operations.
Experience and training related to emergency response procedures and communication skills.
Experience patrolling pipelines, performing leakage surveys, and locating and marking lines.
Experience working with valves, dehydration equipment, scrubbers, and separators.
Experience using applications such as Microsoft Excel, Project, Access, and Word.
Experience interacting, negotiating, advising, communicating effectively, and exchanging written and verbal information and instructions.
Experience with cathodic protection and corrosion control activities.
Ability to use tools and equipment, including computers and related software.
Ability to establish and prioritize multiple complex assignments with competing deadlines in a timely manner, requesting assistance as needed.
Ability to apply mathematics, algebraic formulas, and programmed-based statistical methods.
Ability to use formulas to estimate or calculate flow rates and volumes.
Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify alternate solutions or approaches to problems.
Ability to communicate thoughts, ideas, information, messages, and other written information—including technical material—in a logical, organized, and coherent manner.
Ability to direct and/or delegate work assignments.
Education is not required.
Licenses and certifications are not required.
Ability to meet the physical demands of heavy work, including exerting 50–100 pounds of force occasionally, 25–50 pounds frequently, and 10–20 pounds constantly.

Responsibilities

Perform or coordinate and diagnose complex pipeline operations and maintenance activities involving compressor stations, gas storage, dehydration facilities, pumping facilities, measurement facilities, and related equipment.
Perform activities including startup and shutdown, pigging, collecting liquids, changing charts, gauging tanks, locating and marking lines, monitoring cathodic protection and basic pipe coatings, pipeline leakage surveys and patrols, and blowing drips.
Perform, dispatch, and/or train others on line locates; serve as a construction watch and/or oversee construction activities.
Monitor usage of and replace lubricants, fluids, inhibitors, chemicals, and other materials as needed for safe and efficient equipment operation.
Exchange information about pipeline operations, maintenance, measurement, and other activities with public and governmental officials, employees, contractors, customers, producers, and landowners.
Establish calculations and compile or prepare information and reports on gas and liquid flow and quality, maintenance and repair logs, samples, pipeline and corrosion activities, construction inspection, and regulatory requirements; assist others with these matters.
Drive and ensure maintenance is completed on assigned company vehicles.
May coordinate or oversee employees engaged in pipeline operations, maintenance, and related activities.
Anticipate changes in work demands and identify assignments or training to address them.
Recommend new processes and formulate ideas, taking a lead role in implementing new processes.
Determine materials required for operations and prepare appropriate purchase requisitions.
Ensure compliance with company policies related to OSHA, EPA, and DOT requirements, and prepare appropriate documentation.
React immediately to emergency situations to prevent injury to self and others.