Pipeline Operator - Associate

ONEOK•Williston, ND

8d•$62,000 - $92,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Pipeline Operator supports the safe and efficient operation of ONEOK’s Natural Gas Gathering and Processing systems. The role assists with daily pipeline and facility activities, including equipment operation, routine maintenance, pigging, line locating, leak surveys, and fluid handling. The operator helps monitor system performance, collect and record operational data, comply with regulatory and safety requirements, and respond promptly to abnormal or emergency conditions. This hands-on role covers compressor stations, dehydration and measurement facilities, and related infrastructure. Work is performed both indoors and outdoors under varying conditions, involves heavy physical demands, and requires travel within the assigned geographic region. The position is based on-site Monday through Friday, with a rotating on-call schedule, and includes a monthly geographic allowance of $1,500. The company is willing to train a candidate who is eager to learn, mechanically inclined, and aligned with its values of safety, inclusion, service, and excellence. The position is posted at the Associate level, but candidates at the Intermediate or Senior level are also welcome. The role may include Department of Transportation (DOT) covered pipeline operations, maintenance, or emergency-response functions. Employees must remain alert and respond immediately to dangerous or hazardous conditions where impaired performance or failure to follow safety precautions could result in serious injury or property damage.

Requirements

Education is not required.
Experience, training, and/or knowledge of company and governmental operating and safety procedures and environmental regulations.
Experience, training, and/or knowledge of natural gas and liquids characteristics.
Experience, training, and/or knowledge of pipeline pigging, blowing drips, tank gauging, and liquid collection.
Experience, training, and/or knowledge of construction methods.
Knowledge of cathodic protection and corrosion-control activities.
Ability to establish and prioritize assignments and complete them in a timely manner with supervision.
Ability to interact, negotiate, communicate, and exchange written and verbal information and instructions.
Ability to use tools, equipment, computers, and related software.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Ability to meet the heavy-work physical demand rating: exerting 50–100 pounds occasionally, 25–50 pounds frequently, and/or 10–20 pounds constantly to move objects.
Ability to work in indoor and outdoor environments under the listed conditions, including weather, wet or humid conditions, temperature extremes, dust, fumes, gases, moving mechanical parts, potential electric shock, vibration, loud noises, unprotected heights, repetitive motion, and computer-monitor use.
Travel to other locations up to 30% within assigned geographic region(s) is required.
An applicable driver’s license is required if assigned a company vehicle.

Nice To Haves

Mechanical aptitude.
Eagerness to learn pipeline operations.
Alignment with the company’s values of safety, inclusion, service, and excellence.
The company is willing to train the right candidate.

Responsibilities

Assist with or perform operations and maintenance on compressor stations, gas storages, dehydration facilities, pumping facilities, measurement facilities, and related equipment.
Perform or assist with equipment startup and shutdown, pigging, liquid collection, chart changes, tank gauging, line locating and marking, cathodic-protection and basic pipe-coating monitoring, pipeline leakage surveys and patrols, blowing drips, dispatching line locates, and construction watch.
Monitor usage of lubricants, fluids, inhibitors, chemicals, and other materials, and replace them as needed to support safe and efficient equipment operation.
Assist with calculations and prepare or compile information and reports about gas and liquid flow and quality, maintenance and repair logs, gas and liquid samples, pipeline and corrosion activities, regulatory requirements, and construction inspection.
Drive company vehicles and ensure their maintenance is complete.
Respond immediately to emergency situations to prevent injury to self and others.
Perform applicable DOT-covered pipeline operations, maintenance, or emergency-response functions and promptly respond to hazardous conditions.