Refining Operator Trainee

Marathon Petroleum Corporation • St Paul Park, MN

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Marathon Petroleum is hiring Refinery Operator Trainees at its St. Paul Park, Minnesota facility, where crude oil and other feedstocks are refined into transportation fuels and other petroleum products. Trainees learn refining process operations and product movement and loading operations, and may work in a process unit, tank farm, or loading position. Operators monitor, regulate, troubleshoot, and safely operate complex process equipment and carry out product movement and loading operations in a safety-sensitive environment. Candidates must complete the required pre-employment assessment, drug, alcohol, and medical screenings, and background check. Relocation is not approved for external candidates.

Operators monitor equipment and processes to maintain product specifications and yields, support unit startups and shutdowns, and operate safely during process upsets and equipment or power failures. The position involves a 12-hour rotating schedule providing 24/7 coverage, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Voluntary overtime is typically available, and mandatory overtime may be required. Crew schedules may change during major maintenance activities.

The starting pay rate is $36.48 per hour, with a first qualified rate of $43.01–$53.09 per hour under the collective bargaining agreement. Employees receive scheduled annual pay increases and may be eligible for an annual bonus. The company offers a 401(k) plan with matching, a cash balance pension plan, health, dental, and vision benefits, disability benefits, and at least three weeks of paid vacation for new hires, prorated based on hire month. The anticipated training start date is March 29, 2027.

Requirements

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Hold a valid driver’s license.
• Have basic math, reading, writing, verbal, and computer skills.
• Be willing and able to work a 12-hour rotating shift pattern, including weekends, nights, holidays, and overtime.
• Be authorized to work in the United States indefinitely on a full-time basis without current or future employment visa sponsorship.
• Obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) after an offer.
• Pass the Minnesota Special Engineer (Boiler’s License) test during onboarding.
• Participate in the onsite interview process and related assessments, including an online test and onsite work demonstration.
• Successfully complete pre-employment background, drug, alcohol, and medical screening.
• Successfully complete operator qualification training and participate in random drug and alcohol screenings.
• Be able to learn and apply complex refinery-related processes and procedures.

Nice To Haves

• Associate’s degree in Process Technology, Technical/Chemical, Power Plant Technology, or a related field.
• Two or more years of experience as a process operator in the petrochemical or a related industry.
• Good mechanical aptitude and the ability to make sound decisions.
• Ability to work effectively in a team, with little supervision, and prioritize daily work according to operational requirements.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge and skills.

Responsibilities

• Monitor equipment and processes under the operator’s control, maintaining product specifications and yields.
• Support process unit startups and shutdowns and operate safely during process upsets, power failures, and mechanical failures.
• Conduct periodic equipment rounds, make required adjustments, collect product samples, and complete electronic data entries.
• Troubleshoot process and equipment problems, perform general equipment checks, and identify unusual operating conditions such as abnormal noises, temperatures, pressures, or leaks.
• Support safe maintenance activities by decontaminating equipment, following lockout/tagout procedures, and completing safe-work permits.
• Wear required personal protective equipment, including self-contained breathing apparatus when needed, and participate in emergency response activities.
• Assist with the training and day-to-day work of others.
• Complete daily shift turnovers and communicate equipment and maintenance status to the oncoming crew.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with a company match of 7% on a 6% employee contribution, with immediate vesting.
• Cash balance pension plan of 7%, 9%, or 11%, depending on age and years of service, with three-year vesting.
• Health, dental, and vision benefits.
• Long- and short-term disability benefits.
• At least three weeks of paid vacation for new hires, prorated based on month hired.
• Scheduled annual pay rate increases.
• Eligibility for a discretionary company-sponsored annual bonus program.
• Paid parental leave.
• Educational reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED