Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers

Career Overview

Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units. May specialize in controlling manifold and pumping systems, gauging or testing oil in storage tanks, or regulating the flow of oil into pipelines.

Also Known As

Gauger
Operator
Pumper
Refinery Operator

Alternate Job Titles

Absorption Plant Operator
Board Operator
Control Board Operator
Control Operator
Control Panel Operator
Control Panel Technician (Control Panel Tech)
Crude Unit Operator
Dock Operator
Field Gauger
Fuel Distribution System Operator
Gas House Technician (Gas House Tech)
Gasoline Plant Operator
Gauger
Hydrotreater Operator
Hydrovac Operator

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

Signal other workers by telephone or radio to operate pumps, open and close valves, and check temperatures.
Maintain and repair equipment, or report malfunctioning equipment to supervisors so that repairs can be scheduled.
Monitor process indicators, instruments, gauges, and meters to detect and report any possible problems.
Start pumps and open valves or use automated equipment to regulate the flow of oil in pipelines and into and out of tanks.
Operate control panels to coordinate and regulate process variables such as temperature and pressure, and to direct product flow rate, according to process schedules.
Verify that incoming and outgoing products are moving through the correct meters, and that meters are working properly.
Patrol units to monitor the amount of oil in storage tanks, and to verify that activities and operations are safe, efficient, and in compliance with regulations.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

Production and Processing
Public Safety and Security
Mechanical
Administration and Management

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Monitoring

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

Perceptual Speed
Flexibility of Closure
Near Vision
Information Ordering
Problem Sensitivity
Selective Attention
Auditory Attention
Hearing Sensitivity
Speech Recognition
Deductive Reasoning

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

Cautiousness
Dependability
Attention to Detail
Integrity
Stress Tolerance

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

Support
Working Conditions
Independence
Relationships
Achievement

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Word

Tools & Equipment

Adjustable handwrenches
Allen wrench sets
Calibrated hydrometer
Chain boomers
Compressor control panels
Digital feeler gauges
Electric centrifuges
Fencing pliers
Flat cold chisels
Gauge lines
Groove joint pliers
Hacksaws
Hand centrifuges
Handheld digital thermometers
Laptop computers

Work Environment

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
Exposed to Contaminants
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$59,790
Median	$97,540
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$112,920

Workers Employed Nationally: 34,860