Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, & Gaugers
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.
Technology Tools
Key Tasks
- 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.
- Operate control panels to coordinate and regulate process variables such as temperature and pressure, and to direct product flow rate, according to process schedules.
- Start pumps and open valves or use automated equipment to regulate the flow of oil in pipelines and into and out of tanks.
- 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.
- Plan movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of system interconnections and capacities.
- Control or operate manifold and pumping systems to circulate liquids through a petroleum refinery.
- Operate auxiliary equipment and control multiple processing units during distilling or treating operations, moving controls that regulate valves, pumps, compressors, and auxiliary equipment.
- Collect product samples by turning bleeder valves, or by lowering containers into tanks to obtain oil samples.
- Synchronize activities with other pumphouses to ensure a continuous flow of products and a minimum of contamination between products.
- Read and analyze specifications, schedules, logs, test results, and laboratory recommendations to determine how to set equipment controls to produce the required qualities and quantities of products.
- Read automatic gauges at specified intervals to determine the flow rate of oil into or from tanks, and the amount of oil in tanks.
- Perform tests to check the qualities and grades of products, such as assessing levels of bottom sediment, water, and foreign materials in oil samples, using centrifugal testers.
- Record and compile operating data, instrument readings, documentation, and results of laboratory analyses.
- Conduct general housekeeping of units, including wiping up oil spills and performing general cleaning duties.
- Inspect pipelines, tightening connections and lubricating valves as necessary.
- Calculate test result values, using standard formulas.
- Clean interiors of processing units by circulating chemicals and solvents within units.
- Clamp seals around valves to secure tanks.
- Coordinate shutdowns and major projects.
- Prepare calculations for receipts and deliveries of oil and oil products.
- Lower thermometers into tanks to obtain temperature readings.
Skills
Knowledge
Build a Resume for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, & Gaugers
Create a professional, ATS-optimized resume tailored to this career path.
Abilities
Work Activities
Work Context
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?
100%
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
96%
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
94%
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
93%
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
92%
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?
88%
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?
86%
Telephone Conversations
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
84%
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
84%
Exposed to High Places
How often does this job require exposure to high places?
83%
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
82%
Consequence of Error
How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?
81%
Duration of Typical Work Week
Number of hours typically worked in one week.
81%
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?
80%
Frequency of Decision Making
How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
79%
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
77%
Health and Safety of Other Workers
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
76%
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
76%
How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?
73%
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?
72%
Outdoors, Under Cover
How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?
72%
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
72%
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?
71%
Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions
How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
70%
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?
70%
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
69%
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
69%
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
67%
Written Letters and Memos
How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?
67%
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
66%
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?
65%
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
63%
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
62%
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?
59%
Degree of Automation
How automated is the job?
58%
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
58%
In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment
How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?
57%
Physical Proximity
To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?
57%
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
50%
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
49%
Spend Time Walking or Running
How much does this job require walking or running?
48%
Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
44%
Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body
How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
43%
Level of Competition
To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
42%
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?
41%
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
41%
Conflict Situations
How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
38%
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?
37%
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
37%
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?
27%
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?
23%
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?
23%
Work Schedules
How regular are the work schedules for this job?
15%
Exposed to Radiation
How often does this job require exposure to radiation?
14%
Public Speaking
How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?
11%
Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People
How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?
3%
Exposed to Disease or Infections
How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
1%
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Post-secondary certificate
Some college, no degree
Interests
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis
Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,
Work Styles
Work Values
Ready to pursue a career as Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, & Gaugers?
Create a professional resume that highlights the right skills and experience for this role.
Build Your Resume Now