Occupation · SOC 51-8093
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and 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.
Median wage
$97,540
$59,790–$112,920
Projected growth
-2.6%
Declining
Annual openings
-100
per year
Employed (US)
34,860
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlMonitoringReading ComprehensionSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingTime Management
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingPublic Safety and SecurityMechanicalAdministration and ManagementMathematics
Technology & tools
Electronic mail softwareInventory management softwareSpreadsheet softwareWord processing softwareIndustrial control software
Representative 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.Read automatic gauges at specified intervals to determine the flow rate of oil into or from tanks, and the amount of oil in tanks.Synchronize activities with other pumphouses to ensure a continuous flow of products and a minimum of contamination between products.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.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.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.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.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Process indicators and gauges — read and record under direct supervisor guidance during routine refinery operations.Pump startup procedures — follow written protocols to initiate basic pump operations on an active pipeline unit.Radio and telephone communication — use to relay valve and pump status to co-workers under close supervision at a petroleum facility.Equipment malfunctions and unusual readings — recognize and report promptly to a supervisor during monitored shift work.Valve open-and-close sequences — perform in the correct order by following step-by-step written instructions on a tank farm unit.Oil storage tank levels — patrol and visually check amounts using standard gauging methods while accompanied by an experienced operator.Safety and compliance rules — identify and apply basic regulations during daily walkaround inspections of refinery units.Meter function and product routing — verify that incoming product is passing through the designated meter under direct operator oversight.Process schedules and log sheets — read and interpret to determine assigned flow rates during a supervised production shift.Basic hand tools and test instruments — identify and use safely to assist in minor equipment maintenance tasks at a refinery site.
developing
Control panel variables such as temperature and pressure — adjust routinely to meet process schedules during an unassisted production shift.Pump and valve sequences for product transfer — coordinate independently using knowledge of pipeline interconnections on a mid-sized tank farm.Process gauges, meters, and instruments — monitor continuously and interpret trends to anticipate minor operational deviations during a full shift.Equipment deficiencies and wear — document accurately and report to maintenance scheduling systems using inventory management software.Radio communications with field operators — initiate and manage clearly to synchronize valve operations across multiple pipeline segments.Oil flow rates and product movement plans — execute according to established schedules, adjusting for familiar capacity constraints in the distribution system.Meter accuracy and product routing assignments — verify at shift start and end, logging results in spreadsheet software for record-keeping.Minor pump and valve repairs — perform using standard mechanical procedures when authorized, reducing unplanned downtime on the unit.Shift logs and operational reports — compose accurately in word processing software to document process conditions and regulatory compliance activities.Time-sensitive process changes — prioritize and sequence tasks efficiently to maintain safe throughput during high-demand refinery operations.
proficient
Full-shift control panel operations — manage autonomously to regulate temperature, pressure, and flow rate across complex refinery process units.Non-routine equipment problems and process upsets — diagnose using deductive reasoning and resolve safely without waiting for supervisory direction.Product movement plans through interconnected pipeline and storage systems — develop independently using detailed knowledge of system capacities and configurations.Compliance patrols of refinery storage and processing units — conduct thoroughly, identifying safety hazards and regulatory deviations before they escalate.Multi-variable process data from gauges, meters, and industrial control software — analyze to detect emerging inefficiencies and adjust operations proactively.Cross-functional communication with maintenance, logistics, and safety teams — lead clearly to coordinate scheduled and unscheduled operational changes.Meter calibration discrepancies and product routing errors — investigate root causes and implement corrective actions using systematic troubleshooting methods.Emergency response procedures during pipeline or tank incidents — apply confidently, directing immediate operational responses to protect personnel and equipment.Operational data and trend reports — interpret and present accurately to supervisors using spreadsheet and word processing tools to support decision-making.Active learning from new process technologies and regulatory updates — integrate into daily practice to maintain current competency across all unit operations.
advanced
Refinery unit operational standards and best practices — establish and enforce across all shifts to ensure consistent safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.Operator training programs and on-the-job coaching — design and deliver to develop emerging and developing technicians toward independent proficiency.System-wide product movement and pipeline capacity strategies — plan and optimize across processing, storage, and shipping units for maximum throughput.Organizational safety culture and compliance framework — champion and model at the facility level, influencing behaviors across all production personnel.Control panel and field operations improvement initiatives — lead by evaluating industrial control software upgrades and recommending process automation enhancements.Cross-departmental coordination with engineering, maintenance, and management — direct to align operational schedules with plant-wide production and business objectives.Incident investigation and root-cause analysis for equipment failures and process upsets — lead formally, producing written findings and actionable corrective-action plans.Regulatory reporting and audit preparation for environmental and safety agencies — oversee at the facility level, ensuring documentation accuracy and submission timeliness.Performance metrics for pump, valve, and metering operations — define, track using inventory and spreadsheet systems, and use to drive measurable operational improvements.Knowledge-sharing sessions and procedural updates — facilitate regularly so that workforce competency and process documentation keep pace with evolving refinery technology.
Also known as
89 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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