Technician II, Operations

Position Summary

This position oversees a portion or the entire production process of an assigned area for a given facility.  It manages certain workers and equipment within the assigned plant or area.  It ensures that the production process runs safely and smoothly and that the plant produces quality results.  It coordinates its efforts with technical, maintenance and supervisory personnel to complete all work safely and efficiently.

Essential Job Functions

Operations Technicians are responsible for the essential duties listed below as appropriate for their level, experience, training, and job.  Work can be inside or outside.

    Monitors recording instruments, flowmeters, panel lights, or other indicators; listens for warning signals; verifies conformity of process conditions; ensures proper production conditions

    Regulates or shuts down equipment during emergency situations as directed by supervisors; operates plant during startup and shut down

    Operates chemical processing or water treatment systems or equipment

    Controls and/or operates chemical processes or systems of machines; uses panelboards, control boards, or semi-automatic equipment

    Moves control settings to make necessary adjustments on equipment units affecting speeds of chemical reactions, quality, or yields

    Inspects operating units such as towers, soap-spray storage tanks, scrubbers, collectors, or driers; ensures that all function; maintains maximum efficiency of operation

    Draws product or material samples; conducts quality control tests; monitors processing; analyzes test results; ensures meeting standards; tests chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products as necessary

    Patrols work areas to ensure solutions in tanks or troughs don’t overflow; monitors fluid levels

    Records operating data such as process conditions, test results, or instrument readings; records operational or production data

    Turns valves to regulate product or byproduct flow; adjusts equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products

    Interprets chemical reactions visible through sight glasses or monitors; reviews laboratory test reports for required process adjustments

    Confers with technical and supervisory personnel to report or resolve conditions affecting safety, efficiency, or product quality; works to resolve production problems or equipment malfunctions

    Starts and stops pumps and other equipment as required by process; regulates flow rates

    Operates pumping systems or similar equipment; gauges tank levels; adjusts or re-directs flow as required

    Monitors equipment, production, flow rates, fluid levels; throughput, temperatures, etc.; ensures quality, efficiency and safety of plant

    Documents equipment readings, information or other data in appropriate logs

    Notifies maintenance or other appropriate personnel to correct equipment malfunctions or to adjust power, steam, water, or air supplies

    Calculates requirements or yields according to formulas; estimates material requirements for production as appropriate

    Performs Safe operations, basic maintenance and troubleshooting of the facility’s equipment and instruments

    Conducts continuous inspections of all key process points; identifies abnormal operations

    Abides by all safety procedures and practices applicable to location and position; participates in appropriate safety training; demonstrates commitment to and support of EHSS principles and values; champions safety at all times; participates in and/or leads safety teams or projects as appropriate

    Performs other duties assigned by management that generally fall within the expected scope of this position

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.  This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.  

Experience & KSA’s Required

    Experience in petrochemical plant preferred

    Excellent observation skills

    Ability to read and interpret instruments, gauges and other monitoring equipment

    Knowledge of general weights and measures 

    Read charts, meters and other output devices to manage machinery with a high level of precision

    Strong attention to small details and precision in all operations

    Good analytical, critical thinking and evaluation abilities

    Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and follow through on assignments

    Good computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite; ability to use database systems and other programs and applications used by this position and at Company

    Fluent in English language including reading, writing and speaking; ability to read and write at a minimum of high school level; ability to clearly communicate to all levels in organization

Education Requirement

    High School Diploma or GED required

    Technical degree in process technology or similar preferred

    Valid state driver’s license

Competencies

 All Company Core Competencies

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position requires an employee to be exposed to outside elements.  Most extreme elements are heat in the summer months of up to 100° and some exposure to cold of generally no less than 0° in the winter months.  There will be exposure to various chemicals and compounds, including fumes and smells, some of them hazardous.  The employee will enter confined spaces and work in elevated environments.  Employee must be able to wear PPE required by the location.  Loud sounds and vibrations will be experienced at times.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  All environments are safe with appropriate PPE.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk (sometimes over long distances), crawl, sit, speak, and hear.  The employee is required to stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; the employee will be required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch.  The employee will be required to climb ladders and storage tanks up to 350’ in height.  The employee will be required to enter confined spaces and crawl under rail cars or trucks.  The employee will lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.  Employee may be required to travel by car, truck, rail, air, or other land vehicles.