Location: Big Lake, TX
Type: W2 Contract (Long term)
Work Setup: On-site (7/7 Rotational)
Industry: Oil & Gas
Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision & 401(k)
Position Overview
The Operations Technician is responsible for the safe, efficient operation, monitoring, and maintenance preparation of wells, processing units, and associated facilities. This role requires strong experience with oil, gas, and water separation facilities, major utilities, and supporting operations.
This is a large project environment that includes new facility start-up, use of operating tools and procedures, work-permitting systems, and training. Candidates with prior experience in new facility start-ups and ongoing operations are highly desirable.
Key Responsibilities
Safety & Compliance
- Maintain personal safety and the safety of co-workers at all times.
- Follow and enforce all company safety rules, procedures, and policies.
- Issue Safe Work Permits, requiring strong knowledge of current operating conditions, chemical hazards, personnel safety, and process risks.
- Perform gas testing as required to confirm safe conditions for maintenance activities.
- Inspect and maintain safety equipment, including safety valves, fire extinguishers, fire hoses, breathing apparatus, and related equipment.
- Perform all work in compliance with environmental policies, minimizing impacts such as flaring emissions and oil spills.
Operations & Monitoring
- Serve as the primary operations contact for assigned facilities.
- Demonstrate thorough understanding of process flow, basic chemistry, unit line-ups, isolation points, and safety systems.
- Monitor and optimize process performance using computer systems, SCADA, and generated schematics.
- Conduct routine field inspections using sight, hearing, smell, and touch to ensure proper equipment operation.
- Monitor tanks, meters, pressures, temperatures, levels, flows, vibration, and chemical injection rates.
- Collect and record accurate operating data, including product sampling and gauge readings.
- Adjust local process parameters (temperature, pressure, flow, etc.) to maintain product specifications.
- Diagnose and respond to alarms, utilizing data trending and SCADA tools.
Maintenance & Field Support
- Perform basic equipment maintenance, including:
- Adding lube oil and water
- Tightening valve packing
- Replacing filters and steam traps
- Clearing blocked equipment
- Check and verify control valve positioning.
- Perform winterization and summerization to ensure maximum equipment efficiency.
- Monitor equipment using electronic test equipment, handheld monitors, and computer-based systems.
- Maintain company vehicle in safe, working condition.
Coordination & Communication
- Coordinate oil sales and saltwater hauling as required.
- Communicate regularly with Production Foreman regarding operating conditions, changes, and required actions.
- Maintain accurate electronic or paper gauge sheets and document reasons for production variances.
- Participate in continuous improvement initiatives related to operations, safety, and efficiency.
- Work independently when required while supporting overall team objectives.
- Demonstrate reliable attendance and a strong work ethic.
Skills & Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Previous experience in a closely related oil & gas operations role.
- Ability and willingness to work rotating shifts.
- Availability for call-outs as operational needs dictate.
- Physically capable of lifting over 50 lbs and climbing ladders and stairways.
- Ability to use Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and other safety detection equipment.
Technical & Professional Skills
- Hands-on experience operating, maintaining, and repairing oil & gas surface equipment.
- Strong troubleshooting skills for diagnosing and resolving equipment and process alarms.
- Experience with SCADA systems and data trending.
- Comfortable working independently, especially during night shifts (reduced paperwork).
- Computer proficient with strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural team environment.