Operator - refinery operations

Viva Energy; Geelong; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Viva Energy operates the Geelong Refinery in Australia and is seeking experienced Operators to join our safety‑critical, shift-based team. You will monitor refinery processing units, perform field rounds and respond to upsets while upholding strict safety and regulatory standards.

You will engage in start‑up and shutdown activities, contribute to continuous improvement and work with Operations, Maintenance and Technical teams to optimise plant performance in a high‑hazard environment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and operate refinery process units and equipment.
• Conduct routine plant inspections and field rounds.
• Start-up, shut-down and isolate plant equipment in accordance with operating procedures.
• Monitor process conditions and respond to abnormal operating situations.
• Participate in permit-to-work, isolation and lockout/tagout activities.
• Support maintenance activities through plant preparation and reinstatement.
• Identify and report safety hazards, operational risks and improvement opportunities.
• Contribute to incident investigations and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate operational logs and shift handover documentation.
• Work collaboratively with Operations, Maintenance and Technical teams to optimise plant performance.

Job description

At Viva Energy, we play a critical role in supplying the energy that keeps Australia moving. Our Geelong Refinery is one of Australia's most important petrochemical facilities, processing crude oil into a wide range of fuels and products that support industry, transport, aviation, and everyday life.

We are seeking experienced and safety-focused Operators to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a complex, high-hazard processing environment where safety, operational excellence and teamwork are at the core of everything we do.

Key Responsibilities

As an Operator, you will be responsible for the safe, reliable and efficient operation of refinery processing units and associated equipment. Working as part of a shift-based operations team, you will monitor plant performance, conduct field operations, respond to process upsets and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

You will play a key role in ensuring our refinery operates safely, efficiently and in compliance with all regulatory and operational requirements.

• Monitor and operate refinery process units and equipment.


• Conduct routine plant inspections and field rounds.


• Start-up, shut-down and isolate plant equipment in accordance with operating procedures.


• Monitor process conditions and respond to abnormal operating situations.


• Participate in permit-to-work, isolation and lockout/tagout activities.


• Support maintenance activities through plant preparation and reinstatement.


• Identify and report safety hazards, operational risks and improvement opportunities.


• Contribute to incident investigations and continuous improvement initiatives.


• Maintain accurate operational logs and shift handover documentation.


• Work collaboratively with Operations, Maintenance and Technical teams to optimise plant performance.