Catalyst Technician - Tech A & B

Socket.dev; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

USA DeBusk seeks a safety‑minded technician to work in oxygen, fertilizer, and petrochemical plants requiring confined‑space entry. You will support reactor maintenance, cleaning, sampling, and installation tasks under strict safety protocols.

This role demands physical fitness, medical clearance, TWIC credentials, and compliance with company and regulatory safety rules. You will coordinate with field crews to ensure safe, efficient operations in demanding industrial environments.

Qualifications

• Confined-space entry in reactors or enclosures.
• Must pass safety trainings including CPR/First Aid/EMERGENCY O2/AED/CS Rescue.
• Able to read and follow procedural work orders and safety rules.

Responsibilities

• Vacuum catalyst or materials and load supplies.
• Dismantle/install reactor hardware items.
• Clean and inspect reactor areas and enclosures.
• Take catalyst/material samples.
• Video-tape areas of concern.
• Assist in removal/replacement of reactor components.
• Set up and dismantle unloading/reloading equipment and safety systems.
• Perform maintenance on equipment under supervision.

Skills

Confined-space entry

Safety compliance

Equipment operation

Team communication

CPR/First Aid

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

TWIC card

Job description

Company Profile:

USA DeBusk offers the industrial infrastructure sector a technologically advanced and complementary suite of high-value traditional and specialty services for turnarounds, routine maintenance, and unplanned outages. We help customers save time, reduce costs, and optimize their processes while assuring best-in-class safety and compliance. Primary service lines include chemical cleaning; emission controls; fabrication services; FCCU hot catalyst handling; hydro blasting; hydro excavation; hydro cutting; inert catalyst handling; inspection; mechanical rental; nitrogen; pigging, decoking & filtration; pipeline integrity and field services; reactor cleaning; tank cleaning; transportation; unit decontamination; vacuum services; and waste solutions. USA DeBusk was founded in 2012, and our headquarters is in Deer Park, TX. We operate numerous offices, service centers, and customer-site-based locations across North America. Visit www.usadebusk.com for more information.

Position Summary:

This position requires work in Oxygen, Fertilizer, and petrochemical plants/refineries requiring confined space entry in air, and inert atmospheric conditions. Scope of work requires entry into single/multi-bed reactors or other enclosures, some of which will contain an oxygen-deficient atmosphere.

Duties and Responsibilities:

(This list is intended to show ongoing primary duties. Employee may be expected to perform other duties as assigned. The Company reserves the right to add or change at any time.).

• Vacuum catalyst or other materials, spread and load catalyst or other materials. Shovel catalyst or material to the outside of the reactor.
• Dismantle and/or Install various reactor hardware items.
• Clean/wipe/wash/scrape relevant areas of the reactor or other enclosure.
• Take samples of catalysts or other materials.
• Video-tape specified areas of concern.
• Assist in the removal or replacement of all items from or into the reactor.
• Set up and dismantle all unloading and reloading equipment. Set up, utilize, and dismantle screeners, drum dumpers, airlocks, dust collectors, cooling/refrigeration units, and various other major components.
• Perform various degrees of maintenance on all equipment with direct and indirect supervision.
• Promotes the company’s business by conducting work assignments with a positive attitude and professional safe manner.
• Provide ground support during any USA Debusk fieldwork.
• Cleans up work area and equipment after work is completed. Assists in maintaining a safe, clean workplace, change room, locker area, and customer’s plant.
• Assists in the operation of equipment or power tools as directed and in accordance with an established company, customer plant safety rules, and the required regional legislation.
• Assist in the inspection of equipment, hoses, connections, pumps, and general work area prior to starting any job. Informs supervisor of deficiencies, which may cause accidents, injuries, or lost productivity.
• Inspects PPE, equipment, hoses, connections, pumps, and general work area prior to starting any job. Corrects or advises immediate supervisor to correct deficiencies that may cause accidents, injuries, lost productivity, or which are inconsistent with the work order or customer’s requirements.
• Reports to work on scheduled time. If unable to show up for assigned work, notifies supervisor no less than two (2) hours in advance of the scheduled time.
• Wears the personnel protective equipment prescribed by posted signs, written instructions, and work permits. Also wears additional protective equipment specified by the supervisor or customer safety department.
• Promotes safety through own actions and work habits. Reports all incidents, accidents, and near misses, involving self, company vehicles, or other job personnel to supervisor immediately.
• Performs Hazard Recognition Awareness to remove or identify for removal of all hazards from the workplace.
• Complies with all applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the company, customer, and pertinent government legislation.
• Develops an advanced working knowledge of all equipment that is utilized in performing assigned duties.
• Completes all paperwork associated with the work performed.
• Performs all other duties as assigned by supervisor and management personnel.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent desired, about to complete new hire paperwork, pass safety training courses including CPR/First Aid/ Emergency O2/AED/CS Rescue, and acceptable job performance evaluations.
• 1 year in the petrochemical industry, 5 years in catalyst work preferred.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 1 year, within the industrial cleaning industry.
• TWIC card or be able to obtain one.
• Understand and follows verbal and written instructions.
• Basic mechanical ability and knowledge of associated tools.
• Basic safety training skills.
• Perform work in enclosed (confined) space, if project/ evaluation requires.
• Basic communication skills.
• Obtain medical clearance this includes successful completion of annual Full Respirator Clearance, Pulmonary Function Testing, Physical Fitness Evaluations, Biological Screening if required, Urinalysis Screening, Audiometric.
• Pass 3rd Party Consortium Alcohol, Drug, and Hair Follicle Testing for controlled substances.
• Pass a criminal background check.
• Acceptable MVR and valid driver’s license if authorized to operate company vehicles and motorized equipment including forklifts, etc.
• Physically capable of performing all duties and responsibilities assigned. Specifically, lift 50 pounds.
• Physically capable to stand and/or walk continuously for long periods of time if necessary.
• Physically capable of climbing, balance, bend/stoop, and kneel continuously.
• Physically capable of climbing ladders and scaffolds (vertical and inclined) to heights in excess of 10’ ft.
• Physically capable of frequently crouch, push/pull, squat, and work above the shoulders during the performance of the daily job routine.
• Physically & emotionally capable to work in confined spaces.
• Physically capable to enter confined spaces with manways 20-56” inch diameter clearances.
• Physically capable to perform and assist during emergency rescues.
• Capable of working in and around oxygen-deficient atmospheres, such as IDLH atmospheres.
• Physically capable of working outdoors (heat, cold, humidity, etc.).
• Physically capable of wearing personal protective equipment. PPE to be used includes: hard hat, gloves, mono goggles, safety glasses, double & single hearing protection, Fire Retardant Clothing, full face respirator, life support helmet, and equipment for inert entries, etc.
• Physically capable to drive vehicles with the appropriate license.

Work Environment:

• Heavy industrial, chemical plants, and refineries.
• Sustained physical effort, climbing, wearing supplied air and air-purifying respirators, exposure to dust, outdoor work, and 12–14-hour shifts days or nights.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

USA DeBusk is an equal opportunity employer, and we thrive on our differences for the benefit of our employees, our customers, and our community. It is our policy to provide equal opportunities in all decisions related to hiring, training, and promoting regardless of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin, ancestry, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status or any legally protected characteristic or class.