Operator Intern, Sweeny Refinery

Phillips 66 Company; Texas; On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Phillips 66 is offering an Operator Intern position at the Sweeny Refinery in Old Ocean, Texas. You will support day-to-day refinery operations under the Production Superintendent, while meeting safety and training requirements. Applicants must be enrolled in the last year of a Process Technology degree program (as of January 2027) and be prepared for a February 2027 start date.

Relocation is not provided. An online assessment is required after application submission and must be completed within

Qualifications

• Enrolled (as of January 2027) in the last year of a Process Technology degree program.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• GPA at or above 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Valid driver's license.
• Willing to follow all safety rules and training requirements.
• Willing to work 20+ hours per week and overtime as needed.

Responsibilities

• Maintain equipment and operations.
• Climb ladders, tanks and towers.
• Take samples and read process streams.
• Initiate work orders and permits for the unit.
• Maintain safe and proper process operations and communicate effectively.
• Perform routine pipeline and terminal maintenance.
• Respond to emergencies and adhere to procedures.

Skills

Legally authorized to work

Valid driver’s license

Safety compliance

Communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Process Technology degree (final year)

GPA 2.5 (4.0 scale)

Tools

Excel

Word

SAP

Job description

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At Phillips 66, we care about the whole person. That means providing access to quality programs, resources and care that support you and your family. We believe well-being — physical, emotional, social and financial — plays an important role in helping our people thrive. When our employees are supported at every stage of life, they’re empowered to do their best work and make a meaningful impact, both personally and professionally.

Phillips 66 & YOU - Together we can fuel the future

What to Expect:

The Operator Intern, Sweeny Refinery supports day-to-day refinery operations. The selected candidates will be part of the operations team and will work under the direction of the Production Superintendent.

**APPLICANT MUST BE ENROLLED (AS OF JANUARY 2027) IN THEIR LAST YEAR OF A PROCESS TECHNOLOGY DEGREE PROGRAM.**

The anticipated internship start date is February 2027. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

This position requires the successful completion of an online assessment. If you meet the required qualifications of the position, a link to complete the assessment will be emailed to you immediately after your completed application is received. Please check your spam folder if you do not see the email. The assessment must be completed within 7 days of your application date OR prior to the job posting expiration date (November 9, 2026), whichever is earlier. Your assessment results will be valid for one year.

What You’ll Do:

• Maintaining equipment and operations
• Climbing ladders, tanks, and towers
• Taking samples/reading of various process streams
• Initiating work orders and permitting for work related to the assigned unit
• Maintaining proper and safe process operations of the operating equipment
• Communicating effectively during the shift and at shift relief regarding key process unit and equipment information
• Ability to climb, bend, lift and perform a wide range of physical activities
• Ability to work at various heights
• Ability to listen and follow instructions
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with other team members, leaders and operations personnel
• Ability to use a variety of safety and personal protective equipment
• Overtime work required at times, which may consist of nights and weekends
• Performing routine pipeline and terminal maintenance
• Identifying and resolving scheduling conflicts as they occur
• Ensuring accurate and timely completion of all paperwork
• Staying abreast of all changes in operations and procedures
• Performing operational duties in accordance with Procedures Guide and local Operating Procedures Guide
• Responding to emergencies and maintaining emergency and measurement equipment
• Completing mandated safety and regulatory training (Computer-Based Training)
• Maintaining effective and professional relationship with all customers and responding promptly to their needs
• Performing environmental and regulatory checks, eliminating, containing and reporting product and brine leaks, seeps and spills
• Monitoring and enforcing safety rules
• Occasionally assuming supervisory responsibilities during supervisor absence
• Assisting with construction and maintenance projects and pursuing cost reduction opportunities
• Working 12 hour shifts and some vacation relief

What You’ll Bring - Required:

• Legally authorized to work in the job posting country
• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• Enrolled (as of January 2027) in the last year of a Process Technology degree program
• Currently hold a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale – must maintain GPA at or above this level
• Currently hold a valid driver’s license
• Willing and able to follow all safety rules and regulations governing employees of Phillips 66
• Willing and able to pass Operator Core Training for Interns (Tier 2) and New Employee Safety Training
• Willing and able to provide transportation to and from work
• Willing and able to perform / comply with the following, with or without reasonable accommodation:
• To climb up to 250 feet in height
• To lift up to 50 pounds
• To work at least 20 hours a week
• To work overtime (if necessary), including nights and occasional weekends
• To work outside in harsh weather conditions
• To work with petroleum products that are under high pressure and heat
• To work in enclosed spaces, such as tanks and silos
• To work near large, hot, high-speed machines
• To work around chemicals, including acids and bases
• To wear fire retardant clothing and personal protective equipment (such as steel toed shoes, ear and eye protection, and fall protection)
• To maintain your face daily so that a respirator/face mask can seal properly (some examples include being free of facial hair and/or clean shaven) if applicable
• To read technical procedures and materials in English to learn computer software associated with process operations

What Makes You Stand Out - Preferred:

• Currently enrolled in the Brazosport College or Wharton County Junior College Process Operations degree program
• Safety and environmental alertness and promotion of a safe working environment, accomplished by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations
• Computer proficiency with Excel, Word, and SAP
• Use of good judgment and the ability to make decisions independently
• Able to comprehend and follow instructions
• Skills in self-motivation and personal organization
• Able to produce thorough and accurate paperwork
• Skills in effective communication and teamwork
• Able to adjust quickly to unexpected conditions, responding to emergencies
• Knowledgeable of LPG product quality specifications
• Able to interpret and evaluate data and detect problems
• Significant mechanical skills with mechanical and rotating equipment

Compensation

This position has a base hourly pay of $25.00 .

The Sweeny Refinery is located in Old Ocean, Texas. Refinery facilities include crude distilling, naphtha reforming, fluid catalytic cracking, alkylation, hydrodesulfurization, and aromatics units, as well as access to the on-site vacuum tower and delayed coking unit, which is an asset owned by Phillips 66 Partners. Sweeny processes heavy, high-sulfur crude oil and some light, low sulfur crude oil. Domestic, Canadian and other foreign crude oil is transported by truck, pipeline, marine transportation and terminals. The refinery produces a high percentage of transportation fuels. Other products include petrochemical feedstocks, heating oil and petroleum coke. The refinery receives crude oil by pipeline and via tankers, through terminals on the Gulf Coast, including a deepwater terminal at Freeport. Refined products are distributed throughout the Midcontinent region, southeastern and eastern United States by pipeline, barge and rail car. Refined products are also exported to Latin America by waterborne cargo.

Phillips 66 has more than 140 years of experience in providing the energy that enables people to dream bigger and go farther, faster. We are committed to improving lives, and that is our promise to our employees and our communities. We are sustained by the backgrounds and experiences of our diverse teams, which reflect who we are, the environment we create and how we work together. We have been recognized by the Human Rights Campaign, U.S. Department of Labor and the Military Times for our continued commitment to inclusive practices and policies in the hiring and retention of those in the LGBTQ+ community and military veterans. Our company is built on values of safety, honor and commitment. We call our cultural mindset Our Energy in Action, which we define through four simple, intuitive behaviors: We work for the greater good, cultivate an environment of trust, seek different perspectives and pursueexcellence.

Learn more about Phillips 66 and how we are working to meet the world's energy needs today and tomorrow, by visiting phillips66.com.

Candidates for regular U.S. positions must be a U.S. citizen or national, or an alien admitted as permanent resident, refugee, asylee or temporary resident under 8 U.S.C. 1160(a) or 1255(a)(1). Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, or TN or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.

Phillips 66 is an Equal Opportunity Employer