Operator Trainee

Par Pacific Holdings, Inc.; Kapolei (HI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Paid time off

401(k) with company match

Educational reimbursement

Stock purchase program

Job summary

Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. is seeking an Operator Trainee at the Kapolei Refinery to begin a hands-on training path in processing, treating, and distribution operations.

You will work under supervision to safely operate equipment, monitor processes, and participate in safety programs that protect personnel and the environment. The role emphasizes teamwork, clear communication, and building the technical knowledge required for reliable refinery operations.

Qualifications

• Legal authorization to work permanently in the United States without visa sponsorship.
• Eligible to obtain TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential).
• Valid U.S. Driver's License required.
• Willing to work 12-hour rotating day/night shifts and mandatory overtime.
• Must be able to climb ladders and work at heights up to 115 feet (~10–12 stories).
• Available to start in April 2027.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor processing equipment and systems safely.
• Report unsafe or abnormal conditions to the Shift Supervisor.
• Collect product samples and perform field quality-control testing.
• Complete shift turnovers and maintain required logs and surveys.
• Collaborate with maintenance, environmental, and contractor personnel.

Skills

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Clear communication

Relationship building

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Computer basics

Job description

• Operator Trainee at the Kapolei Refinery
• Launch a rewarding operations career with a growing downstream energy company committed to safety, teamwork, and employee development.
• Join a collaborative, high-performing team where clear communication, strong relationships, and working together are essential to our success.
• Receive hands-on training to safely operate processing, treating, and distribution units using manual equipment controls.
• Reporting to the Operations Assistant Superintendent, you will build the technical skills and operational knowledge needed to support safe, reliable refinery operations.

The Opportunity

• Operator Trainee at the Kapolei Refinery
• Launch a rewarding operations career with a growing downstream energy company committed to safety, teamwork, and employee development.
• Join a collaborative, high-performing team where clear communication, strong relationships, and working together are essential to our success.
• Receive hands-on training to safely operate processing, treating, and distribution units using manual equipment controls.
• Reporting to the Operations Assistant Superintendent, you will build the technical skills and operational knowledge needed to support safe, reliable refinery operations.

Key Activities Include

• Comply with and enforce established safety and environmental rules, standards, and regulations, including exercising Stop Work Authority when appropriate.
• Start up, operate, monitor, adjust, and shut down process equipment and systems, including pumps, air coolers, fired furnaces, and reciprocating and centrifugal compressors.
• Monitor process flows, temperatures, levels, and pressures in an outdoor operating environment, recognizing hazards and taking prompt action to prevent, eliminate, or mitigate process upsets.
• Troubleshoot equipment and process-related issues, monitor maintenance needs, prepare work notifications, and promptly report unsafe or abnormal conditions to the Shift Supervisor.
• Collect product samples and perform required field quality-control testing, including work at heights of up to 115 feet.
• Complete shift turnovers, participate in shift safety meetings, and accurately maintain required surveys, checklists, inventories, reports, and journals using company computer systems.
• Maintain assigned work areas and equipment in a safe, clean, and orderly condition.
• Collaborate effectively with maintenance, environmental, inspection, and contractor personnel, and assist with employee training as assigned.
• Attend emergency-response training, remain current on all required qualifications, including basic firefighting and respond to refinery emergencies as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Operations Supervisor.

Note: This description is intended to give you a general overview of the position. Additional responsibilities and opportunities may be identified based on current business needs.

Qualifications

To meet the basic qualifications for this role, you will have legal authorization to work permanently in the United States for any employer without requiring a visa transfer or visa sponsorship. To comply with the regulations at this work location, successful applicants must be eligible to obtain a TWIC card (Transportation Worker Identification Credential). Please review eligibility criteria at https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic.

Education And Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Three (3) years of successful full-time employment, previous full-time employment in an industrial capacity preferred
• Documented successful training in an electro-mechanical operation or trade preferred
• Computer knowledge, skills & abilities desired
• Knowledge of basic chemistry, engineering, and/or physics desired

Other Qualifications

• Must possess a valid, acceptable U.S. Driver's License
• Availability and willingness to work 12-Hour shifts on rotating day/night shift schedule required
• Must be available to work during off-hours to include staff coverage needs, emergencies & turnarounds
• Must be able to take call outs and be on standby frequently. Mandatory overtime required.
• Must be available and able to work weekends, holidays, day and night shifts on a regular and reliable basis
• Must be willing and able to climb ladders and work at heights of up to 115 feet (approximately 10-12 stories)

Additional Qualifications Include

• Complete aptitude testing within the test window - October 31-December 19
• Available to start in April 2027

About Us

At Par Pacific, we own and operate market-leading energy and infrastructure businesses in logistically complex markets. We have built a team of downstream industry veterans and subject matter experts to lead our organization with an entrepreneurial spirit and a collaborative, problem solving approach. We bring our diverse strengths and motivation to complex markets where we seek out diamonds in the rough. As a nimble, growing organization, we actively pursue new opportunities with corporate financing know-how, respond to local market demands, and adapt to changing external environments.

Unique Culture and RICH Values

There is nothing ordinary about Par Pacific -- a niche player in the energy space. And there's certainly nothing ordinary about Par Pacific employees. We are driven, hardworking, entrepreneurial-minded professionals who love to win. Our RICH values describe how we approach our work: Respect for Others, Integrity, Collaborative Innovation, and Heart. If that describes you, you'll fit right in.

Location, Location, Location

Because Par Pacific operates in some of the most beautiful places throughout the country, our employees get to make these places their home and enrich their lives. The manufacturing plant where you'll work is in the Kapolei (Campbell Industrial Park). Located on the southwest side of O'ahu, Kapolei, named for the volcanic cone Pu'u of Kapolei, is colloquially known as the "second city". It is a vibrant, affluent city that is growing rapidly and is within a few miles of beautiful beaches, campsites and adventure parks.

Opportunistic Growth Strategy

At Par Pacific, we look for operations with strong fundamentals and great employees who can move a business forward. Our management team has deep experience in the energy industry, as well as in leading mergers, acquisitions, and integrations of newly acquired companies.

Focused on the Future

We are an energy company that has recognized the imperative and embraced the opportunity to begin the transition from fossil fuels. We are developing products that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Excellent Compensation And Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a strong comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, a robust allotment of paid time off, a 401(k) with company match, retirement savings plans, educational reimbursement, and more. Full-time employees (and their families) are offered medical (with prescription coverage), dental, vision, voluntary critical illness, accident, life/AD&D insurance, Flexible Spending Account and Employee Assistance Program. Employees can purchase company stock at discounted prices through the Employee Stock Purchase Program.

Hiring Range

The hiring range for this position is $31.62 per hour based on Collective Bargaining Agreement

Our Headquarters

Par Pacific Holdings, Inc., based in Houston, Texas, owns, manages and maintains interests in energy and infrastructure businesses. We are a growing energy company focused on renewable and conventional fuels in the Western United States. Par Pacific also owns 46% of Laramie Energy, LLC, a natural gas production company with operations and assets concentrated in Western Colorado. Our common stock is publicly traded on the NYSE under the trading symbol "PARR".

Our Refineries and Logistics Operations

We own and operate refineries in Hawaii, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming, with total operating throughput capacity of over 219 Mbpd. Par Pacific owns and operates one of the largest energy networks in Hawaii with 94,000 bpd of operating refining capacity, a logistics system supplying the major islands of the state and 90 retail locations. In the Pacific Northwest and the Rockies, Par Pacific owns and operates 125,000 bpd of combined refining capacity and related multimodal logistics systems.

Our Retail Operations

We own and operate over 90 retail locations in Hawaii under the Hele and 76 brands and over 30 retail locations in Washington and Idaho under the nomnom brand.

Par Pacific Is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Par Pacific prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other status protected by applicable law.