Plant Operator

ONEOK; Keene (ND); On-site; USD 63,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

ONEOK is seeking a Warehouse/Plant Operator to oversee safe operation of oil and gas liquids processing facilities. You will monitor and operate equipment, assist with maintenance preparations, and ensure compliance with safety, environmental and performance standards.

The role requires hands-on mechanical aptitude and the ability to work outdoors in varying conditions, with a focus on reliability and teamwork with maintenance and operations staff.

Qualifications

• No formal education required.
• No prior work experience required.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor processing plant equipment including compressors, motors, engines, pumps, turbines, and treating systems.
• Assist with equipment preparation for maintenance including permitting and lock out tag out.
• Monitor operating conditions and respond to abnormal or hazardous conditions.
• Maintain logs and report safety/environmental concerns.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Safety awareness

Analytical ability

Reading drawings

Computer literacy

Communication

Team coordination

Tools

Compressors

Motors

Engines

Pumps

Turbines

Treating systems

Job description

#WeAreONEOK – Fortune 500 company. 100+ years in business. Leading midstream service provider. Safety first. Sustainable operations. Environmentally responsible. Employee focused.

Job Summary

At ONEOK, Plant Operators play a critical role in the safe, reliable operation of our oil and gas liquids processing facilities. In this position, you’ll be responsible for monitoring, operating, and maintaining a wide range of plant equipment—including compressors, pumps, turbines, engines, motors, and treating systems—while ensuring operations meet ONEOK’s high standards for safety, environmental stewardship, and performance. You’ll support day‑to‑day plant operations, prepare equipment for maintenance through permitting and lock‑out/tag‑out procedures, assist with repairs, and respond quickly to abnormal or hazardous conditions. This role is well suited for hands‑on operators who enjoy working in dynamic environments, troubleshooting equipment, and partnering closely with maintenance and operations teams. Success in this position requires strong attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, comfort working safely around high‑pressure systems and rotating equipment, and the ability to work both indoors and outdoors in varying conditions. As a Plant Operator at ONEOK, you’ll be part of a team that values safety, accountability, and operational excellence while offering long‑term career growth in the energy industry. ONEOK provides a geographical allowance of $1,500 a month (pre-tax) for this position in addition to the base salary.

Job Profile Summary

Assist with or perform activities related to operation and maintenance of oil and gas liquid processing facilities under supervision.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

• Assist with or operate processing plant equipment including, but not limited to:
  • Compressors
  • Motors
  • Engines
  • Cooling equipment
  • Auxiliary units
  • Pumps
  • Turbines
  • Treating systems
• Operate loading/unloading rack (as specified by position)
• Monitor and control equipment operating conditions
• Start, stop, and operate equipment
• Assist with equipment preparation for maintenance activities including, but not limited to:
  • Permitting
  • Lock out tag out
  • Decommissioning
• Assist mechanics and others in performing repairs to equipment
• Identify and report any safety and/or environmental concerns
• Compile and/or maintain information such as time sheets, work logs, safety/environmental forms, and equipment maintenance and repair records
• Drive and ensure maintenance is complete on company vehicles
• Responsibilities may include Department of Transportation (DOT) covered functions, including operations, maintenance, or emergency response on a pipeline. Job duties also require the employee to be alert and respond immediately to dangerous or hazardous conditions, and where impaired performance, or failure to follow safety precautions, could result in serious injury or property damage.

Education

None Required.

Work Experience

None required.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of: compressor station, storage field, gathering field, and/or processing plant operations
• Knowledge of: computers. Demonstrated ability to access and/or perform basic computer functions utilizing company software applications.
• Knowledge of: gas and liquid processing fundamentals
• Knowledge of: applicable company and governmental operating practices and procedures
• Knowledge of: safe handling of flammable gases, liquids, and high‑pressure systems
• Ability to: analyze, adjust, and perform minor repairs on equipment
• Ability to: apply addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
• Ability to: read/understand drawings, diagrams, work logs, dials, gauges, charts, procedures, and operational and repair manuals
• Ability to: maintain and prepare information such as safety/environmental reports, work logs, maintenance/repair logs, and time sheets
• Ability to: interact and communicate effectively
• Ability to: communicate and/or exchange information and instructions

Licenses and Certifications

None required

Strength Factor Rating - Physical Demands/Requirements

• Heavy Work - Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Medium Work.

Strength Factor Description - Physical Demands/Requirements

• Standing: Remaining on one’s feet in an upright position at a work station without moving about (Frequently)
• Walking: Moving about on foot (Frequently)
• Sitting: Remaining in a seated position (Occasionally)
• Lifting: Raising or lowering an object from one level to another (includes upward pulling) (Occasionally)
• Carrying: Transporting an object, usually holding it in the hands or arms, or on the shoulder (Occasionally)
• Pushing: Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves away from the force (Occasionally)
• Pulling: Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves toward the force (includes jerking) (Occasionally)
• Climbing: Ladders, Stairs (Occasionally)
• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling (Occasionally)
• Stooping: Bending the body downward and forward by bending the spine at the waist (Occasionally)
• Kneeling: Bending the legs at the knees to come to rest on the knee or knees (Occasionally)
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending the legs and spine (Occasionally)
• Crawling: Moving about on the hands and arms in any direction (Occasionally)
• Reaching: Extending hands and arms in any direction (Constantly)
• Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning or otherwise working with the hand or hands (Manual Dexterity) (Constantly)
• Fingering: Picking, pinching or otherwise working with the fingers primarily (Finger Dexterity) (Constantly)
• Feeling: Perceiving such attributes of objects/materials as size, shape, temperature, texture, movement or pulsation by receptors in the skin, particularly those of the finger tips (Constantly)
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas/information by means of the spoken word (Frequently)
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sound by the ear (Frequently)
• Tasting/Smelling: (Constantly)
• Near Vision: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less (Constantly)
• Far Vision: Clarity of vision at 20 feet for more (Constantly)
• Depth Perception: Three-dimensional vision; ability to judge distances and spatial relationships so as to see objects where and as they actually are (Constantly)
• Vision: Color - The ability to identify and distinguish colors (Constantly)

Working Conditions/Environment

• Employee is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions

Working Conditions

• Well lighted, climate controlled areas (Frequently)
• Outdoor weather conditions (Frequently)
• Wet or humid conditions (not weather related) (Frequently)
• Extreme cold (not weather related) (Frequently)
• Extreme heat (not weather related) (Frequently)
• Dust, fumes, gases (Frequently)
• Moving mechanical parts (Frequently)
• Potential electric shock (Frequently)
• Prolonged exposure to vibration (Frequently)
• High pitched noises/loud noises (Frequently)
• Unprotected heights (Frequently)
• Frequent repetitive motion (Constantly)
• CRT (Computer Monitor(s)) (Constantly)

Travel

• Travel to company locations and/or for training

Driving

• Based on assigned tasks, employee may be assigned a company vehicle requiring the applicable driver’s license

ONEOK is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, national origin, gender identity, disability, military/veteran status, genetic information or any other categories protected by applicable law.

The job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of ONEOK.

ONEOK is committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request an accommodation email [e-mail] or call 1-855-663-6547 .

Expected Salary Range

$63,000.00 - $95,000.00