Plant Operator

Occidental Petroleum Corporation; United States; On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Occidental Petroleum Corporation in the United States is seeking a Plant Operator to safely operate, monitor, and maintain plant equipment to meet daily production goals. You will perform inspections, respond to alarms, document data, and coordinate with maintenance and operations staff.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED, prior plant operations experience, ability to read procedures, and willingness to work rotating shifts.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience in plant operations, production, oil/gas or related industrial environment preferred.
• Ability to read and follow operating procedures and safety policies.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and ability to recognize abnormal conditions.
• Familiarity with log sheets and electronic work systems.

Responsibilities

• Operate plant equipment and controls per procedures and safety requirements.
• Monitor process conditions to maintain stable, efficient operations.
• Perform rounds, inspections, and field checks for leaks or hazards.
• Respond to alarms and process upsets; coordinate with maintenance.
• Record data and communicate status and maintenance needs to team.

Skills

Plant operations

Safety compliance

Reading SOPs

Shift work

Basic Office tools

Log sheets

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Electronic work systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Oxy produces, markets and transports oil and natural gas to maximize value and provide resources fundamental to life. The company leverages its global leadership in carbon management to advance lower‑carbon technologies and products. Headquartered in Houston, Oxy primarily operates in the United States, Middle East and North Africa. To learn more, visit Oxy Oxy strives to attract and retain talented employees by investing in their professional development and providing rewarding opportunities for personal growth. Our goal is to meet the highest employer standards by ensuring the health and safety of our employees, protecting the environment and positively impacting our communities where we do business.

The Plant Operator is responsible for safely operating, monitoring, and maintaining plant equipment and processes to ensure reliable, efficient and compliant facility operations. This role supports daily production goals by performing equipment inspections, responding to alarms or abnormal conditions, documenting operating data, and working closely with maintenance, supervision, and other operations personnel. The Plant Operator is expected to follow established procedures, maintain a strong safety focus, and contribute to continuous improvement across the facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate plant equipment, systems, and controls in accordance with standard operating procedures, production requirements, and safety expectations.
• Monitor process conditions such as pressures, temperatures, levels, flows, alarms, and equipment status to maintain stable and efficient operations.
• Perform routine rounds, inspections, and field checks to identify leaks, abnormal vibrations, unusual noises, equipment failures, or unsafe conditions.
• Start up, shut down, and adjust equipment as directed by operating procedures, supervision, or changing process conditions.
• Respond promptly to alarms, equipment issues, process upsets, and emergency situations while following established response procedures.
• Record operating data, readings, inspections, work activities, and equipment conditions accurately in logs, reports, or electronic systems.
• Communicate operational status, concerns, maintenance needs, and shift turnover information clearly with team members and supervisors.
• Assist with troubleshooting process or equipment problems and coordinate with maintenance personnel to support repairs and reliability improvements.
• Support lockout/tagout, permitting, line breaks, confined space entry, and other safe work practices as required.
• Maintain housekeeping standards and keep work areas clean, organized, and free of unnecessary hazards.
• Participate in safety meetings, training, emergency drills, hazard recognition activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Follow all company policies, regulatory requirements, environmental standards, and site-specific procedures.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Previous experience in plant operations, production, manufacturing, oil and gas, chemical processing, utilities, or a related industrial environment preferred.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow operating procedures, safety policies, equipment manuals, and work instructions.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and ability to recognize abnormal equipment or process conditions.
• Ability to use radios, computers, log sheets, electronic work systems, and basic Microsoft Office tools as required.
• Valid driver’s license may be required depending on site responsibilities.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, and callouts as business needs require.

Preferred Skills and Competencies

• Strong commitment to safety, environmental compliance, and operational discipline.
• Good troubleshooting, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to remain calm and focused during abnormal or emergency situations.
• Clear communication skills and ability to work effectively with operations, maintenance, contractors, and supervision.
• Strong attention to detail when recording readings, completing checklists, and monitoring process changes.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and work independently with limited supervision.
• Willingness to learn new systems, technologies, procedures, and operating practices.

Safety and Environmental Expectations

The Plant Operator is expected to perform all work in a safe, responsible, and environmentally compliant manner. This includes identifying hazards, stopping unsafe work when necessary, using required personal protective equipment, following permit and isolation procedures, reporting incidents or near misses, and supporting a culture where safety and environmental stewardship are core priorities.

Physical Requirements

Ability to stand, walk, climb stairs and ladders, bend, reach, lift, and work in an industrial plant environment. Ability to work outdoors and indoors in varying weather conditions, temperatures, noise levels, and operational environments. Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, which may include hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, flame-resistant clothing, respirator, or other site-required PPE. Ability to lift or move materials within company and regulatory guidelines. Ability to respond to alarms, equipment issues, and emergency situations as required by the position.

Work Environment

This position typically works in an industrial plant or production environment that may include operating equipment, process units, control rooms, field locations, mechanical systems, and outdoor areas. The role may require shift work, overtime, emergency response, and coordination with multiple departments to maintain safe and reliable operations.

Performance Expectations

• Operate equipment safely and reliably while minimizing downtime and process interruptions.
• Maintain accurate documentation and effective shift-to-shift communication.
• Identify and report hazards, equipment concerns, and improvement opportunities in a timely manner.
• Demonstrate ownership of assigned areas, daily responsibilities, and site expectations.
• Support team goals by contributing to safe production, environmental compliance, reliability, and continuous improvement.

Recruitment Fraud

We will never:

• Ask you to pay for applications, interviews, meetings, processing, training or for any other fees
• Use recruiting or placement agencies that charge candidates an advance fee of any kind or
• Request personal information such as passport and bank account details at an early stage of our recruitment process.

We recommend against responding to unsolicited business propositions or offers from people you don't know.

Do not disclose your personal or financial details.

If you believe you have been the victim of a recruiting scam, please contact your local police department.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

Oxy has bold ambitions to achieve net zero and help others do the same. To get there, we’ll need great minds ready to unleash big ideas, strong leaders ready to inspire and team players ready to make it happen.

Does this sound like you?

Oxy produces energy and essential products to sustain and improve life on our planet. Our experienced teams, located in the United States, Middle East and Africa, are committed to safe and efficient operations and products, and to reducing our carbon footprint and helping others do the same. We are busy developing the big ideas and broad solutions we will need to achieve net zero. Every day, we get closer. And we won’t stop until we’re there.