Plant Operator Intern

ONEOK Services Company LLC; Watford City (ND); On-site; USD 7,164,000 - 12,398,000; Full time

Job summary

ONEOK is seeking a Plant Operations Intern to gain hands-on experience in operating and maintaining natural gas gathering and processing facilities at the Watford City site. The program emphasizes plant operations, safety protocols, and environmental stewardship with typical dates from late May to early August.

Interns will shadow operations, assist with routine maintenance, participate in safety initiatives, and contribute to projects enhancing efficiency and sustainability.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• Enrolled in a relevant technical or mechanical program.
• Must be 18+ and able to work outdoors.

Responsibilities

• Learn daily operation and monitoring of plant equipment and systems.
• Support routine maintenance activities for performance and reliability.
• Participate in safety and environmental initiatives to support zero-incident culture.
• Collaborate with team to identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities.
• Assist with development of presentations, training, and knowledge sharing.

Skills

Safety culture

Teamwork

Written & verbal communication

Analytical skills

Initiative

Attention to detail

Strong work ethic

Education

High school diploma

Currently enrolled in technical/mechanical program

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

About ONEOK: ONEOK, Inc. is a leading midstream service provider in the energy sector, committed to delivering energy products and services vital to an advancing world. We create exceptional value for our stakeholders by providing solutions for a transforming energy future.

Position Overview: As a Plant Operations Intern at ONEOK, Inc., you will gain hands‑on experience in the operation and maintenance of our natural gas gathering and processing facilities. This internship is designed to provide you with practical knowledge and skills in plant operations, safety protocols, and environmental stewardship. Internships typically begin towards the end of May and run through the first or second week of August. Exact dates will be agreed upon between you and the hiring manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Learn about and assist with the daily operation and monitoring of plant equipment and systems.
• Support routine maintenance activities to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
• Participate in safety and environmental compliance initiatives, adhering to ONEOK’s commitment to a zero‑incident culture.
• Collaborate with team members to identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities.
• Contribute to the development of innovative solutions to enhance plant efficiency and sustainability.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required and must be at least 18 years old.
• Currently enrolled in a relevant technical or mechanical program preferred.
• Strong commitment to safety and environmental responsibility.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.
• Basic understanding of plant operations and maintenance principles is a plus.
• Willingness to work outdoors in various weather conditions.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Assist in a wide range of responsibilities inclusive of job shadowing, preparing reports, analyzing data, learning about various operational, technical, and/or business-related compliance, regulatory, and/or technical components. Assist with development of presentations, trainings, knowledge sharing, and/or other administrative responsibilities 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

The candidate should be currently pursuing a certificate or degree relevant to the internship field.

Work Experience

None required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• take initiative, demonstrate a positive attitude with an eagerness to learn, and be adaptable
• apply basic arithmetic: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and/or advanced math, algebra, and/or statistical methods
• communicate, exchange written and verbal information and/or instructions
• contribute critical thinking skills, work well in teams, have a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and strong verbal and written communication skills

Licenses and Certifications

None required.

Strength Factor Rating - Physical Demands/Requirements

Light Work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible.

Strength Factor Description

• 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 (Constantly)
• Tasting/Smelling: (Occasionally)
• 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)

NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.

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

Travel

Travel: Travel to other locations may be required. 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.