Plant Operator - Senior

ONEOK; Mentone (TX); On-site; USD 83,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

ONEOK is seeking a Senior Plant Operator to safely operate oil and gas processing facilities, monitor critical equipment, and perform advanced maintenance with limited supervision. The role includes permitting, lockout/tagout, and environmental compliance, while mentoring junior staff in a fast-paced plant setting.

Ideal candidates will have experience with compressor stations, gas/liquid processing, and strong problem-solving abilities, emphasizing safety and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Experience with compressor stations, storage fields, gathering fields, and/or processing plant operations.
• Experience fundamentals in gas and liquid processing and safe handling of high-pressure systems.
• Experience reading drawings, diagrams, logs, gauges, and manuals.
• Experience maintaining safety/environmental reports and work logs.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain processing plant equipment including compressors, motors, engines, cooling equipment, pumps, turbines, and treating systems.
• Monitor and control pressures, temperatures, and flow rates.
• Start, stop, and operate equipment; prepare for maintenance with permitting and lockout/tagout.
• Assist mechanics with repairs to compressors, engines, turbines, and related equipment; provide training to newer operators.
• Maintain safety/environmental documentation and report concerns.
• DOT/ pipeline duties and emergency response as required.

Skills

Process operations

Mechanical aptitude

Troubleshooting

Team development

Safety awareness

Education

None Required

Tools

DCS / Control Boards

Job description

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

The Senior Plant Operator is responsible for the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of natural gas and liquids processing facilities while performing advanced-level operational and maintenance activities with limited supervision. This role operates and monitors critical equipment including compressors, engines, motors, pumps, turbines, treating systems, and DCS/control board systems to optimize plant performance and maintain product quality. Responsibilities include monitoring pressures, temperatures, and flow rates, starting and shutting down equipment, preparing systems for maintenance through permitting and lockout/tagout procedures, troubleshooting operational issues, and assisting with mechanical repairs and maintenance of rotating equipment and process systems. Additionally, this position provides mentorship and training to less experienced operators, maintains operational and safety documentation, and promotes compliance with environmental, safety, and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate has strong process operations experience, mechanical aptitude, troubleshooting skills, and a commitment to operational excellence, safety, and team development in a fast‑paced processing plant environment.

Job Profile Summary

Performs advanced level of activities related to operation and maintenance of oil and gas liquid processing facilities with limited supervision.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain processing plant equipment including, but not limited to:
• Compressors
• Motors
• Engines
• Cooling equipment
• Auxiliary units
• Pumps
• Turbines
• Treating systems
• DCS/Control Board
• Monitor and control pressures, temperatures, flow rates and reflux rates
• Start, stop, and operate equipment
• Prepare equipment for maintenance activities including, but not limited to:
• Permitting
• Lock out tag out
• Decommissioning
• Assist mechanics and others in performing repairs to compressors, engines, turbines, auxiliary equipment, pumps, process controls and related equipment
• Provide training to less experience operators
• 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

• Experience with and thorough knowledge of compressor station, storage field, gathering field, and/or processing plant operations
• Experience and training pertaining to:
• Gas and liquid processing fundamentals
• Applicable company and governmental operating practices and procedures
• Safe handling of flammable gases, liquids, and high‑pressure systems
• Experience reading and interpreting drawings, diagrams, work logs, dials, gauges, charts, procedures, and operational and repair manuals
• Experience maintaining and preparing information such as safety/environmental reports, work logs, maintenance/repair logs, and time sheets
• Experience interacting and communicating effectively

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Ability to: analyze, adjust, and perform minor repairs on compressor engines, process facilities and related equipment
• Ability to: apply addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
• Knowledge of: computers. Demonstrated ability to access and/or perform basic computer functions utilizing company software applications
• 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

$83,000.00 - $125,000.00