Refinery Operator - Entry Level

Big West Oil; North Salt Lake (UT); On-site; USD 33,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Additional retirement contributions

Job summary

Big West Oil in North Salt Lake, UT seeks an entry-level Loader to safely load and unload products from rail cars. The role provides foundational refinery operations knowledge and opportunities for progression through internal processes toward operator roles.

The position emphasizes safety, reliability, and a proactive approach. Requires a high school diploma or GED and willingness to learn, with a pre-employment physical and ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Entry-level position; prior industrial, mechanical, or safety-sensitive work experience preferred.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

Responsibilities

• Load and unload hot oil rail cars following established procedures and safety requirements, including verifying proper flow and documenting volumes.
• Inspect work area and equipment, properly connect/disconnect loading arms and hoses, and ensure safe movement of product.
• Comply with rail safety, hazmat, environmental, plant policy and safety procedures.

Skills

Safety awareness

Mechanical aptitude

Willingness to learn

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

BIG WEST NORTH SALT LAKE
333 W. CENTER STREET
NORTH SALT LAKE, UT 84054, USA

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Loader position is an entry-level Operations role responsible for safely loading and unloading a variety of products from rail cars, performing tanker and work area inspections, ensuring proper connection of loading arms and hoses, monitoring loading and unloading operations, and maintaining compliance with rail safety, hazmat, and plant operating requirements.

This role is designed to build foundational refinery operations knowledge while preparing employees for future Operations opportunities. After becoming qualified in the Loader role and as opportunities become available through the applicable internal processes, employees may move into other Operations roles and continue progressing toward qualified operator positions in those areas. Success in the Loader role requires a strong safety mindset, mechanical aptitude, initiative, reliability, and a willingness to continuously learn the next level of responsibility.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Load and unload hot oil rail cars following established procedures and safety requirements, including verifying proper flow, identifying abnormal conditions, and accurately documenting volumes or required operating information.
• Inspect the work area, equipment, loading arms, hoses, valves, and related connections before, during, and after operations, and properly connect, disconnect, and move product safely within the assigned work area.
• Comply with rail safety, hazmat, environmental, plant policy, standard operating procedure, permit, lockout/tagout, confined space, line-breaking, and other refinery safety requirements.
• Build working knowledge of assigned operating areas, including equipment purpose, process flow, normal operating conditions, documentation requirements, and basic troubleshooting expectations.
• Work safely around pumps, valves, tanks, piping, rail equipment, hot oil systems, and other refinery equipment while communicating effectively with Operations, supervision, maintenance, and other work groups.
• Maintain housekeeping standards and promptly report unsafe conditions, equipment concerns, spills, leaks, or process abnormalities.
• Participate in shift turnover, job briefings, safety meetings, training, cross-training, certifications, and area-specific qualification processes to support progression toward future operator roles.
• Demonstrate initiative as a self-starter, show willingness to learn new skills, and use downtime productively for training, area familiarization, and improvement activities.
• Actively learn the next position up, participate in cross-training opportunities, and pass off and maintain all certifications required for the assigned role.

Demonstrate dependability, sound judgment, teamwork, communication, and accountability consistent with expectations for future operator roles

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: High school diploma or GED required.
Experience: Entry-level position; prior industrial, mechanical, or safety-sensitive work experience preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be able to climb ladders and stairs, work at heights, and navigate uneven surfaces in an operating refinery environment. Required to wear PPE including FRC clothing, hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toe boots, and hearing protection. May be required to wear respiratory protection and personal gas monitors, including H2S and LEL monitors. Must be able to work in outdoor conditions including extreme heat, cold, and inclement weather. Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

ABOUT FJ MANAGEMENT & BIG WEST OIL

Big West Oil LLC is proudly owned and operated by FJ Management, ranked #134 on Forbes' 2025 America's Top Private Companies list with over 15,000 employees. Our North Salt Lake refinery employs approximately 270 people with an average tenure of 12 years—a testament to our family-oriented culture.

We pride ourselves on environmental stewardship and our commitment to employees and our community. Through FJ Management's Call to Action Philanthropies, Big West Oil helps fund initiatives that have invested more than $130 million since 2007 to strengthen working families across the West and Midwest—supporting affordable housing, scholarships, food security, and early childhood education.

• Entry rate of pay $29.39
• Retirement programs – 401(k) matching and additional contributions

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.