Terminal Operator

Plains; Cotulla (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Top-tier benefits

Job summary

Plains is seeking a Field-based Terminal Operator to oversee pipelines and terminal facilities in a safety-conscious environment. The role requires hands-on maintenance, monitoring, and equipment operation across open environments in Texas.

Candidates should have a high school diploma and at least 2 years of relevant experience, with basic computer skills and English proficiency. Competitive pay and a strong benefits program accompany this position.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum two years of relevant work experience.
• Ability to read and interpret maps, drawings, and schematics.
• Ability to operate a variety of tools and equipment and basic computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily inspections and basic maintenance on tanks, valves, vehicles, and equipment.
• Calibrate and maintain safety, spill response, and measurement equipment.
• Ensure daily security and SPCC/EPA inspections are performed.
• Monitor station activity reporting and documentation.
• Control product flows and respond to abnormal or emergency conditions.
• Conduct routine checks and troubleshoot pipeline and terminal equipment.

Skills

Teamwork

Safety awareness

English literacy

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Office

Word

Job description

Job Type

Regular

Plains is an industry-leading transportation and midstream provider specializing in transportation, storage, processing and marketing solutions for crude oil. We own an extensive network of pipeline transportation, terminalling, storage and gathering assets in key oil producing basins and transportation corridors and at major market hubs in the United States and Canada. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

We’re on the lookout for passionate self‑starters who thrive in fast‑moving, collaborative, and innovative environments.

The Terminal Operator role operates and maintains pipeline facilities and / or terminals including tanks, pipeline pumping stations, LACTs, and gathering facilities to ensure the accurate and safe transportation and storage of petroleum products. Terminal Operators work within terminal facilities while Pipeline Operators normally work at facilities up and down pipeline and gathering systems. They will assist with petroleum product movements in and out of pipeline terminals and/or pump stations and are responsible for the storage of products and custody transfers activities with connecting carriers and customers. They will accurately assess the quantity and quality of crude oil and/or refined products and perform general facility maintenance in accordance with company mandates.

This is a field-based role with frequent work in open environments with extremes of heat and cold, often in proximity to high voltage and/or chemicals, which requires safety accommodations such as protective clothing and equipment. This role is subject to callouts for work associated with Plains field operations and/or emergency response.

Job Responsibilities

• Performance of all Pipeline / Terminal Operator I responsibilities and work tasks with minimal supervision.
• Performs daily inspections and minor maintenance on tanks, valves, vehicles, and other equipment.
• Calibrates and performs minor maintenance on safety, spill response and measurement equipment.
• Ensures daily security and SPCC/EPA or similar regulatory inspections are performed.
• Monitors and maintains station activity reporting and related documentation to include a variety of reports and records covering readings, over/short documentation, and oil movement orders.
• Controls pipeline inlet and outlet product flows during normal operations and responds effectively to abnormal and emergency conditions.
• Completes pipeline and facility checks, reporting abnormal conditions and troubleshooting as necessary.
• Safely operates all facility rotating equipment and valves, LACT and metering systems, and hydrocarbon drain systems, reporting abnormal conditions and troubleshooting as necessary.
• Performs basic troubleshooting and repairs on pumps, motors, injectors, valves, meters and other associated pipeline and terminal equipment.
• Performs damage prevention activities (e.g., completes required documentation, completes 3rd party One Calls, conducts inspections and monitoring of 3rd party ground disturbance).
• Maintains the integrity of the pipeline, controlling the excavation and backfilling of curried pipelines, selecting the appropriate pig for the pipeline and the work required, selecting the appropriate pipe coating, and responding to abnormal conditions (e.g., stuck pig, hydrates).
• Creates and uses Energy Isolation Plans to prepare equipment and piping and ensures zero energy before releasing equipment to maintenance; accepts equipment and piping at maintenance completion.
• Completes daily over / short reporting on assigned areas and identifies problems or signs of issues in bulk fuel; assists in product loss/gain investigations as needed.
• Responsible for assisting in the training of new employees.
• Responsible for identifying and preventing potential conflicts or operational problems, including reviewing operations schedules such as shift schedules, product movements, vessel movement, etc. to prevent conflicts.
• Directs and / or supervises company hired contractors and assists in conducting contractor safety tail gate meetings.
• Provides an active role within the Incident Command System during response planning, exercises, or incident response.
• vConducts effective shift turnovers.
• Responds to abnormal and emergency events.
• Accountable to inform senior personnel of hazard identification and near misses.
• Demonstrates safe work practices following Plains’ safety policies and procedures.
• Assists with any other pipeline / terminal related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, And Experience Required

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum two (2) years of relevant work experience at the prior level.
• Ability to speak, read, and write English and the ability to perform basic math.
• Ability to read and interpret pipeline maps, technical drawings, and technical schematics.
• Ability to work in a team-based work environment, with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to use a variety of tools and equipment including compressors, pumps, mixers, hydrometers, centrifuges, sulfur machines, gauge lines, temperature and H2S monitors, line locators, SCBA, fire extinguishers and scrapers as required.
• Must be skilled in product measurement including gauging, metering, meter proving and meter proving as a witness and product sampling procedures; this includes knowledge of line, tank, and automatic sampling systems.
• Must have basic computer skills (e.g., Excel, Microsoft Office, Word, etc.) and be able to enter measurement and other operational data into computer-based systems.
• Ability to maintain qualifications to conduct wharf operations to include operation of marine and truck rack vapor control systems; must be able to meet the requirements necessary to obtain a Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC) card.
• Must be knowledgeable on facility work authorization permits, Emergency Response Plans, SPCC plans, operations manuals and other plans and regulatory requirements that pertain to pipeline / terminal operations.
• Must be familiar with PHMSA and OSHA regulations.
• Must have an outstanding safety record.
• Ability to successfully complete company Haz‑Mat training, required DOT operator qualifications to perform pipeline mechanical operations, and mandatory safety training.
• Ability to work in moderate to heavy physically demanding working conditions, including working outdoors in an open environment with extremes of heat and cold.

Qualifications

• Valid US drivers’ license with a clean abstract.
• Cleared criminal history (background) and satisfactory reference checks.
• Compliance with the Company’s drug and alcohol policy including pre‑employment screening.
• This position is not eligible for employment‑based visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. for the duration of their employment.

At Plains, our employees are our most valuable asset. Hard work is rewarded with competitive compensation and a top‑tier benefits program designed to keep our employees safe, healthy and happy. We work hard to deliver the best results to our stakeholders, and we also respect our employees' need for personal and family time, which is reflected in our benefits program.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to age, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Applicants with disabilities can request accessible formats, communication supports, or other accessibility assistance by contacting [e-mail].

Salary details estimated by job boards such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn do not represent Plains’ compensation structure. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.