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Independent Contractor Refinery Turnaround Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ergon

Turnaround Planning Manager

Flowood, MS · On-site

Develop contractor execution strategies, staffing plans, and outage support requirements. * Lead ... Strong understanding of refinery maintenance, reliability, turnaround planning, and execution ...

Semiserve

Turnaround Manager

Bakersfield, CA

$200K - $250K/yr

... refining turnaround experience Salary range: $200,000-$250,000 + bonuses Apply now for immediate and confidential consideration! #INDW Education:High SchoolEmployment Type: CONTRACTOR

Terraboost

Independent Contractor - Barre, VT

Barre, VT · On-site

$130/hr

Quick pay turnaround * Help keep your local community looking sharp What You'll Need: * A car that fits two medium boxes (think trunk space) * Valid driver's license + clean driving record * Basic ...

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Independent Contractor Refinery Turnaround information

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$394

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$2.1K

How much do independent contractor refinery turnaround jobs pay per week?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average weekly pay for independent contractor refinery turnaround in the United States is $1,089.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $721.15 and $1,211.54 per week, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much does a refinery turnaround cost?

The cost of a refinery turnaround for an Independent Contractor Refinery Turnaround can range from several million to over a hundred million dollars, depending on the refinery size, complexity, scope of work, and duration. Turnarounds typically last several weeks to months and require detailed planning, safety protocols, and specialized skills. Accurate estimates depend on project specifics and contractor rates for labor, equipment, and materials.

What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

An Independent Contractor in refinery turnaround can earn around $4,000 per week, especially with specialized skills, experience, and the ability to work long or irregular hours. Such roles often require technical knowledge, safety certifications, and the ability to operate in high-pressure environments, but they typically do not require a formal college degree.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Independent Contractor in Refinery Turnarounds, and why are they important?

Success as an Independent Contractor in Refinery Turnarounds requires extensive knowledge of industrial processes, safety regulations, and hands-on experience with refinery equipment, often supported by relevant technical certifications (such as OSHA 30 or TWIC). Familiarity with project management software, safety compliance systems, and specialized maintenance tools is typically necessary. Strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and effective communication are vital soft skills for coordinating teams and responding to dynamic project demands. These competencies ensure safe, efficient, and timely completion of critical refinery projects while minimizing risks.

What are some common challenges faced by independent contractors during refinery turnarounds?

Independent contractors working on refinery turnarounds often face challenges such as tight deadlines, rapidly changing priorities, and the need to adapt to strict safety protocols. The work environment can be physically demanding, involving long shifts and exposure to hazardous materials. Effective communication and collaboration with multiple teams, including plant staff and other contractors, are essential to ensure projects are completed safely and efficiently. Flexibility and problem-solving skills are key to overcoming unexpected issues that can arise during the turnaround process.

How hard is it to get a job at a refinery?

Securing an independent contractor refinery turnaround job requires relevant experience, technical skills, and often certifications such as OSHA or confined space training. Competition can be high, and employers typically look for candidates with safety awareness and the ability to work in demanding environments, often on short-term or project-based schedules.

How to get into turnarounds?

To become an independent contractor in refinery turnarounds, gain relevant experience in industrial maintenance, process operations, or construction, and obtain certifications such as OSHA or confined space training. Developing skills in project management, safety protocols, and working in high-pressure environments can improve your chances of entering this specialized field.

What are Independent Contractor Refinery Turnarounds?

Independent Contractor Refinery Turnarounds refer to specialized professionals or teams hired on a contract basis to manage, oversee, or execute refinery turnaround projects. A refinery turnaround is a scheduled event where a refinery or a section of it is shut down for maintenance, inspections, upgrades, and repairs to ensure safe and efficient operations. Independent contractors are often brought in for their expertise and flexibility, allowing refineries to scale their workforce for these intensive, time-sensitive projects. Their work is critical to minimizing downtime and ensuring that all regulatory and safety standards are met during the turnaround process.

What is the difference between Independent Contractor Refinery Turnaround vs Refinery Maintenance Technician?

AspectIndependent Contractor Refinery TurnaroundRefinery Maintenance Technician
CredentialsRelevant certifications, safety training, possibly specialized trade licensesTrade certifications, safety training, technical licenses
Work EnvironmentIntensive, project-based, often seasonal work during shutdownsOngoing, daily maintenance tasks in refinery facilities
Employer UsageHired on a contractual basis for specific turnaround projectsEmployed directly or through contractors for routine maintenance

While both roles require safety training and technical skills, Independent Contractor Refinery Turnarounds focus on short-term, project-specific work during refinery shutdowns, whereas Refinery Maintenance Technicians perform ongoing maintenance tasks to ensure continuous refinery operations.

More about Independent Contractor Refinery Turnaround jobs
What cities are hiring for Independent Contractor Refinery Turnaround jobs? Cities with the most Independent Contractor Refinery Turnaround job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Refinery Turnaround jobs? The most popular types of Refinery Turnaround jobs are:
What states have the most Independent Contractor Refinery Turnaround jobs? States with the most job openings for Independent Contractor Refinery Turnaround jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Independent Contractor Refinery Turnaround jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Independent Contractor Refinery Turnaround jobs are:
Independent Contractor Refinery Turnaround jobs near you
Infographic showing various Independent Contractor Refinery Turnaround job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 74% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 18% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,645 per year, or $27.2 per hour.

Turnaround Planning Manager

Ergon, Inc - Refining & Marketing

Flowood, MS • On-site

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Position Summary
Ergon Specialty Solutions (ESS) is seeking a Turnaround Planning Manager to provide strategic leadership for turnaround planning, scheduling, and execution readiness across our refinery operations. This position plays a critical role in ensuring turnarounds are planned and executed safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively while minimizing operational risk and maximizing asset reliability.
The Turnaround Planning Manager partners with Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, Engineering, Supply Chain, and contractor organizations to develop comprehensive turnaround scopes, budgets, schedules, and resource plans. In addition to leading major turnaround events, this position drives continuous improvement in work management processes, planning standards, and execution strategies while developing a high-performing team of planners, schedulers, and maintenance analysts.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead turnaround planning, scheduling, and execution readiness activities across ESS refinery assets.
  • Manage, mentor, and develop a team of turnaround planners, schedulers, and maintenance analysts.
  • Develop comprehensive turnaround scopes, budgets, schedules, resource plans, and cost forecasts for major outages.
  • Facilitate turnaround milestone reviews, readiness assessments, and executive progress reporting.
  • Identify schedule risks, resource constraints, and critical path activities while developing mitigation strategies to ensure successful execution.
  • Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to align turnaround objectives and execution plans.
  • Develop contractor execution strategies, staffing plans, and outage support requirements.
  • Lead implementation of turnaround planning best practices, standard work processes, and continuous improvement initiatives across ESS operations.
  • Improve maintenance planning effectiveness through enhancements to work management processes, backlog management, schedule compliance, and planning quality.
  • Develop, monitor, and communicate turnaround performance metrics and key performance indicators.
  • Lead post-turnaround reviews, capture lessons learned, and implement improvements into future turnaround events.
  • Promote a culture of safety, reliability, accountability, teamwork, and operational excellence while supporting Ergon's values of Respectful Relationships, Empowered Service, Purposeful Growth, and Selfless Leadership.
Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, Construction Management, Business, or a related technical discipline is preferred.
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in refining, petrochemical, chemical manufacturing, or heavy industrial maintenance environments.
  • Minimum of 5 years of turnaround planning, maintenance planning, turnaround management, or outage management experience.
  • Previous supervisory or team leadership experience.
  • Strong understanding of refinery maintenance, reliability, turnaround planning, and execution processes.
  • Excellent leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced industrial environment.
  • Commitment to safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience managing refinery turnaround programs and large capital or maintenance outage events.
  • Proficiency with CMMS platforms such as SAP, Maximo, or equivalent maintenance management systems.
  • Experience using Primavera P6 or other advanced scheduling software.
  • Knowledge of critical path scheduling, resource leveling, risk management, and work management best practices.
  • Experience developing turnaround KPIs, benchmarking performance, and implementing planning process improvements.
  • Demonstrated success leading organizational change, developing planning organizations, and mentoring technical professionals.
  • Proven ability to build collaborative relationships with operations, maintenance, engineering, contractors, and executive leadership while delivering exceptional customer service.

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