Pipeline Operations Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

BASIC PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Pipeline Operator is responsible for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible operation, monitoring, inspection, maintenance support, and transportation of crude oil through the Company's pipeline systems and associated facilities. This position performs daily field operations to ensure the reliable movement of crude oil while maintaining compliance with Company policies and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

Working from the Santa Maria Battles Station, the Pipeline Operator performs pipeline patrols, facility inspections, leak detection activities, product transfers, custody transfer measurements, product sampling, tank switching, pipeline startups and shutdowns, and emergency response activities. The role supports pipeline assets throughout Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Kern Counties and requires travel between Company facilities.

The successful candidate demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance while working independently and collaboratively with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Control Room personnel.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Safely operate crude oil gathering, transmission, and transportation pipeline systems.
• Monitor and control pipeline operations to ensure safe and reliable product movement.
• Perform daily inspections of pipelines, pump stations, storage tanks, valve sites, manifolds, and associated facilities
• Conduct routine pipeline patrols and right-of-way inspections in accordance with DOT/PHMSA regulations and Company procedures
• Perform leak detection surveys, encroachment inspections, and population density surveys.
• Monitor pipeline pressures, flow rates, temperatures, and operating conditions
• Perform pipeline startups, shutdowns, product transfers, tank switches, and line changes.
• Conduct tank gauging, custody transfer measurements, inventory reconciliation, and crude oil product sampling
• Performs pigging operations, hydrotesting, integrity digs, and pipeline maintenance activities
• Isolate and prepare equipment for maintenance using established lockout/tagout procedures
• Inspect and operate pumps, valves, meters, LACT units, and pipeline control equipment
• Identify abnormal operating conditions and initiate appropriate corrective actions
• Respond to pipeline alarms, operational upsets, equipment failures, spills, and emergency situations
• Assist with spill response and emergency response activities
• Ensure contractors comply with Company safety and environmental requirements
• Maintain accurate operational logs, inspection reports, maintenance records, and regulatory documentation
• Support compliance with DOT, PHMSA, CPUC, OSHA, EPA, and Company operating procedures
• Participate in safety meetings, emergency drills, operator qualification programs, and required training
• The Operator position is based at the Company's Santa Maria office location
• Monday-through-Friday position, with occasional on-call responsibilities requiring night and weekend work
• Perform other duties as assigned

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate degree in a technical discipline preferred
• Utility or industry experience preferred, with a background in pipeline construction, excavation, and pipeline maintenance
• Prior experience in pipeline or oil and gas operations preferred
• Must possess a valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record
• Proven track record of safe work practices
• Basic computer skills, including MS Office and other company software
• Basic math skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, and decimals)
• Experience reading and interpreting blueprints, P&IDs, and other technical diagrams
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work well within a team, take direction from supervisors, adhere to work schedules, and follow policies and procedures
• Ability to speak and understand English fluently
• Detail-oriented with the ability to follow work rules and maintain accurate documentation

PAY INFORMATION: Hourly Rate: $46 - $58

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The position requires manual dexterity to handle documents and operate office equipment such as fax machines, copiers, printers, shredders, and computers. Also required is performing repetitive motions and extended periods of sitting, standing, and walking for varying lengths of time. The position requires interacting and communicating professionally with others via speaking, hearing and writing, learning new tasks, processes and concepts, thinking to solve problems, concentrating on required tasks, distinguishing color and depth perception and reading data, figures, electronic and hard copy documents.

The position requires frequent stooping, bending, squatting, crawling, crouching, pushing, reaching, pulling, lifting, grasping, fingering, reaching over the shoulders and below the waist, carrying of up to 75 lbs. while walking, lifting up to 95 lbs. to waist level and lifting up to 65 lbs. over shoulder level, the continuous use of both hands, arms, and feet and the manual dexterity to operate heavy and light tools, equipment, and materials.

The position requires walking or traversing over and across uneven terrain, accessing areas outdoors and on or around equipment, over or around obstacles or structures such as pipes, low rails, and walls, stooping or bending to reach certain locations, climbing stairs or ladders, and exposure to outside weather conditions.

The position requires wearing personal protection equipment such as gloves, gas mask, suits, etc. with an average weight of 10-25 pounds.

DISCLAIMER:

The position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. The essential duties, responsibilities, and physical requirements above describe those functions that are essential to the performance of this job. The above description does not include all of the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by management.

An Equal Opportunity Employer: race, gender, disability, and Veteran status.