Process Operator Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Description
BASIC FUNCTION
The Process Specialist serves as the primary frontline technical resource for operations teams, acting as a bridge between Day Staff (Engineering, Reliability, HSE, Technical, etc.) and Shift personnel. This role provides real time troubleshooting support, ensures consistent communication across all shifts, and drives improvements in process stability, equipment performance, and operating discipline. The Process Specialist helps convert engineering and technical guidance into practical, field-ready actions to support safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Operational Troubleshooting & Support
• Provide immediate technical support to Shift Operators and Console Operators for process upsets, equipment issues, and abnormal operating conditions.
• Perform initial root-cause evaluation and escalate to appropriate engineering or technical teams as needed.
• Monitor key process variables and trends to identify early warning signs of instability.
• Support safe shutdowns, startups, and product grade changes with field oversight and technical guidance.
Communication & Coordination
• Act as the primary liaison between Day Staff and Shift teams to ensure clear, consistent, and timely information flow.
• Communicate daily priorities, technical updates, and engineering instructions to each shift.
• Gather feedback, operational learnings, and shift concerns to communicate back to Day Staff for long-term solutions.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings (operations, maintenance, engineering) representing frontline operational needs.
Field Presence & Operating Discipline
• Maintain a strong field presence to understand equipment performance, operator challenges, and real-time process behavior.
• Verify proper execution of procedures, permits, and operating discipline.
• Support new or revised procedures by reviewing for practicality and validating in the field.
• Assist in training and mentoring operators on process understanding, troubleshooting techniques, and safe operation.
Process & Performance Improvement
• Identify opportunities for reliability, quality, and production improvements based on frontline observations.
• Support Management of Change (MOC) activities, including field implementation and operator training.
• Assist engineers with data gathering, field testing, and trial execution.
• Contribute to incident investigations and corrective actions.
Documentation & Reporting
• Maintain accurate daily logs of process upsets, equipment issues, and operator feedback.
• Provide written updates to Day Staff summarizing shift trends and emerging issues.
• Support production loss reporting and downtime tracking with credible frontline information.
CORE VALUES
Must exhibit and demonstrate our 4 Core Values
• Caring: Dedicated to Safety, Employees, Customers, Community and Environment
• Trustworthy: Living a Culture of Openness, Honesty and Collaboration
• Connected: Build Strong Partnerships
Driven for Excellence: Commit to Continuous Improvement
COMPETENCIES
• Job Knowledge- Understands facets of job, aware of duties and responsibilities, keep job knowledge current
• Leadership - Provides strong leadership, sets a good example, skilled decision maker, motivator, encourager
• Quality- Strives to eliminate errors, accurate work is a priority, seeks opportunities to improve product/services
• Safety - HSSE - Works in a safe manner, uses PPE, recognizes hazards, makes safety suggestions and observations, current on Training Mine
QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
• High School Diploma or GED
• 3 certifications, 1 of which must be board certification (pay progressions- internal applicants only)
• Math skills
• Written and verbal skills
• Computer proficiency
• Excellent leadership and teamwork, strong communication skills and able to communicate with all levels in the plant
• Strong interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures and processes
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE
• Process Operating Technology Certificate or Degree
• Experience in managing the permitting process, including approval
• At least 5 years of experience as a process operator in a chemical manufacturing setting
PHYSICAL CAPACITY REQUIREMENTS
This position requires the incumbent to:
• Follow safety requirements for the role
• Lift and carry 60 pounds to shoulder and carry up to 300 feet
• Push and pull 55 pounds of force for 20 feet
• Grip using 100 pounds of pressure
• Climb 50 feet of ladder and stairs
• Walk ½ a mile per job
• Work in confined spaces and on elevated surfaces
• Stand for extended periods of time
• Kneel, crawl, squat, twist and turn
• Wear mandatory FRC and PPE (foot, head, ear, eye, and hand protection) when inside plant environment, or where directed by signage
• Wear respiratory PPE for extended periods of time
• Lift up to 50 pounds
• Walk safely in and around industrial areas
• Must respond to visual and audible alarms
• Work under deadline pressure within an environment that demands attention to safety and detail
• Sit or stand for extended periods of time
• Climbing stairs and vertical ladders, climbing and works at various heights
• Continual exposure to outdoor environment during all-weather conditions
• Must demonstrate fine and gross hand manipulation including pinching, gripping, turning, and keyboarding
• Works indoors and outdoors in and around industrial and electrical equipment
• Must be able to occasionally bend, stoop, move from ground level to higher levels, manually transport a load up to 50 lbs.
• Ascend and descend stairs and stationary vertical ladders as part of normal work activity and emergency situations