ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Refinery Operator Trainee Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

All JobsRefinery Operator JobsRefinery Operator Trainee JobsRefinery Operator Trainee Jobs in Indiana

Refinery Operator Trainee information

See Indiana salary details

$9

$19

$33

How much do refinery operator trainee jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for refinery operator trainee in Indiana is $19.61, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.20 and $21.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a refinery operator trainee do?

A Refinery Operator Trainee learns how to monitor and control the equipment and processes involved in turning crude oil into usable products such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. They receive on-the-job training to understand safety protocols, read gauges, adjust controls, and troubleshoot issues within the refinery. Trainees often work under the supervision of experienced operators and gradually take on more responsibilities as they gain experience and knowledge. This role is essential for maintaining efficient and safe refinery operations.

What are some typical challenges a refinery operator trainee may face during their initial training period?

As a Refinery Operator Trainee, you may encounter challenges such as mastering complex control systems, understanding detailed safety protocols, and adapting to shift work, which often includes nights and weekends. The learning curve can be steep due to the technical nature of the processes and the need to respond quickly and accurately to potential operational issues. However, most facilities provide structured training programs and mentorship to help trainees build confidence and competence in both routine operations and emergency responses.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a refinery operator trainee, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Refinery Operator Trainee, you need a basic understanding of industrial safety, mechanical aptitude, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with process control systems, instrumentation, and safety certifications like OSHA are commonly required. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are critical for ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable refinery operations in a hazardous environment.

What is the difference between Refinery Operator Trainee vs Refinery Operator?

AspectRefinery Operator TraineeRefinery Operator
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; basic safety and technical trainingAdditional experience and certifications; advanced technical skills
Work EnvironmentTraining environment, supervised, learning-focusedOperational, hands-on, responsible for daily plant operations
Job ResponsibilitiesLearning safety procedures, basic equipment operationMonitoring processes, adjusting equipment, ensuring safety and efficiency

The main difference is that a Refinery Operator Trainee is in a learning phase, focusing on gaining skills and certifications, while a Refinery Operator is fully responsible for plant operations. Trainees are supervised and gaining experience, whereas operators perform routine and complex tasks independently.

What are popular job titles related to Refinery Operator Trainee jobs in Indiana?

For Refinery Operator Trainee jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Refinery Operator Trainee jobs in Indiana look for?

The top searched job categories for Refinery Operator Trainee jobs in Indiana are:

Refinery Operator Trainee jobs near you
Infographic showing various Refinery Operator Trainee job openings in Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Part Time. Highlights an 94% In-person, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,789 per year, or $19.6 per hour.

Operator, Pipeline Trainee (Oakland City)

Enterprise Products Partners L.P.

Oakland City, IN • On-site

Full-time

Posted yesterday

New

Enterprise Products rating

9.2

Company rating: 9.2 out of 10

Based on 40 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

1st of 53 rated energy and utility

Job description

Enterprise Products Partners L.P. is one of the largest publicly traded partnerships and a leading North American provider of midstream energy services to producers and consumers of natural gas, NGLs, crude oil, refined products and petrochemicals. Our services include: natural gas gathering, treating, processing, transportation and storage; NGL transportation, fractionation, storage and import and export terminals; crude oil gathering, transportation, storage and terminals; petrochemical and refined products transportation, storage and terminals; and a marine transportation business that operates primarily on the United States inland and Intracoastal Waterway systems. The partnership's assets include approximately 50,000 miles of pipelines; 260 million barrels of storage capacity for NGLs, crude oil, refined products and petrochemicals; and 14 billion cubic feet of natural gas storage capacity.

The Pipeline Trainee Operator is an opportunity for an individual to obtain the training and experience necessary to become a qualified Pipeline Operator. This position will provide a readily available and qualified individual to accommodate future manpower needs throughout the system. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Work side by side with a mentor to undergo training for a period of time, for a future Pipeline Operator position.
  • Participate in a variety of training courses including computer-based and instructor led training.
  • Participate and successfully complete all assigned training programs.

  • Manifold line up, development of paperwork and log/record information related to inventories and quality control.

  • Taking composite samples of flammable gas/liquid corrosive chemicals for analysis.
  • Performs terminal and station operations by coordinating with Pipeline Control and other affiliates to ensure timely, safe and quality controlled handling of petroleum products.
  • Operation of an NGL storage facility and product handling terminal:  salt cavern NGL product storage, mole sieve NGL dehydration, NGL DOT pipeline operation monitoring. Work within the guidelines and parameters as established by Company Safety Polices, operating procedures, and regulatory requirements
  • Must be knowledgeable of environmental regulations and company policy concerning handling and disposal of hazardous substances.
  • Participates in available cross training to effectively develop skills in areas specific to other operators and technicians.
  • Performs mechanical functions that will include inspecting, checking, troubleshooting, and repairing equipment in order to maintain high levels of safe and productive equipment performance.
  • Operation of process related equipment, preventative maintenance of equipment and product quality sampling.
  • Following all safety procedures, facility process and instrument diagrams, regulatory requirements, handling of hazardous and highly volatile materials, equipment repair/maintenance, NGL measurement, and various other systems that are related to the NGL/natural gas pipeline industry.
  • Troubleshoot plant equipment failures and act accordingly.
  • Develop and complete reports related to the operation of the facility.


 

The successful candidate will meet the following qualifications: 

  • High school diploma or G.E.D. is required.
  • Associates degree or 2 year technical certification is preferred.
  • Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record is required.
  • Ability to work a rotating shift schedule including weekends, nights, and holidays, as well as unscheduled overtime.
  • Previous experience in natural gas/gas liquids, gas processing, petrochemical, refining or pipeline operations.
  • Must be able to perform basic mathematical calculations.
  • Able to assume responsibility, perform duties and handle multiple tasks under potentially stressful and/or hazardous conditions.
  • Must live or relocate to within 1 hour response time of job assignment.
  • Basic computer skills including spreadsheet and word processing applications.
  • Good organizational skills & strong verbal and written communication skills. 
  • Works indoors and outdoors in and around industrial and electrical equipment. 
  • Works in temperature extremes due to weather conditions and operating equipment. 
  • Uses physical force to lift, push, pull and hold equipment and tools. 
  • Climbs and works at various heights and may work in a standing, sitting, lying down, crouched or kneeling position. 
  • Routinely reacts to visual, aural and other signals, including alarms and instructions, and is required to visually inspect work.
  • May work in confined spaces (i.e. tanks, between compressors, vessels).
  • Must be able to regularly bend, stoop, move from ground level to higher levels, raise/lift from ground level and lift up to 50 lbs., manually transport a load up to 75 lbs. and apply up to 100 foot pounds of torque. 
  • Must have ability to get in and out of vehicles regularly. 
  • Must wear special safety equipment while working and must be able to lift and put on emergency breathing apparatus and/or protective equipment.
  • Possess a strong commitment to personal and job safety.
  • Must demonstrate mechanical aptitude and dexterity in the use of tools and equipment.
  • Self-motivated individual able to work independently or in a team environment and willing to learn. 
  • Must be able to demonstrate sound judgment with the ability to make decisions and corrections when problems are detected. 
  • Must have a history of being dependable and reliable, take pride in a job well done, and enjoy working hard. 

What Enterprise Products employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply