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Refinery Operator Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

HF Sinclair

Rotating Reliability Engineer

El Dorado, KS · On-site

$86K - $108K/yr

... for operators * Must be able to work effectively with others at all levels and functional areas of the refinery. Special assignments or tasks assigned to the employee by their supervisor, as ...

HF Sinclair

Rotating Reliability Engineer

El Dorado, KS · On-site

$86K - $108K/yr

... for operators * Must be able to work effectively with others at all levels and functional areas of the refinery. Special assignments or tasks assigned to the employee by their supervisor, as ...

HollyFrontier

Rotating Reliability Engineer

El Dorado, KS · On-site

$86K - $108K/yr

... for operators * Must be able to work effectively with others at all levels and functional areas of the refinery. Special assignments or tasks assigned to the employee by their supervisor, as ...

HF Sinclair

Rotating Reliability Engineer

El Dorado, KS · On-site

$86K - $108K/yr

... for operators * Must be able to work effectively with others at all levels and functional areas of the refinery. Special assignments or tasks assigned to the employee by their supervisor, as ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsRefinery Operator JobsRefinery Operator Jobs in Kansas

Refinery Operator information

See Kansas salary details

$10

$19

$30

How much do refinery operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for refinery operator in Kansas is $19.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $21.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a refinery operator?

Refinery operators are skilled workers responsible for controlling and monitoring the equipment and processes used to convert raw materials, such as crude oil, into finished products like gasoline, diesel, and other petrochemicals. They ensure that operations run smoothly, safely, and efficiently by adjusting controls, interpreting gauges and meters, and performing routine maintenance. Refinery operators also troubleshoot equipment problems and respond to emergencies to minimize downtime and hazards. Their work is critical to maintaining product quality and meeting production targets in refineries.

What does a refinery operator do?

Refinery operators use specialized equipment and machines to transform raw materials into products, such as changing crude oil into gasoline. Most refinery operator jobs are in the oil industry, but other sectors, including the food industry and the metals industry, also utilize refinery operators. As a refinery operator, your primary responsibilities are operating equipment safely, monitoring meters and gauges, and meeting production goals for your area.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a refinery operator?

To thrive as a Refinery Operator, you need strong mechanical aptitude, process monitoring skills, and a high school diploma or technical certification in a related field. Familiarity with Distributed Control Systems (DCS), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and safety protocols is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are important soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operation of refining processes, minimizing downtime and hazards.

What are some common challenges faced by refinery operators during shift work, and how can they be managed?

Refinery operators often work in rotating shifts, which can present challenges such as fatigue, maintaining focus during night shifts, and adapting to changing sleep schedules. To manage these challenges, operators are encouraged to follow consistent sleep routines, stay hydrated, and communicate closely with team members to ensure safety and efficiency. Many refineries also provide training on fatigue management and support systems to help operators maintain high performance and safety standards during all shifts.

What is the difference between Refinery Operator vs Process Technician?

AspectRefinery OperatorProcess Technician
CertificationsTypically requires OSHA safety training, possibly a high school diploma or equivalentOften requires technical certifications or associate degree in process technology
Work EnvironmentWorks in refinery plants, operating machinery and monitoring equipmentWorks in processing units, troubleshooting, and maintaining equipment
Industry UsageCommonly employed in oil refineries and chemical plantsFound in refineries, chemical manufacturing, and processing facilities

Refinery Operators and Process Technicians both work in refinery environments, but Refinery Operators focus on operating and monitoring equipment, while Process Technicians handle troubleshooting and maintenance tasks. Both roles require safety training and are essential for efficient plant operations.

Is it hard to get a refinery operator job?

Getting a refinery operator job can be competitive due to the specialized skills and certifications required, such as process technology knowledge and safety training. Candidates often need relevant experience, technical skills, and sometimes a high school diploma or higher education in related fields. The job involves working in industrial environments with shift schedules and safety protocols.

What do you do as a refinery operator?

A refinery operator monitors and controls the equipment used to process crude oil into various petroleum products. They perform inspections, adjust machinery, and ensure safety protocols are followed, often working in shifts and using control panels and monitoring systems. Certification and knowledge of safety procedures are essential in this role.
More about Refinery Operator jobs

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

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

Refinery Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Refinery Operator job openings in Kansas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $41,217 per year, or $19.8 per hour.

SR Economics & Planning Engineer

Cvr Energy, Inc.

Coffeyville, KS

$90K - $124K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

CVR Energy rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

33rd of 87 rated oil and gas companies

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

This position is responsible for supporting the commercial and operational optimization of company assets, with a focus on planning and scheduling refinery operations, defining operational targets, and maximizing overall profitability. Key areas of responsibility can include feedstock evaluation and selection, inventory management, clean product blending, and product scheduling. The role also contributes to strategic planning, production budgeting, capital project evaluations, and commercial business development. This position has a direct and immediate impact on asset performance and value creation.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

  • Minimum Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field required. Engineering degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

  • 4 years of experience in refinery or process industry required. Optimization or commercial experience preferred
  • Leadership experience preferred
  • Demonstrated strong working knowledge of the fundamentals of refinery operations
  • Experience with refinery LP modeling software, scheduling software, crude assay management software preferred
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite preferred
  • Fluent in English, oral and written required
  • Strong written/verbal communication, interpersonal and administrative skills
  • Ability to adjust schedule to meet business demands

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES

  • Responsibilities will be assigned based on candidate's skill set and capabilities but can include any or all tasks core to the commercial optimization of our production facilities.
  • Optimize blending and product scheduling to meet quality specification, minimize giveaway, and maximize profitability across refinery operations
  • Coordinate cross-functional activities including shipping schedules, blending instructions, reporting, and operational communication to ensure seamless execution and alignment
  • Manage and forecast inventories of feedstocks, intermediates, and finished products to support production, marketing, and logistics decisions.
  • Determine optimum combination of feedstock, process unit utilization, operating conditions and product slate to maximize plant profitability
  • Mentor and develop optimization capabilities and skill sets within team and supporting organization
  • Develop short and long term operational plans for maximizing plant profitability
  • Collaborates with leadership in major projects, crude supply, clean products, operations, and finance to develop and evaluate opportunities
  • Provide feedback to operations so timely corrective actions can be taken to continuously move operations towards optimal for maximization of profits
  • Use crude assay management software and refinery LP model to evaluate crude oils and feedstocks for purchase or sale and ensure models are tuned to refinery yields for optimized planning and forecasting
  • Keep planning models, other software and spreadsheet tools up-to-date
  • Regularly communicate with supervisor work progress, issues or process improvements.
  • Exposure to work near potentially volatile and combustible materials and chemicals.
  • Exposure to work near potentially volatile and combustible materials and chemicals.

EXPECTED RESULTS

  • Efficient, effective and measurable workflow for the Department
  • Timely communication with appropriate staff for optimizing issues which could impact the day-to-day operations of the Refinery
  • Established and maintained effective working relationships with applicable department leadership and executives
  • Exceptional and ongoing customer satisfaction provided to all internal and external stakeholders
  • Adherence to all company policies and procedures.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States. The Company will not sponsor immigration or work visas.

CVR Energy is an EEO employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran, and disabled candidates to apply.

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