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Refinery Terminal Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Safety-Kleen

Operator Terminal

Dolton, IL · On-site

$22/hr

Safety-Kleen in Dolton, IL is looking for a Terminal Operator to join their team. This role will be ... We collect over 200 million gallons of used motor oil each year and we have the largest re-refinery ...

Clean Harbors

Operator Terminal

Mahopac, NY · On-site

$14.90 - $34.62/hr

Murphy's Waste Oil Service in Mahopac, NY is looking for a Terminal Operator to join their team ... We collect over 200 million gallons of used motor oil each year and we have the largest re-refinery ...

CleanHarbors

Operator Terminal

Catoosa, OK · On-site

$20/hr

Safety-Kleen Catoosa, OK is looking for a Terminal Operator to join their team. This role will be ... We collect over 200 million gallons of used motor oil each year and we have the largest re-refinery ...

Clean Harbors

Operator Terminal

Catoosa, OK · On-site

$14.90 - $34.62/hr

Safety-Kleen Catoosa, OK is looking for a Terminal Operator to join their team. This role will be ... We collect over 200 million gallons of used motor oil each year and we have the largest re-refinery ...

CleanHarbors

Operator Terminal

Lincoln, RI · On-site

$22 - $26/hr

Western Oil Lincoln, RI is looking for a Terminal Operator to join their team. This role will be ... We collect over 200 million gallons of used motor oil each year and we have the largest re-refinery ...

Clean Harbors

Operator Terminal

Catoosa, OK · On-site

$20/hr

Safety-Kleen Catoosa, OK is looking for a Terminal Operator to join their team. This role will be ... We collect over 200 million gallons of used motor oil each year and we have the largest re-refinery ...

CleanHarbors

Operator Terminal

Dolton, IL · On-site

$22/hr

Safety-Kleen in Dolton, IL is looking for a Terminal Operator to join their team. This role will be ... We collect over 200 million gallons of used motor oil each year and we have the largest re-refinery ...

Clean Harbors

Operator Terminal

Dolton, IL · On-site

$15.65 - $36.35/hr

Safety-Kleen in Dolton, IL is looking for a Terminal Operator to join their team. This role will be ... We collect over 200 million gallons of used motor oil each year and we have the largest re-refinery ...

Clean Harbors

Operator Terminal

Lincoln, RI · On-site

$22 - $26/hr

Western Oil Lincoln, RI is looking for a Terminal Operator to join their team. This role will be ... We collect over 200 million gallons of used motor oil each year and we have the largest re-refinery ...

Clean Harbors

Operator Terminal

Catoosa, OK

$20/hr

Safety-Kleen Catoosa, OK is looking for a Terminal Operator to join their team. This role will be ... We collect over 200 million gallons of used motor oil each year and we have the largest re-refinery ...

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Refinery Terminal Operator information

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$13

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$28

How much do refinery terminal operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for refinery terminal operator in the United States is $21.84, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.51 and $25.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a refinery terminal operator?

Refinery Terminal Operators are professionals responsible for overseeing the safe and efficient operation of equipment and systems at oil refineries and fuel storage terminals. Their duties typically include monitoring gauges, managing the flow of products like crude oil, gasoline, or chemicals, and performing routine maintenance checks. They ensure that all processes adhere to safety and environmental regulations, respond to alarms or emergencies, and coordinate with other staff to maintain smooth operations. These operators play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and timely distribution of petroleum products.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a refinery terminal operator?

To thrive as a Refinery Terminal Operator, you need a solid understanding of refinery operations, safety protocols, and mechanical systems, often backed by a high school diploma or relevant technical certifications. Familiarity with control systems, SCADA software, and equipment monitoring tools is typically required. Strong attention to detail, communication skills, and the ability to work well under pressure are vital soft skills in this role. These competencies are essential for ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant handling of refinery processes and terminal operations.

What are common challenges faced by refinery terminal operators, and how can they be addressed?

Refinery Terminal Operators often encounter challenges such as managing complex machinery, maintaining strict safety protocols, and responding to emergency situations. These professionals must stay alert and adapt to changing operational conditions, including fluctuating product demands and weather impacts. Regular training, strong communication with team members, and adherence to standard operating procedures help address these challenges and ensure smooth terminal operations. Building hands-on experience and learning from seasoned colleagues also contribute to long-term success in the role.

What is the difference between Refinery Terminal Operator vs Oil and Gas Plant Operator?

AspectRefinery Terminal OperatorOil and Gas Plant Operator
CredentialsHigh school diploma, safety certifications, technical trainingHigh school diploma, safety certifications, technical training
Work EnvironmentRefinery terminals, storage facilities, loading/unloading areasOil and gas production sites, processing plants, pipelines
Industry UsageRefining industry, petroleum storage and distributionOil and gas extraction and processing

Both roles require safety certifications and technical skills, often working in industrial environments related to petroleum. Refinery Terminal Operators focus on managing storage and transfer of refined products at terminals, while Oil and Gas Plant Operators oversee extraction and processing at production sites. They share similar credentials and safety protocols, but differ mainly in work setting and specific responsibilities.

How do you become a refinery terminal operator?

To become a refinery terminal operator, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with relevant experience or training in industrial operations. Many employers require knowledge of safety procedures, equipment operation, and sometimes certifications such as OSHA or hazardous materials handling. On-the-job training is common, and strong attention to detail and physical stamina are important for success in this role.

What are popular job titles related to Refinery Terminal Operator jobs?

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

Infographic showing various Refinery Terminal Operator job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 47% Full Time, 51% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,418 per year, or $21.8 per hour.

Terminal Operator I

Corpus Christi, TX • On-site

Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.
1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.external

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Operates and maintains pipeline facilities and terminals, including tanks, pumps, LACTs, and gathering equipment.

  • Performs inspections, monitoring, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance of equipment and facilities to ensure safe and efficient operation.

  • Conducts product movements, measurement activities, and documentation related to oil and refined product transfers.

Plains All American Pipeline rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Job Type:
Regular
Plains is an industry-leading transportation and midstream provider specializing in transportation, storage, processing and marketing solutions for crude oil. We own an extensive network of pipeline transportation, terminalling, storage and gathering assets in key oil producing basins and transportation corridors and at major market hubs in the United States and Canada. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
We're on the lookout for passionate self-starters who thrive in fast-moving, collaborative, and innovative environments.
The Pipeline / Terminal Operator I role operates and maintains pipeline facilities and / or terminals including tanks, pipeline pumping stations, LACTs, and gathering facilities to ensure the accurate and safe transportation and storage of petroleum products. Terminal Operators work within terminal facilities while Pipeline Operators normally work at facilities up and down pipeline and gathering systems. They will assist with petroleum product movements in and out of pipeline terminals and/or pump stations and are responsible for the storage of products and custody transfers activities with connecting carriers and customers. They will accurately assess the quantity and quality of crude oil and/or refined products and perform general facility maintenance in accordance with company mandates.
This is a field-based role with frequent work in open environments with extremes of heat and cold, often in proximity to high voltage and/or chemicals, which requires safety accommodations such as protective clothing and equipment. This role is subject to callouts for work associated with Plains field operations and/or emergency response.
Job Responsibilities:
  • Performs maintenance, upkeep and cleaning of station, pipeline and terminal facilities including include but not limited to painting, weed control, and general housekeeping as required to tanks, valves, engines, motors, mixers, piping, control panels, fencing, office, shop, and storage buildings associated with pipeline, trucking, barge and ship terminals, and related facilities.
  • Monitors and maintains station activity reporting and related documentation to include a variety of reports and records covering readings, over/short documentation, and oil movement orders.
  • Completes pipeline and facility checks, reporting abnormal conditions and troubleshooting as necessary.
  • Safely operates all facility rotating equipment and valves, LACT and metering systems, and hydrocarbon drain systems, reporting abnormal conditions and troubleshooting as necessary.
  • Operates electrical heart tracking systems, flare systems, instrument air systems, truck loading and unloading systems, and related equipment.
  • Inspects and maintains pipeline security in the field, and monitors Rights of Way (ROW) for activity (e.g., digging, plowing, etc.) on or near the ROW.
  • Performs damage prevention activities, reports unauthorized activity or contact with the pipe, and verifies the status of work for expired agreements.
  • Inspects perimeter fencing, locks, etc. to maintain proper facility security.
  • Inspects and gauges tanks and inspects pumps for proper operation.
  • Performs tank inspections, checks H2S monitors, tank roof drains, oil levels in mixers, compressors, pumps, booster, motors, valves and piping.
  • Inspects and ensures that routine maintenance is performed on mixers, motors, gearboxes, valves, clock charts, emergency generators, and maintains associated records such as temperature average readings as required.
  • Performs product movements to include receipts and deliveries from pipelines, rail cars, vessels, tank trucks and perform tank-to- tank transfers on an as needed basis.
  • Conducts measurement activities (e.g., enters estimated fuel, flare and vent volumes into an FFV log, enters reference temperature and density into electronic flow devices, performs BSW tests, reviews daily and monthly balances, and verifies tickets, tank inventories, and metered volumes).
  • Conducts pigging activities (e.g., prepares pipeline for pigging activity, sends pipeline pig, receives pipeline pig, puts pipeline back into service).
  • Maintains communications with Pipeline Control Center and performs start-up and shutdown of pipelines.
  • Detects and responds to leaks, ensuring timely notifications and proper documentation, and assists in leak repairs.
  • Manages and maintains balancing systems, conducting daily and monthly balancing.
  • Conducts measurement activities, including completing logs, gauging tanks, performing BSW tests, and verifying tickets, tank inventories, and metered volumes.
  • Supports Product Quality Management through conducting field tests, maintaining lab equipment, maintaining sample records, and performing product testing and analysis. Performs quality and quantity testing, checks sulfur content, calibrates basic sediment and water (BS&W) meters, and witnesses meter proving where requested.
  • Documents meter readings and completes daily inventory reports.
  • Originates and enters custody transfer tickets into the appropriate accounting system.
  • Runs various reports weekly / monthly as needed.
  • Maintains monthly fire extinguisher, scraper, filter, and tank inspection logs to document completed work.
  • Conducts effective shift turnovers.
  • Responds to abnormal and emergency events.
  • Demonstrates safe work practices following Plains' safety policies and procedures.
  • Accountable to inform senior personnel of hazard identification and near misses.
  • Assists with any other pipeline / terminal related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Required:
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Relevant work experience preferred.
  • Ability to speak, read, and write English and the ability to perform basic math.
  • Ability to read and interpret pipeline maps, technical drawings, and technical schematics.
  • Ability to work in a team-based work environment, with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Should be able to use a variety of tools and equipment including compressors, pumps, mixers, hydrometers, centrifuges, sulfur machines, gauge lines, temperature and H2S monitors, line locators, SCBA, fire extinguishers and scrapers as required.
  • Must have basic knowledge of product measurement including gauging, metering, meter proving and meter proving as a witness and product sampling procedures; this includes knowledge of line, tank, and automatic sampling systems.
  • Must have Basic knowledge of petroleum product characteristics including gravity, viscosity, flash, basic sediment and water, and be able to perform qualitative analysis of fuels such as gravity, temperature, BS&W, flash, and RVP.
  • Must have basic computer skills (e.g., Excel, Microsoft Office, Word, etc.) and be able to enter measurement and other operational data into computer-based systems.
  • Ability to maintain qualifications to conduct wharf operations to include operation of marine and truck rack vapor control systems; must be able to meet the requirements necessary to obtain a Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC) card.
  • Must be knowledgeable on facility work authorization permits, Emergency Response Plans, SPCC plans, operations manuals and other plans and regulatory requirements that pertain to pipeline / terminal operations.
  • Must be familiar with PHMSA and OSHA regulations.
  • Must have an outstanding safety record.
  • Ability to successfully complete company Haz-Mat training, required DOT operator qualifications to perform pipeline mechanical operations, and mandatory safety training.
  • Ability to work in moderate to heavy physically demanding working conditions, including working outdoors in an open environment with extremes of heat and cold.

Qualifications:
  • Valid US drivers' license with a clean abstract.
  • Cleared criminal history (background) and satisfactory reference checks.
  • Compliance with the Company's drug and alcohol policy including pre-employment screening.

At Plains, our employees are our most valuable asset. Hard work is rewarded with competitive compensation and a top-tier benefits program designed to keep our employees safe, healthy and happy. We work hard to deliver the best results to our stakeholders, and we also respect our employees' need for personal and family time, which is reflected in our benefits program.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to age, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Applicants with disabilities can request accessible formats, communication supports, or other accessibility assistance by contacting WebCareers@Plains.com.
Salary details estimated by job boards such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn do not represent Plains' compensation structure. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
By submitting your resume, you consent to the collection, use and necessary disclosure of the personal information provided during the application and selection process. Learn more.

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