Gas Plant Operators Occupation Details

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Gas Plant Operators

The main tasks and work activities of Gas Plant Operators are to monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning, inspect production equipment, operate natural gas distribution equipment, operate natural gas generation equipment. In general, for the Gas Plant Operators, operation Monitoring, monitoring, operation and Control, critical Thinking and other 12 skills are required.

Gas Plant Operators Job Description
Education	Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related Experience	Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Example	These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.

The following chart shows the education/training levels for Gas Plant Operators jobs. 43.37% of Gas Plant Operators have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 39.13% of Gas Plant Operators have Post-Secondary Certificate.

Less than a High School Diploma

5.16%

High School Diploma (or the equivalent)

43.37%

Post-Secondary Certificate

39.13%

Some College Courses

10.50%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

0.00%

Bachelor's Degree and Above

1.84%

Tasks and Work Activities of Gas Plant Operators

Monitor transportation and storage of flammable and other potentially dangerous products to ensure that safety guidelines are followed.
Monitor equipment functioning, observe temperature, level, and flow gauges, and perform regular unit checks to ensure that all equipment is operating as it should.
Control operation of compressors, scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration equipment to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas.
Start and shut down plant equipment.
Record, review, and compile operations records, test results, and gauge readings such as temperatures, pressures, concentrations, and flows.
Adjust temperature, pressure, vacuum, level, flow rate, or transfer of gas to maintain processes at required levels or to correct problems.
Clean, maintain, and repair equipment, using hand tools, or request that repair and maintenance work be performed.
Collaborate with other operators to solve unit problems.
Determine causes of abnormal pressure variances, and make corrective recommendations, such as installation of pipes to relieve overloading.
Read logsheets to determine product demand and disposition, or to detect malfunctions.
Test gas, chemicals, and air during processing to assess factors such as purity and moisture content, and to detect quality problems or gas or chemical leaks.
Contact maintenance crews when necessary.
Change charts in recording meters.
Distribute or process gas for utility companies or industrial plants, using panel boards, control boards, and semi-automatic equipment.
Control equipment to regulate flow and pressure of gas to feedlines of boilers, furnaces, and related steam-generating or heating equipment.
Control fractioning columns, compressors, purifying towers, heat exchangers, and related equipment to extract nitrogen and oxygen from air.
Calculate gas ratios to detect deviations from specifications, using testing apparatus.
Signal or direct workers who tend auxiliary equipment.
Operate construction equipment to install and maintain gas distribution systems.

Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Inspect production equipment.
Operate natural gas distribution equipment.
Operate natural gas generation equipment.
Record operational or production data.
Adjust equipment controls to regulate gas flow.
Repair production equipment or tools.
Maintain production or processing equipment.
Clean production equipment.
Confer with others to resolve production problems or equipment malfunctions.
Advise others on ways to improve processes or products.
Diagnose equipment malfunctions.
Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
Test chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products.
Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
Analyze test results.
Signal others to coordinate work activities.
Direct operational or production activities.

Skills and Abilities for Gas Plant Operators

Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
RepairingRepairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Equipment MaintenancePerforming routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Auditory AttentionThe ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Hearing SensitivityThe ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Response OrientationThe ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Multilimb CoordinationThe ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

Gas compressorse.g. Acid gas compressors
Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable hand wrenches
Wet scrubberse.g. Amine treating plant
Centrifugal pumpse.g. Centrifugal pumps
Hoistse.g. Chain hoists
Water purification equipmente.g. Condensate stabilizer equipment
Power drillse.g. Cordless power drills
Cryogenic or liquid nitrogen freezerse.g. Cryogenic plant
Caliperse.g. Digital calipers
Micrometerse.g. Digital micrometers
Multimeterse.g. Digital multimeters
Electric boilerse.g. Electric boilers
Laboratory separatorse.g. Fluid separation equipment
Forkliftse.g. Forklift trucks
Gas chromatographse.g. Gas chromatographs GC
Compressor control panelse.g. Gas compressor systems
Control valvese.g. Gas distribution control valves
Flowmeterse.g. Gas measurement equipment
Fuel pumpse.g. Gas pumps
Gas or vapour concentration measuring instrumentse.g. Gas sampling equipment

MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Gas Plant Operators Occupation Detailed Description

Tasks and Work Activities of Gas Plant Operators

Skills and Abilities for Gas Plant Operators