Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators - 53-7071.00

Operate steam, gas, electric motor, or internal combustion engine driven compressors. Transmit, compress, or recover gases, such as butane, nitrogen, hydrogen, and natural gas.

Sample of reported job titles: Compressor Operator, Compressor Station Operator, Compressor Technician, Fill Plant Operator, Filler, Gas Plant Operator, Liquefied Natural Gas Plant Operator (LNG Plant Operator), Pipeline Technician, Plant Operator, Terminal Operator

Tasks

• Monitor meters and pressure gauges to determine consumption rate variations, temperatures, and pressures.
• Respond to problems by adjusting control room equipment or instructing other personnel to adjust equipment at problem locations or in other control areas.
• Record instrument readings and operational changes in operating logs.
• Adjust valves and equipment to obtain specified performance.
• Move controls and turn valves to start compressor engines, pumps, and auxiliary equipment.
• Operate power-driven pumps that transfer liquids, semi-liquids, gases, or powdered materials.
• Submit daily reports on facility operations.
• Take samples of gases and conduct chemical tests to determine gas quality and sulfur or moisture content, or send samples to laboratories for analysis.
• Read gas meters, and maintain records of the amounts of gas received and dispensed from holders.
• Turn knobs or switches to regulate pressures.
• Clean, lubricate, and adjust equipment, and replace filters and gaskets, using hand tools.
• Maintain each station by performing general housekeeping duties such as painting, washing, and cleaning.
• Connect pipelines between pumps and containers that are being filled or emptied.

Technology Skills

• Data base user interface and query software - Data entry software
• Electronic mail software - Microsoft Outlook
• Facilities management software - Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word

Tools Used

• Electric boilers - Heating boilers
• Gas compressors - Electrically powered compressors; Gas engine driven compressors; Internal combustion engine driven compressors; Steam driven compressors
• Grease guns - Grease dispensing guns
• Hammers - Multipurpose hammers
• Personal computers
• Pipe wrenches - Adjustable pipe wrenches
• Power drills - Cordless drills
• Pressure indicators - Gas pressure gauges
• Ratchets - Ratchet wrenches
• Screwdrivers - Phillips screwdrivers; Straight screwdrivers
• Socket sets - Socket wrench sets
• Tablet computers
• Water pumps

Knowledge

• Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Public Safety and Security - Knowledge 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.
• Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
• Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Skills

• Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Active Listening - Giving 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.
• Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Abilities

• Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
• Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
• Problem Sensitivity - The 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.
• Multilimb Coordination - The 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.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
• Perceptual Speed - The 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.
• Information Ordering - The 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).
• Reaction Time - The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
• Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Auditory Attention - The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
• Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
• Rate Control - The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Time Sharing - The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
• Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Interests

• Interest code: RC
  • Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
  • Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Work Context

• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - 100% responded “Every day.”
• Outdoors, Exposed to Weather - 86% responded “Every day.”
• Electronic Mail - 81% responded “Every day.”
• Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - 87% responded “Very high responsibility.”
• Telephone - 76% responded “Every day.”
• Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable - 80% responded “Every day.”
• Exposed to Contaminants - 76% responded “Every day.”
• Very Hot or Cold Temperatures - 76% responded “Every day.”
• Work With Work Group or Team - 69% responded “Extremely important.”
• Exposed to Hazardous Equipment - 77% responded “Every day.”
• Face-to-Face Discussions - 67% responded “Every day.”
• In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment - 78% responded “Every day.”
• Consequence of Error - 58% responded “Extremely serious.”
• Duration of Typical Work Week - 66% responded “More than 40 hours.”
• Freedom to Make Decisions - 47% responded “Some freedom.”
• Structured versus Unstructured Work - 44% responded “A lot of freedom.”
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - 41% responded “Very important.”
• Exposed to Hazardous Conditions - 67% responded “Every day.”
• Contact With Others - 40% responded “Constant contact with others.”
• Outdoors, Under Cover - 58% responded “Every day.”
• Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - 34% responded “Very important results.”
• Frequency of Decision Making - 41% responded “Every day.”
• Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - 47% responded “Important.”
• Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled - 52% responded “Every day.”
• Time Pressure - 43% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Physical Proximity - 39% responded “Very close (near touching).”
• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - 32% responded “More than half the time.”
• Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment - 39% responded “Very important.”
• Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - 36% responded “High responsibility.”
• Coordinate or Lead Others - 70% responded “Very important.”
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - 52% responded “Every day.”
• Level of Competition - 37% responded “Moderately competitive.”
• Spend Time Walking and Running - 42% responded “More than half the time.”
• Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting - 39% responded “Every day.”
• Spend Time Sitting - 26% responded “More than half the time.”
• Exposed to High Places - 41% responded “Once a year or more but not every month.”
• Spend Time Standing - 60% responded “About half the time.”

Work Styles

• Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
• Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
• Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
• Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
• Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
• Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Work Values

• Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
• Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
• Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Wages & Trends

• Median wages (2017)
  • $30.20 hourly, $62,810 annual
• Employment (2016)
  • 4,000 employees
• Projected growth (2016-2026)
  • Slower than average (2% to 4%)
• Projected job openings (2016-2026)
  • 500