Operations Technician

About this role

Job Family Group: Operations Group Job Description: Job Description

At bp, we are looking for Process Operations Technician at our Cherry Point Refinery, where you will be working with team members to maintain, monitor, and control the continuous operations of refinery process equipment. Cherry Point Refinery, located in the northwest corner of Washington State, prides itself in producing quality transportation fuels and other products in a safe, environmentally compliant, and efficient manner.

The Operations Technician (Tech 1) will demonstrate ownership of personal and process safety, supporting a strong safety culture while working effectively, collaboratively, and respectfully on diverse teams, including sharing workloads and helping others when needed. The Operation Technician will show a high level of initiative and dedication to self-directed learning and application of sophisticated refinery processes and seek out assistance when needed. The successful candidate should be observant, willing, and have the courage to speak up, and be internally motivated and accountable for achieving long-term and day-to-day goals and tasks. This role will effectively manage time, resources, and priorities with leadership of the unit foremen.

Other key accountabilities of this role include: 

• Demonstrate ownership of personal safety and the safety of co-workers, supporting a strong safety culture.

• Work effectively, collaboratively, and respectfully on diverse teams, including sharing workloads and helping others when needed.

• Exhibit a high level of initiative and commitment to self-directed learning of complex refinery processes and obtaining general knowledge of a wide range of equipment needed in these processes.

• Monitor and control unit operation in accordance with safe operating limits and overall refinery plan, including following routine, start-up, shutdown, and emergency procedures.

• Be observant, willing, and have the courage to speak up within peer group and leadership.

• Demonstrate ability to troubleshoot operational problems by collecting data, analyzing and interpreting results, and making decisions on appropriate process changes for maintaining product quality and equipment reliability.

• Communicate effectively through verbal and written means amongst all levels of the team through daily logs, shift relief/reports and other materials as required.

• Be internally motivated and accountable for achieving long-term and day-to-day goals and tasks.

• Effectively manage time, resources, and priorities with leadership of the unit foremen.

• Effectively demonstrate and transfer work related knowledge to others in a variety of settings including day-to-day operation, training, and assessment.

• Develop and implement isolation plans of equipment for maintenance, and issue permits for maintenance work in the unit.

• Ability to sit at a control console for extended periods, monitoring process variables and adjusting to maintain operation within defined process parameters.

About you   

A High School Diploma or equivalent (GED) is required for the role, however a bachelor’s degree or associate degree in Process Technology or related field, military experience, technical experience (such as machinist, instrumentation or electrical), and/or operator in a refinery, utility or chemical plant, general refinery experience is preferred.  

It is essential that you have:    • Ability to work 12-hour-rotating shifts which will include nights, weekends, holidays, and must be available for overtime, including short notice overtime (callouts)

• Exhibit safe work practices. 

• Actively take part in the refinery emergency response team. 

• Ability to work in a team-oriented environment both as a leader and team member. 

• Ability to multi-task and be detail oriented. 

• Physical ability to handle the demands of the job with or without accommodation. This will include climbing stairs and ladders, carrying items that weigh 25 pounds or more, lifting items that weigh 50 pounds or more, standing or walking on your feet for an extended period, working outside in all weather, at all times of the day, any day of the week, ability to wear fresh air gear, and work at heights, and in confined spaces. 

• Attain a passing score on the Fundamentals of Refining class, before being released into the assigned unit to begin fieldwork. 

• Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint). 

• All potential employees must receive a passing score on a pre-employment test which includes mechanical aptitude, reading, science, and mathematics concepts and be able to obtain or have a valid Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC) card.  

Eligibility Requirements If you are applying for a position in the United States, you must be at least 18 years of age, legally authorized to work in the United States; and not require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., TN, H1B status), now or in the future.

Why Join Us bp is reimagining energy for people and the planet. By joining our Cherry Point-based team, you’ll contribute directly to the delivery of safe, efficient refined products across the region — supporting our mission to deliver energy securely and sustainably. We offer competitive pay, industry-leading benefits, ongoing development, and the opportunity to shape the energy future in the Pacific Northwest.

How much do we pay? Our hourly rate starts at $44.22 for Tech 1  with the opportunity to advance   to  $62.56 for Tech 5, plus overtime.

This position is eligible for Core U.S. Benefits . This position offers paid vacation depending on your years of relevant industry experience and will range from 120 – 240 hours of vacation per year for full time employees. You will also be eligible for 9 paid holidays per year and 2 personal choice holidays.  You may learn more about how we calculate paid vacation and view our generous vacation and holiday schedules at C

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