Full Job Description:

Plains All American (PAA) is an industry-leading transportation and midstream provider specializing in transportation, storage, processing, and marketing solutions for crude oil and natural gas liquids (NGLs). We own an extensive network of pipeline transportation, terminalling, storage, and gathering assets in key crude oil and NGL-producing basins and transportation corridors and at major market hubs in the United States and Canada. On average, PAA handles more than 6 million barrels per day of crude oil and NGL in its Transportation segment. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

We are looking for highly motivated individuals who enjoy working as part of a team in a dynamic and entrepreneurial work environment. Our Operations department is a talented group of professionals who are committed to conducting our business in a manner that ensures the safety and security of the public, our employees and contractors, our assets, and the environment. We want consistent and predictable operations done the right way, every time.

Plains has immediate openings for Pipeline Controllers in our Midland, Texas, location. Reporting to a Console Manager, you will operate pipelines remotely from our pipeline control center via Plains’ SCADA system. In addition, you will monitor pressure, flow, temperature, and tank levels and respond to alarm conditions as they arise.

Strong communication skills in this position are critical. Continual phone conversations with other pipeline controllers, supervisors, and field operating personnel, both internal and external to the company, are a daily occurrence. In addition, you must interface with schedulers regarding pumping orders.

This role requires working a twelve (12)–hour rotating shift schedule with minimal time away from the console during shifts. The control center is staffed seven (7) days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Preference will be given to local candidates.

Plains provides a top-tier group benefit plan for employees and their eligible dependents, and new employees are eligible to participate on the first day of employment.

Responsibilities:

Control and Monitor Pipeline Operations – Maintain pressures and flow rates within guidelines; track batches within pipelines; monitor line balance / over short to keep with tolerances; respond to alarm conditions at stations and notify proper personnel; respond to communications failures with remote sites and notify personnel.
Coordinate Operational Activities – Coordinate with field personnel on maintenance; coordinate with other control centers on movements; run batches on pipelines by schedulers’ orders; handle emergency dig reports as necessary.
Complete Required Daily Paperwork – Complete stream sheets every two hours; log major events in pipeline log on trouble report; complete morning report that details movements from the previous day; transmit the report to field locations by email or fax where applicable.
Complete Training – Complete assigned computer-based training and DOT Operator Qualification Training as required; participate in safety meetings, Complete Abnormal Operations training as necessary
Respond to Emergency Situations – Execute safe shutdown of facilities during emergencies; participate in safety meetings; answer calls on 1-800 line and report to proper personnel; interact with field personnel during emergencies; complete leak/spill paperwork associated with emergencies.

Qualifications:

High School Diploma or equivalent
Knowledge of pipeline operations including gauging, station operations, hydraulics, etc. Minimum experience level would include operational experience from field-level jobs or exceptional aptitude for Control Center work
Able to read, write, and comprehend English
Good mathematics skills
Able to focus and switch from task to task as required
Able to complete and pass Operator Qualification Training as required by Plains and the Department of Transportation (DOT)
Basic knowledge of pipeline operations with the ability to monitor flows, pressures, and tank levels at various stations as well as diagnose potential problems
Able to learn and understand the workings of the SCADA system
Computer literate in Excel, Word, Access, and Outlook
Able to handle stressful situations and multi-task with different operations occurring on different pipelines at the same time
Successful Console Operator Basic Requirements Assessment (COBRA)
Cleared criminal history (background) checks and satisfactory reference checks
Compliance with the company’s Drug & Alcohol Policy including pre-employment testing
Valid state driver’s license and driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers