How to hire an oil refinery operator

How to hire an oil refinery operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step oil refinery operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an oil refinery operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new oil refinery operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the oil refinery operator you need to hire. Certain oil refinery operator roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An oil refinery operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, oil refinery operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of oil refinery operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Oil Refinery Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Oil Refinery Operator		$13-39
   Process Operator	A process operator's role is to supervise all production operations in a manufacturing plant or similar setting. To ensure the efficiency and safety of the workforce and the workload, a process operator must regularly conduct inspections on the manufacturing processes and provide an assessment of the employees' progress... Show more	$13-23
   Control Operator	The duties of a control operator depend on their line of work or industry of employment. Typically, it includes adhering to a set of protocols, controlling machines and equipment, identifying the needs of daily operations, and performing regular maintenance checks, conducting repairs when necessary... Show more	$15-26

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Production Equipment
   • Distillation
   • Flow Rates
   • Exchangers

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage smart pig cleaning and maintenance schedule for all assign areas of responsibility.
   • Experience operating and maintaining pipeline systems and relate equipment utilize in natural gas and liquids gathering and transmission systems.
   • Perform both unit operation and remote console operation for same facility.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your oil refinery operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An oil refinery operator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, oil refinery operators' average salary in wyoming is 48% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level oil refinery operators earn 65% less than senior-level oil refinery operators.
   • Certifications. An oil refinery operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an oil refinery operator's salary.

   Average oil refinery operator salary

   $49,242yearly

   $23.67 hourly rate

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   Entry-level oil refinery operator salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 13, 2025

4. Writing an oil refinery operator job description

   A good oil refinery operator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an oil refinery operator job description:

   Oil refinery operator job description example

   Perdue AgriBusiness is part of Perdue Farms, a family-owned company heading into it's second century of growth and innovation. An international agricultural products and services company, we handle agricultural commodities and have a diverse portfolio of products and businesses.
   **Summary**
   
   Perdue AgriBusiness is seeking a **Refinery Operator** at the **Bowersville, GA** location. The Operator will be responsible for grain handling and oilseed production equipment to meet the quality and production requirements to ensure on time supply of products for the customer.
   
   **Principal and Essential Duties & Responsibilities**
   
   Performs all work within safety and environmental guidelines established by local, state, and federal agencies as well as company policies
   
   Assist in all phases of oilseed-crushing and refining operations, including receiving, packing, loading and shipping products
   
   Assist with quality and safety checks as established by company policies and procedures
   
   Assist operators with plant operations including equipment monitoring and handling process aids
   
   Assist with routine maintenance and basic troubleshooting on operating equipment
   
   Performs general labor, housekeeping and sanitation responsibilities as required
   
   Accurately complete all documentation related to shipping and receiving activities
   
   **Minimum Education**
   
   High school or equivalent.
   
   **Experience Requirements**
   
   0 - 2 years experience. Strong reading, writing, math and analytical skills.
   
   **Environmental Factors and Physical Requirements**
   
   Able to move freely throughout the AgiBusiness facilities to include climbing vertical heights (0 - 150'), walking on elevated bar-grating platforms, carrying tools and equipment (0 -50 lbs), exposure to extreme temperatures (0-100 degree Fahrenheit), humidity (0 - 100%), noise (50db to 100db) and chemical (MSDS sheets available). Must be able to wear protective equipment to include self-contained breathing apparatus, hard hat, safety glasses, protective footwear and other PPE as required. Required to occasionally travel to remote AgriBusiness facilities.
   
   _Perdue Farms, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status._

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right oil refinery operator for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your oil refinery operator job on Zippia to find and recruit oil refinery operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit oil refinery operators, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new oil refinery operator

   Once you've selected the best oil refinery operator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new oil refinery operator. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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