Searching

Career Exploration

Gas Plant Operators

Also called: Gas Controller, Gas Dispatcher, Gas Plant Operator, Plant Operator

What they do:

Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.

On the job, you would:
  • Monitor equipment functioning, observe temperature, level, and flow gauges, and perform regular unit checks to ensure that all equipment is operating as it should.
  • Distribute or process gas for utility companies or industrial plants, using panel boards, control boards, and semi-automatic equipment.
  • Control operation of compressors, scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration equipment to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas.
On the job, you'll need:

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security

Engineering and Technology

  • mechanical
  • computers and electronics

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Visual Understanding

  • quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things
  • see hidden patterns

Attention

  • pay attention to something without being distracted
  • do two or more things at the same time

Verbal

  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by writing

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Cooperation
  • Independence

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Data base user interface and query software

  • Operating log software
  • Quorum PGAS

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Below Average.

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $79,460

Education

High school diploma/GED or certificate after high school is usually needed.