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Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers

Also called: Outside Operator, Pipeline Operator, Pumper, Tank Farm Operator

What they do:

Tend, control, or operate power-driven, stationary, or portable pumps and manifold systems to transfer gases, oil, other liquids, slurries, or powdered materials to and from various vessels and processes.

On the job, you would:
  • Monitor gauges and flowmeters and inspect equipment to ensure that tank levels, temperatures, chemical amounts, and pressures are at specified levels, reporting abnormalities as necessary.
  • Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, stocks used, gauging results, and operating times.
  • Plan movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of interconnections and capacities of pipelines, valve manifolds, pumps, and tankage.
On the job, you'll need:

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • manufacture and distribution of products

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Engineering and Technology

  • mechanical

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
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

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

Verbal

  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking

Visual Understanding

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

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady

Controlled Movement

  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat

Realistic

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

  • Attention to Detail
  • Independence
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Analytical Thinking

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Electronic mail software

  • Microsoft Outlook

Facilities management software

  • Computerized maintenance management system CMMS

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Average.

New job opportunities are likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $55,860

Education

High school diploma/GED or bachelor's degree is usually needed.

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