What Do Gas Pumping Station Operators Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Gas Pumping Station Operators operate steam, gas, electric motor, or internal combustion engine driven compressors. Transmit, compress, or recover gases, such as butane, nitrogen, hydrogen, and natural gas. They also monitor meters and pressure gauges to determine consumption rate variations, temperatures, and pressures.

Other tasks include:

• Respond to problems by adjusting control room equipment or instructing other personnel to adjust equipment at problem locations or in other control areas.
• Record instrument readings and operational changes in operating logs.
• Adjust valves and equipment to obtain specified performance.
• Move controls and turn valves to start compressor engines, pumps, and auxiliary equipment.
• Operate power-driven pumps that transfer liquids, semi-liquids, gases, or powdered materials.
• Submit daily reports on facility operations.

We asked Gas Pumping Station Operators how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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61% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 47% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Gas Pumping Station Operators submit daily reports on facility operations. They record instrument readings and operational changes in operating logs.

A typical day for a Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operator will also include:

• Read gas meters, and maintain records of the amounts of gas received and dispensed from holders.
• Operate power-driven pumps that transfer liquids, semi-liquids, gases, or powdered materials.
• Move controls and turn valves to start compressor engines, pumps, and auxiliary equipment.
• Maintain each station by performing general housekeeping duties such as painting, washing, and cleaning.
• Respond to problems by adjusting control room equipment or instructing other personnel to adjust equipment at problem locations or in other control areas.

We asked some Gas Pumping Station Operators a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	57% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	35% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	46% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	5% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	2% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	29% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Gas Pumping Station Operators also clean, lubricate, and adjust equipment, and replace filters and gaskets, using hand tools. They may also maintain each station by performing general housekeeping duties such as painting, washing, and cleaning.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Gas Pumping Station Operators Turn knobs or switches to regulate pressures. They might also Connect pipelines between pumps and containers that are being filled or emptied.

In addition, they Move controls and turn valves to start compressor engines, pumps, and auxiliary equipment.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Adjust valves and equipment to obtain specified performance.

To some Gas Pumping Station Operators, it is also their responsibility to Read gas meters, and maintain records of the amounts of gas received and dispensed from holders.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operator, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2013/spring/art02.pdf

http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes537071.htm