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

Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

1. Monitor transportation and storage of flammable and other potentially dangerous products to ensure that safety guidelines are followed.

2. Monitor equipment functioning, observe temperature, level, and flow gauges, and perform regular unit checks, in order to ensure that all equipment is operating as it should.

3. Control operation of compressors, scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration equipment in order to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas.

4. Start and shut down plant equipment.

5. Record, review, and compile operations records, test results, and gauge readings such as temperatures, pressures, concentrations, and flows.

6. Adjust temperature, pressure, vacuum, level, flow rate, and/or transfer of gas to maintain processes at required levels or to correct problems.

7. Clean, maintain, and repair equipment, using hand tools, or request that repair and maintenance work be performed.

8. Collaborate with other operators to solve unit problems.

9. Determine causes of abnormal pressure variances, and make corrective recommendations, such as installation of pipes to relieve overloading.

10. Read logsheets to determine product demand and disposition, or to detect malfunctions.

11. Test gas, chemicals, and air during processing to assess factors such as purity and moisture content, and to detect quality problems or gas or chemical leaks.

Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

There are no school programs currently associated with this occupation

In NY the average wage for this occupation was:

$59,660 for entry level workers, and $79,770 for experienced workers.

Based on the total number of annual openings and its growth rate, the employment prospects for this occupation are described as Least Favorable.

During 2006, there were approximately 580 Gas Plant Operators employed in NY.

We estimate that in 2016 there will be 530  employed in NY. This represents a decrease of 0 job(s) each year, and a total of 20 job openings each year.

There are no additional resources for this occupation.

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