Process Operator at Astron Energy (Pty) Ltd.

Operate the Process (on the plant, in allocated zone):

• Perform first line equipment surveillance and monitoring
• Conduct routine plant checks
• Follow standard operating procedure when performing routine duties, start-up, shutdown, and emergency scenarios
• Commission/decommission equipment or process plant
• Timeously, report equipment or process deviations. Communicate with the Console Operator and Shift Team Lead
• Conduct plant basic housekeeping
• Perform emergency response duties during the emergency scenarios. Operators will be trained accordingly and certified as Shift Emergency Team (SERT)
• Perform adhoc duties assigned by the Shift Team Lead

Maintain Plant & Equipment:

• Report equipment deviations and breakdowns
• Prepare equipment for maintenance
• Issue permits for maintenance work
• Support during equipment maintenance
• Ensure that the maintenance is executed as per safety standards
• Perform minor on-shift maintenance activities such as:
• Pump & valve lubrication, changing strainers (up to 8”)
• Swinging small blinds
• Tighten leaking flanges up to 6″
• Changing pressure gauges
• Clean gauge glasses and oil guns
• General plant housekeeping
• Unplug bleeders
• Connect utility hoses
• Install bar plugs
• Signage installation
• Pump vibration monitoring
• Small steam trap replacement
• Hose pressure test
• Electrical isolation on low voltage equipment
• Instrumentation zero checking
• Conduct Pre-Start-up Safety Review after maintenance work is complete

COMMUNICATION AND INTERPRETATION OF INFORMATION

• Record and document plant and equipment conditions, communicate plant status and condition timeously to Console Operator, Shift Team Lead and Refinery Shift Lead
• Write up and read logbooks and communicate with the handover shift

HANDLING OF MATERIALS AND LAB TESTING & QUALITY

• Draw routine/non-routine samples for the laboratory, complete documentation for lab samples, check stock of consumables and compare with levels, make up of chemicals. Carry out basic lab testing
• Perform quality inspections and make adjustments to restore quality, in consultation with the Console Operator

HES (Health, Environment & Safety) & EMERGENCIES

• Complete routine checks of safety equipment
• Perform plant inspections, report, and address any unsafe or hazardous conditions
• Identify fugitive emissions, repair/tighten where practical and report where necessary, for follow up
• Perform emergency drills and participate in emergency response teams, understand, and follow safety indicators and emergency procedures.  Assist other areas of the plant during emergencies
• During an emergency, operators will be required to perform emergency response duties. Operators will be trained accordingly and certified as Shift Emergency Response Team (SERT).

RELATIONSHIPS

• Work well with other outside or Process Operators, Console Operators, Shift Team Lead and Refinery Shift Leads, to ensure good teamwork
• Mentor and coach new and existing operators

Training

• Process Operators are expected to progress training with a target to be fully qualified in their areas.
• To maintain competency, Process Operators will rotate across the process field units.
• Process Operators will be requalified every 3 years.

Shift Handover

• Complete handover as per the handover protocols
• Start of shift time is a per the shift rules

Professional Qualification and Certifications:

• Matric with Mathematics and Physical Science
• Tertiary qualification in engineering will be advantageous 

Work Experience:  

• Oil and Gas Refinery Process Unit Operations Qualifications or equivalent qualification and/or other relevant experience to demonstrate ability to do the jo

Knowledge and skills:

• Refinery Operational Experience (advantageous)
• Technical knowledge
• Analytical Thinking
• Troubleshooting Skills
• Strong communication skills
• Collaboration with others

Application deadline:

• 22 October 2025