Operations Specialist

Vertex Energy is a leading energy transition company that specializes in producing high-purity refined fuels and products. Our innovative solutions are designed to enhance the performance of our customers and partners while also prioritizing sustainability, safety, and operational excellence. With a commitment to providing superior products and services, Vertex Energy is dedicated to shaping the future of the energy industry.

The primary function of the Operations Specialist is to manage all oil transfers inter-terminal and to marine transport barges. Monitor the working condition of all equipment, tools and machinery required to operate the terminal operations under the direction of the Operations Supervisor or Terminal Manager.

Operations Specialist must follow and support all company occupational Health, Safety and Environmental regulations set forth by the company and local, state, and federal regulating authorities. Further, fundamentally understand and adhere to all company Hazard Risk Assessments as outlined for the position and site.

The position is generally Monday through Friday, however, at short notice, required to work after normal business hours, weekends and holidays as required for marine loadings, terminal security checks, and emergency response activities.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

The Operations Specialist must demonstrate comprehensive knowledge, or willingness to learn the following key skills:

• Bulk liquid storage, monitoring shore tank levels using electronic gauges and by physical tape measuring, taking temperatures at multiple levels.
• Look up and calculate tank volumes using strapping table via innage or ullage.
• Sample of shore tanks and road tanker trucks.
• Monitor operation conditions of transfer pumps and equipment and identify needs for service, lubrication or when in need of alignment.
• Line up pipelines for marine loading or tank transfer, walking the line for all oil transfers.
• Proactive thinking regarding monitoring all terminal operational equipment.
• Lubrication of valves and pumps, adjust the operational equipment in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures, manufacturer’s specifications, including monitoring equipment while operating to ensure they remain within parameters or defined ranges.
• Routine inspections and monitoring of: Medical first aid boxes, exit lights and signs, fire extinguishers and emergency response equipment.
• Create and update daily oil transfer reports.
• Morning pre-checks and the documentation of all moving equipment for safety, operational readiness, liquid levels, and suitability to operate.
• On-demand mosquito treatment of the property using the industrial motorized dispenser unit.
• Offload of bulk oil road tankers.
• The understanding and obligations for using the “Stop Work Authority” for the terminal.
• Keep logs of all activities performed around the terminal, on equipment, or activities to ensure facility security.
• Understanding of Hazard Risk Assessments and reporting of incidents, accidents, and near misses.
• Participate in incident investigations, reporting, update the company incident management system, actively engage in the root cause analysis, and work with the team to find and make recommendations for procedural or process modifications and updates to improve control measures.
• Ability to read and review P&ID diagrams to assist with troubleshooting unit issues, confirming product movement line-up.
• Participate in finding efficiencies by challenging operational performance and activities.

Annual and Periodic Training:

• Attend and participate in all company mandated training, both annual and periodical.
• Attend external or on-line training on specific operational process equipment, for improved troubleshooting, routine monitoring, repair and controls to ensure full operational performance and equipment uptime is achieved.
• Take an active role with onboarding new staff, succession planning training and growth.
• Attend other training events to ensure an updated understanding of all regulatory government entities and the needed compliance at site level or marine activity levels.

Safety Management:

• The understanding and obligations for using the “Stop Work Authority” for the terminal.
• Participate to maintain a repair and maintenance list for operational equipment.
• Obtain work orders and permits, including prioritizing this work based upon urgency, abilities and costs.
• Operational understanding of Lock-Out-Tag-Out (LOTO) procedures, training, and monitoring how to ensure equipment energy isolation is achieved.
• Operational understanding of the PSSR procedures before the startup of any isolated equipment or process.
• Follow and understand the Management of Change (MOC) process.
• Attend all site safety meetings.

Education, Experience and Specific Required Skills:

• Minimum of High School Diploma required.
• Valid TWIC or ability to obtain one.
• Associate’s degree in Process Technology or equivalent preferred but not required.
• Minimum two years’ related experience or transferable skills, or an equivalent combination of education and experience to meet the requirements for this position.
• Excellent general mechanical aptitude with 1-3 years of previous work experience in a liquid terminal or plant.
• Working independently or in a team environment is essential.
• Monitor assigned company email.
• Participation and monitor of MS Teams.
• Ability to update forms within MS Teams, Excel and Word.
• Basic mathematical skills, including basic Excel formulas, fractions, reading of measuring tapes, determine flow rates, barge loading rates, monitor and calculate times.
• Ability to monitor local tides for operational impact.
• Inspect and operate various types of pumps, including centrifugal and positive displacement.
• Understanding the theory and operation of various types of boilers, heat exchangers, and chemical injection systems.
• Offloading liquid bulk from tanker trucks and loading of marine barges
• Ability to take on any other miscellaneous duties as assigned by management.

Health, Safety, and Environmental:

• Adhere to all PPE requirements as outlined by the company and site.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of industry standard safety, health, and environmental practices and regulations set by various government entities.
• Ongoing self-awareness of safety and monitoring of working activities or staff around them and understanding the obligation to activate Stop Work when you see something wrong, speak up!

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person