ONEOK

Operator Intern

Des Moines, IA Full time

#WeAreONEOK Fortune 500 company. 100+ years in business. Leading midstream service provider. Safety first. Sustainable operations. Environmentally responsible. Employee focused.

JOB SUMMARY

Join our team as a Pipeline Operations Intern and gain hands-on experience in maintaining and supporting pipeline systems. You will assist with operational and maintenance activities to ensure compliance with safety standards, regulatory requirements, and company practices. This internship offers exposure to real-world pipeline operations, equipment reliability, and product quality monitoring.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

As an intern, you will work under supervision and assist with tasks such as:

  • Operational Support
    • Assist with startup and shutdown procedures.
    • Support pigging operations and liquid collection.
    • Help with changing charts and gauging tanks.
    • Participate in locating and marking lines.
  • Maintenance Assistance
    • Monitor cathodic protection and basic pipe coatings.
    • Assist with leakage surveys and pipeline patrols.
    • Help blow drips and dispatch line locates.
    • Observe construction watch activities.
  • Equipment and Material Handling
    • Monitor usage and assist in replacing lubricants, fluids, inhibitors, and chemicals as needed for safe and efficient operations.
  • Data and Reporting
    • Assist in compiling information and preparing reports related to:
      • Gas/liquid flow and quality.
      • Maintenance and repair logs.
      • Pipeline and corrosion activities.
      • Regulatory compliance documentation.
  • Safety and Compliance
    • Learn and adhere to safety protocols.
    • Respond promptly under supervision to emergency situations to prevent injury or property damage.
  • Additional Exposure
    • Observe Department of Transportation (DOT) covered functions, including operations, maintenance, and emergency response on pipelines.

Qualifications

  • Currently enrolled in a process technology, operator or related program.
  • Interest in pipeline operations and energy industry.
  • Ability to work outdoors and in varying conditions.
  • Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn.
  • Valid driver’s license preferred.

What You’ll Gain

  • Practical experience in pipeline operations and maintenance.
  • Understanding of regulatory compliance and safety standards.
  • Mentorship from experienced professionals.
  • Opportunity to develop technical and problem-solving skills.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge of: cathodic protection/corrosion control activities
  • Ability to: establish, prioritize assignments and complete assignments in a timely manner with supervision
  • Ability to: interact, negotiate, communicate and/or exchange written and verbal information and instructions
  • Ability to: use tools and equipment including computers and related software
  • Ability to: apply basic arithmetic to include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division

Licenses and Certifications

  • None required

Strength Factor Rating - Physical Demands/Requirements

  • Heavy Work - Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Medium Work.

Strength Factor Description - Physical Demands/Requirements

  • Standing: Remaining on one's feet in an upright position at a work station without moving about (Frequently)
  • Walking: Moving about on foot (Frequently)
  • Sitting: Remaining in a seated position (Occasionally)
  • Lifting: Raising or lowering an object from one level to another (includes upward pulling) (Occasionally)
  • Carrying: Transporting an object, usually holding it in the hands or arms, or on the shoulder (Occasionally)
  • Pushing: Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves away from the force (Occasionally)
  • Pulling: Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves toward the force (includes jerking) (Occasionally)
  • Climbing: Ladders, Stairs (Occasionally)
  • Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling (Occasionally)
  • Stooping: Bending the body downward and forward by bending the spine at the waist (Occasionally)
  • Kneeling: Bending the legs at the knees to come to rest on the knee or knees (Occasionally)
  • Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending the legs and spine (Occasionally)
  • Crawling: Moving about on the hands and arms in any direction (Occasionally)
  • Reaching: Extending hands and arms in any direction (Constantly)
  • Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning or otherwise working with the hand or hands (Manual Dexterity) (Constantly)
  • Fingering: Picking, pinching or otherwise working with the fingers primarily (Finger Dexterity) (Constantly)
  • Feeling: Perceiving such attributes of objects/materials as size, shape, temperature, texture, movement or pulsation by receptors in the skin, particularly those of the finger tips (Constantly)
  • Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas/information by means of the spoken word (Frequently)
  • Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sound by the ear (Frequently)
  • Tasting/Smelling: (Constantly)
  • Near Vision: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less (Constantly)
  • Far Vision: Clarity of vision at 20 feet for more (Constantly)
  • Depth Perception: Three-dimensional vision; ability to judge distances and spatial relationships so as to see objects where and as they actually are (Constantly)
  • Vision: Color - The ability to identify and distinguish colors (Constantly)

Working Conditions/Environment

  • Employee is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions

Working Conditions

  • Well lighted, climate controlled areas (Frequently)
  • Outdoor weather conditions (Frequently)
  • Wet or humid conditions (not weather related) (Frequently)
  • Extreme cold (not weather related) (Frequently)
  • Extreme heat (not weather related) (Frequently)
  • Dust, fumes, gases (Frequently)
  • Moving mechanical parts (Frequently)
  • Potential electric shock (Frequently)
  • Prolonged exposure to vibration (Frequently)
  • High pitched noises/loud noises (Frequently)
  • Unprotected heights (Frequently)
  • Frequent repetitive motion (Constantly)
  • CRT (Computer Monitor(s)) (Constantly)

Travel

  • Some travel may be required

Driving

  • Based on assigned tasks, employee may be assigned a company vehicle requiring the applicable driver's license

ONEOK is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, national origin, gender identity, disability, military/veteran status, genetic information or any other categories protected by applicable law.

The job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of ONEOK.

ONEOK is committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request an accommodation email HRSolutions@ONEOK.com or call 1-855-663-6547​.