Pump Operators

Outside Operator, Pipeline Operator, Pumper, Tank Farm Operator

Where in the military? Select a military branch to see samples.
Fuels; Fuels Apprentice; Fuels Craftsman; Fuels Journeyman; Fuels Manager; Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance; Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Apprentice; Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Craftsman; Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Helper; Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Journeyman
Petroleum Supply Specialist; Petroleum Systems Technician; Quartermaster and Chemical Equipment Repairer; Unit Supply Specialist; Water Treatment Specialist; Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic
Damage Controlman; Machinery Technician; Marine Safety Specialist Engineer; Naval Engineering Specialty
Cryogenics Equipment Operator; Expeditionary Fuels Technician; Petroleum Quality Assurance and Additization Specialist; Water Support Technician
Aircraft Fueling Officer; Aviation Boatswain's Mate, Fuels; Aviation Fuels Below Deck Operations Technician; Aviation Fuels Shore Base Operations Technician; Aviation Support Equipment Technician; Conversion NEC ABF Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels); Electromagnetic Aircraft Launching System (EMALS) Operator/Maintainer; Engineering Bulk Fuel System (Shore) Technician; Machinist's Mate; Machinists Mate (Weapons)
Fuels; Fuels Apprentice; Fuels Craftsman; Fuels Helper; Fuels Journeyman
What they do:
Tend, control, or operate power-driven, stationary, or portable pumps and manifold systems to transfer gases, oil, other liquids, slurries, or powdered materials to and from various vessels and processes.
On the job, you would:
  • Monitor gauges and flowmeters and inspect equipment to ensure that tank levels, temperatures, chemical amounts, and pressures are at specified levels, reporting abnormalities as necessary.
  • Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, stocks used, gauging results, and operating times.
  • Plan movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of interconnections and capacities of pipelines, valve manifolds, pumps, and tankage.

Knowledge

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • manufacture and distribution of products

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Engineering and Technology

  • mechanical

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Skills

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Verbal

  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking

Visual Understanding

  • quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things
  • see hidden patterns

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady

Controlled Movement

  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Independence
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Analytical Thinking

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology

Electronic mail software

  • Microsoft Outlook Hot Technology

Facilities management software

  • Computerized maintenance management system CMMS

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
bachelor's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Average
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
Local Salary Info
Find Jobs
See more details at O*NET OnLine about pump operators.