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Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers

SOC 53-7072.00Job Zone 2 · Some Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers pump station and pipeline terminal operations involving material transfer monitoring, equipment maintenance, flow planning, and safety compliance across industrial processing, storage, and shipping environments.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Pressure gauges and flowmeters — read and report current readings under direct supervisor guidance at a pump station.
  2. Operating log entries — record basic data such as products pumped and operating times using standardized paper forms.
  3. Hand valves and pump start controls — operate under step-by-step instruction to initiate or stop material flow in a fixed-pipeline environment.
  4. Hose and pipeline connections — attach to pumps and vessels using common hand tools while following a supervisor-verified checklist.
  5. Tank substance levels — check using calibrated dipping rods or mercury gauges under direct observation at a storage facility.
  6. Radio and telephone communication protocols — follow established call signals to coordinate start and stop commands with nearby workers.
  7. Abnormal gauge readings — recognize and immediately report deviations from specified pressure or temperature ranges to a lead operator.
  8. Pump and vessel exterior surfaces — clean and apply lubrication according to a written maintenance schedule under close supervision.
  9. Spreadsheet and word processing software — enter basic operational data into pre-formatted templates in a control room setting.
  10. Safety and operational procedures — read and follow written protocols relevant to liquid or gas transfer tasks at an entry-level pump station.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Gauge arrays and flowmeter readings — monitor continuously across a shift and document temperature, pressure, and chemical levels with minimal oversight at a processing facility.
  2. Daily operating records — compile and reconcile data on quantities pumped, stock usage, and gauging results using spreadsheet software in a control room environment.
  3. Pump startup and valve sequencing — execute routine start, stop, and flow-regulation procedures independently for liquids, slurries, or gases in a mid-size pipeline system.
  4. Hose and pipeline assemblies — connect and disconnect correctly under varying transfer conditions, selecting appropriate hand tools without supervisor direction.
  5. Tank-level monitoring — interpret tank charts and mercury gauge readings to track substance inventories and flag discrepancies during routine shift operations.
  6. Inter-shift radio and telephone coordination — communicate clearly with upstream and downstream operators to synchronize material flows across a multi-unit facility.
  7. Minor pump and vessel repairs — diagnose and perform basic maintenance tasks such as packing adjustments and seal replacements using hand tools.
  8. Material movement sequencing — plan product routing through familiar interconnected pipelines and valve manifolds based on working knowledge of system capacity.
  9. Industrial control software — navigate and adjust operational parameters within a SCADA or plant control interface during standard-conditions monitoring.
  10. Troubleshooting common equipment issues — apply logical steps to identify causes of pressure drops or flow irregularities and implement corrective actions in established scenarios.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Full-shift gauge and flowmeter monitoring — manage an entire pump station instrumentation suite autonomously, identifying subtle anomalies before they escalate to operational failures.
  2. Complex product movement plans — develop detailed routing strategies through multi-segment pipeline networks, accounting for varying pressures, capacities, and tankage constraints.
  3. Non-routine valve and pump operations — adapt sequencing procedures independently when pipeline configurations change or unexpected blockages occur at processing or storage terminals.
  4. Operating data analysis — interpret historical logs and trend data using database and spreadsheet tools to identify efficiency gaps and recommend operational adjustments.
  5. Advanced equipment troubleshooting — diagnose and resolve mechanical failures in pumps, seals, and manifolds across the full scope of facility systems with minimal downtime.
  6. Cross-functional communication — coordinate with maintenance, shipping, and production teams via radio and electronic mail to align material transfer schedules with facility-wide priorities.
  7. Emergency response execution — apply critical thinking and established emergency protocols to manage spills, pressure surges, or equipment failures safely at an active pump station.
  8. Vessel and pipeline integrity checks — conduct thorough inspections of tanks, hoses, and fittings and evaluate findings against specification standards without supervisory review.
  9. Maintenance scheduling adherence — plan and execute cleaning, lubrication, and repair cycles for multiple pump units to minimize unplanned outages across an operational shift.
  10. Regulatory and safety documentation — prepare accurate incident and compliance reports using office suite software, ensuring records meet industry and facility standards.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Facility-wide pump operations strategy — set material flow plans, staffing priorities, and contingency protocols for an entire pump station or terminal to meet production and shipping targets.
  2. Operator training and mentoring — develop on-the-job training programs and coach emerging and developing pump operators in safe gauging, valve operation, and record-keeping practices.
  3. Operational performance standards — establish key performance benchmarks for flow efficiency, equipment uptime, and data accuracy, driving continuous improvement across the workforce.
  4. Cross-departmental coordination leadership — serve as the primary liaison between pump operations, maintenance, logistics, and management teams to align throughput goals at an organizational level.
  5. Incident investigation and root cause analysis — lead post-event reviews of equipment failures or safety incidents, identifying systemic causes and implementing corrective measures facility-wide.
  6. Capital equipment and maintenance planning — advise management on pump and pipeline upgrade priorities, contributing technical justification to budget and procurement decisions.
  7. Regulatory compliance oversight — ensure facility operations conform to environmental, safety, and industry standards by auditing procedures, records, and operator practices across all shifts.
  8. Emergency and contingency planning — design and maintain facility emergency response plans for pressure failures, spills, and hazardous material releases, conducting drills to validate readiness.
  9. Technology and systems integration — evaluate and champion adoption of industrial control software, SCADA enhancements, and digital record-keeping tools to modernize pump operations.
  10. Organizational knowledge management — document institutional expertise in system interconnections, valve manifold configurations, and operational best practices to sustain workforce capability over time.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Show O*NET source anchors45 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Acid Loader · Acid Pump Operator · Airveyor Operator · Boom Pump Operator · Booster Station Operator · Brewery Pumper · Caustic Pump Operator · Chemical Pumper · Concrete Boom Pump Operator · Concrete Operator · Concrete Pump Operator · Day Light Relief Operator
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlMonitoringReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingTroubleshootingJudgment and Decision MakingTime Management
Knowledge domains
Production and ProcessingEnglish LanguageMechanicalMathematics
Abilities
Near VisionOral ComprehensionProblem SensitivityPerceptual SpeedOral ExpressionControl PrecisionInformation OrderingWritten ExpressionDeductive ReasoningWritten Comprehension
Work styles
DependabilityCautiousnessAttention to DetailStress ToleranceSelf-ControlIntegrity
Technology
Facilities management softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing softwareData base user interface and query softwareIndustrial control software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. 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.
  2. Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, stocks used, gauging results, and operating times.
  3. 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.
  4. Turn valves and start pumps to start or regulate flows of substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials.
  5. Communicate with other workers, using signals, radios, or telephones, to start and stop flows of materials or substances.
  6. Connect hoses and pipelines to pumps and vessels prior to material transfer, using hand tools.
  7. Tend vessels that store substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials, checking levels of substances by using calibrated rods or by reading mercury gauges and tank charts.
  8. Clean, lubricate, and repair pumps and vessels, using hand tools and equipment.
CIP education codes
49.020849.010649.010249.010849.010551.0810

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.