Refining Operator Trainee

About the role

An exciting career awaits you

At MPC, we're committed to being a great place to work - one that welcomes new ideas, encourages diverse perspectives, develops our people, and fosters a collaborative team environment.

Overview

Marathon Petroleum is seeking highly motivated Refinery Operator Trainees at its St. Paul Park, Minnesota facility. At this site, Marathon refines crude oil and other feedstocks into transportation fuels, such as conventional gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel and other petroleum products.

Employees work together to monitor, regulate, troubleshoot, and safely operate complex process equipment and safely perform product movement/loading operations. Trainees are expected to learn refining process operations, product movement/loading operations, and will work in one of the process units, tank farm, or loading positions.

Operators work in a safety-sensitive environment; therefore, all candidates must successfully complete a rigorous pre-employment assessment process, drug/alcohol/medical screenings, and background check. Relocation is not approved for candidates external to Marathon. The anticipated training start date is March 29, 2027.

Key Responsibilities

• Operators are responsible for monitoring equipment/processes under their control while keeping product specs and yields at a maximum.
• They must be able to support startup and shutdown of the units and safely operate during process upsets, power failures and mechanical failure.
• Other primary responsibilities will include:

• Conduct periodic equipment monitoring rounds, making required adjustments, conduct product sampling, and complete electronic data entries.
• Troubleshoot process and equipment problems, including but not limited to, general equipment checks and detecting unusual operating conditions (such as noises, abnormal temperature or pressure, and leaks).
• Ensure safe maintenance activities including decontamination of equipment, following lockout tagout procedures and completing safe work permitting.
• Wear all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including self-contained breathing apparatus and participate in emergency response activities.
• Assist others in their training and day-to-day operations.
• Complete daily shift turnovers, communicating equipment/maintenance status with oncoming crew.

Schedule

• Operators currently work a 12-hour rotating shift pattern that uses four crews to provide 24/7 coverage.
• Day shift hours are 5:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Night shift hours are 5:30 PM to 5:30 AM.
• During a four-week cycle, the work/days off schedule is as follows:

• Week 1: Work four (4) consecutive day shifts, followed by seven (7) days off
• Week 2: Work four (4) consecutive night shifts, followed by three (3) days off
• Week 3: Work three (3) consecutive day shifts, followed by one (1) day off
• Week 4: Work three (3) consecutive night shifts followed by three (3) days off

Additional information

Voluntary overtime is typically available as well as periodic mandatory overtime may be required. During major maintenance activities (turnarounds), crew schedules may be modified.

Pay and Benefits

Starting pay rate is $36.48 per hour with a first qualified rate between $43.01 - $53.09 per hour as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local Union No. 120. Employees also receive scheduled annual pay rate increases and eligibility in an annual bonus program.

Benefits include

• 401k plan with Company match of 7% on 6% employee contribution - immediate vesting
• Cash balance pension plan of 7%, 9% or 11% depending on age and years of service - 3 years vesting
• Health/Dental/Vision benefits
• Long & Short-Term Disability benefits
• New hires start with a minimum of 3 weeks paid vacation (prorated upon month hired)

Minimum (Required) Qualifications

• At least 18 years of age.
• High School graduate or GED equivalent.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Possess basic math, reading, writing, verbal and computer skills.
• Willing and able to work a 12-hour rotating shift pattern including weekends, nights, holidays and overtime.
• Authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time, indefinite basis without the need for employment visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Candidates must have the ability to

• Obtain a Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC) - post offer.
• Pass the Minnesota Special Engineer (Boiler's License) test - during onboarding.
• Participate in the onsite interview process and related assessments (online test and onsite work demonstration).
• Successfully complete pre-employment background check and drug/alcohol/medical screening.
• Successfully complete operator qualification training and participate in random drug & alcohol screenings.
• Learn and apply complex refinery related processes and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Process Technology, Technical/Chemical, Power Plant Technology or related field preferred.
• 2+ years' experience as a process operator in the petrochemical or related industry preferred.
• Good mechanical aptitude and the ability to make sound decisions.
• Ability to perform well in a team environment working with little supervision to prioritize daily work schedules depending on operational requirements.
• Any combination equivalent to education and experience that provides the required knowledge and skills is qualifying.

Physical Requirements

Work is performed at ground level and at heights on concrete, metal grating, gravel, asphalt and piping surfaces, while climbing over 75 feet, lifting 40 pounds plus, carrying 1-50 pounds, pushing/pulling up to 60 pounds and working in confined spaces, wearing proper safety equipment, including a self-contained breathing apparatus as necessary, use hand tools, and work both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions.

Application Process

If you like working in an industrial process environment, have the above qualifications, and want a challenging opportunity, online applications will be accepted until Monday, November 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST.

• No phone calls, please.
• All candidates must apply online, and Human Resources cannot accept paper resumes.
• No paper applications will be distributed or accepted -- all candidates must apply online.

• After application, there should be an invite that will be sent via e-mail to complete an assessment from HireScore ().
• The hiring process will take several weeks following the job posting closing date due to the volume of applications typically received as well as the interview and testing process. The anticipated training start date is March 29, 2027.
• As an energy industry leader, our career opportunities fuel personal and professional growth.

• Location: St Paul Park, Minnesota
• Job Requisition ID: 00025108
• Pay Min/Max: $0.00 - $999.99 Hourly
• Grade: HRLY1
• Location Address: 301 Saint Paul Park Rd

Education

Employee Group: Full time