Operations Training Lead (Finance)

Job Overview: The HYCO plant at Whiting production facility requires a Day Trainer to develop the technical skills, safety awareness, and operational competence of plant personnel. Given the complexity of HYCO plant equipment and processes, such as steam methane reforming (SMR), CO trailer loading, CO2 plant, Liquid Hydrogen trailer loading, and PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption), a well-trained staff is essential to ensure safety, reliability, and efficiency. This report outlines the role, objectives, key training areas, assessment methods, safety protocols, and the frequency of safety drills for the Day Trainer position. Role of the Day Trainer: The Day Trainer will play a critical role in equipping team members with the necessary fundamental tools. They will work a five-day, 10-hour shift fostering a reliable training program that benefits both senior and new operators with on-the-job training for tasks associated with their inside/outside daily tasks. Additionally, this role may require supporting "regular" operator duties, including vacation coverage, filling in during plant vacancies, and assisting with TARs (turnarounds), startups, and other operational assignments as needed. Primary Responsibilities: - Operator Training and Development- Train operators on the safe and efficient operation of HYCO plant equipment. - Conduct practical and theoretical sessions on process flows, safety standards, and normal/emergency operations. - Plant-Specific Knowledge Transfer- Share knowledge about HYCO production processes. - Teach process-critical chemistry and impacts of contaminants on catalysts and equipment. - Safety and Risk Awareness- Lead safety drills and teach risk identification and mitigation. - Emphasize compliance with OSHA regulations and company safety protocols. - Real-Time Support- Provide operational guidance during live plant operations, startups, shutdowns, and troubleshooting. - Assessment and Certification- Evaluate trainee competency through tests, practical evaluations, and performance reviews. - Maintain records for operator certifications. - Support Continuous Improvement- Identify knowledge gaps and training needs. - Develop training programs aligned with the latest HYCO plant practices. - Operational Coverage Support- Step in to perform regular operator duties during vacations, vacancies, TARs, startups, and other plant-specific operational needs as required. Objectives of the Day Trainer - Ensure Safe Operations- Train operators to identify hazardous conditions and adhere to safety protocols. - Facilitate emergency response drills. - Build Workforce Competence- Ensure operators understand process flows and critical equipment roles. - Train staff to perform routine tasks and proper documentation. - Facilitate Efficient Operations- Emphasize operating within design parameters to optimize energy use and process efficiency. - Mitigate Downtime and Ensure Reliability- Teach trainees to monitor critical equipment and conduct efficient start-up and shutdown procedures. - Support Knowledge Continuity- Develop and maintain updated training materials. - Focus on cross-training programs for multi-discipline skill development. - Encourage a Safety-First Culture- Ingrain a culture where safety is prioritized. - Teach "Stop Work Authority" and root cause analysis for near misses and incidents. Key Training Areas: - Core Process Understanding- Fundamentals of hydrogen and carbon monoxide production. - Importance of catalyst performance and operating temperatures. - Equipment Operations- Reformer and furnace operations. - PSA purification cycle steps. - Safety Protocols- Handling hazardous gases and managing explosion risks. - Proper response to alarms and contamination. - Troubleshooting- Addressing fouling, catalyst damage, and performance losses. - Emergency Preparedness- Managing fire or explosion risks. - Handling accidental toxic gas releases. - Data Analysis and Reporting- Monitoring process trends and accurate logbook maintenance. Assessment and Certification Methods - Tests and Quizzes: Knowledge verification quizzes and written tests. - Practical Evaluations: Hands-on assessments, live simulations, and performance reviews. - Performance Reviews: Regular reviews to track competency progression. - Certification Records: Maintaining up-to-date records for operator certifications. - Continuous Improvement: Identifying knowledge gaps and developing training programs. Practical Evaluations - Routine Task Performance: Monitoring process KPIs, equipment checks. - Emergency Response Simulations: Gas leak drills, fire drills. - Start-Up and Shutdown Procedures: Evaluations of start-up/shutdown processes. - Troubleshooting Scenarios: Addressing catalyst deactivation, PSA performance loss. - Operational Guidance: Real-time support evaluations. - Documentation and Reporting: Logbook maintenance, incident reporting. Safety Protocols - Hazard Identification and Mitigation: Gas leak detection, high-temperature zones. - Emergency Response Drills: Fire drills, toxic gas release scenarios. - Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Protocols: Electrical/mechanical isolation. - Compliance with OSHA Regulations: Adherence to safety standards. - Risk Assessment and Management: Identifying/mitigating risks. - Stop Work Authority: Exercising authority to halt operations in unsafe conditions. - Root Cause Analysis: Conducting incident investigations. - Proper Handling of Hazardous Materials: Safe handling/storage of hazardous gases. - Alarm Response: Responding to high/low-pressure alarms. - Documentation and Reporting: Incident reporting/logbook maintenance. Frequency of Safety Drills - Monthly Drills: Fire drills, gas leak drills. - Quarterly Drills: Emergency response drills, LOTO drills. - Annual Drills: Full-scale emergency drills, evacuation drills. - Ad-Hoc Drills: Incident-specific drills, regulatory compliance drills. - Ongoing Training: Safety briefings, on-the-job training. Key Metrics for Evaluating Effectiveness - Competency Improvement: Progression through skill levels. - Reduction in Errors: Decrease in process upsets/compliance violations. - Performance Metrics: Ability to monitor/optimize key process parameters. - Incident Reduction: Lower frequency of incidents/near misses. - Knowledge Retention: Strong grasp of concepts during assessments/real-time applications. Conclusion The Day Trainer's work is vital for the HYCO plant's safety, efficiency, and sustainability. By empowering operators with the knowledge and skills to operate critical industrial processes effectively, the Day Trainer will contribute to building a reliable, resilient workforce capable of running the plant under both normal and adverse conditions. Supporting the implementation of the Day Trainer program will enhance plant operations, ensure long-term benefits for the company, and provide backup support for regular operator duties, such as vacation coverage, TARs, startups, and other operational needs. At Linde, we strive to create a work environment that treats all employees with respect, supports new thoughts and ideas, encourages growth and development, celebrates our differences, and embraces inclusion. Linde is committed to remaining an employer of choice for the diverse, ever-increasing pool of global talent. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other reason prohibited by applicable law. Pay commensurate with experience.