A professional who operates steam- or electric-driven pumps to circulate crude, semiprocessed, and finished petroleum products, water, and chemical solutions through processing, storage, and shipping departments of refinery, according to work orders. Respnsibilities include:

• Starts pumps in specified units, observes flowmeters and pressure meters, and turns valves and switches to change pumping rates, as directed by pumper.
• Turns handwheels to open or close tank and pipeline valves to direct flow of products to specified destinations.
• Observes operation of pumping equipment to detect malfunctioning and leakage.
• Lubricates cocks, valves, joints, and pumps, using oilcan and grease gun.
• Tightens bolts and screws to adjust and repair equipment, using handtools.
• Gauges contents of tank, using gauging tape.
• May record operating data, such as products and quantities pumped, stocks used, gauging results, and operating time.
• May remove sample from tank and test it for specific gravity and color.
• May repair and overhaul pumps.
• May blend oils or gasolines.
• May communicate with pumper by radio or telephone to send and receive pumping and gauging information.
• May be designated according to specialty as Cooling-Tower Operator.