Petroleum Inspector

JOB SUMMARY

A petroleum inspector is a professional who is responsible for inspecting and monitoring the quantity and quality of petroleum products throughout the various stages of production, storage, transportation, and distribution. 

Inspectors use industry standards, regulations, and specifications to measure, sample and document their inspections. Their primary job is to physically take measurements, temperatures, and samples of bulk movements of petroleum products between suppliers and trading partners.  Inspections are primarily performed on shore-based storage tanks, typically 50-60 feet tall and marine vessels and barges.  These measurements result in documentation that is used for the sale or exchange of bulk petroleum between the interested parties.  In Hawaii, the major players include Island Energy, Hawaiian Electric, PAR Hawaii as well as several other global companies. A typical bulk transfer can easily exceed 1 million gallons at a time.  Some tankers discharge over a million barrels (42 million gallons).  Products typically inspected are; Crude Oils, Fuel Oil, Diesel, Gasoline, Naphtha, Jet Fuel, Asphalt, as well as other refined components.

This is an entry level position where the Company will provide all the training necessary to teach a strong understanding of petroleum products, safety procedures and industry regulations. A potential inspector must have excellent communication skills to report their findings to clients, suppliers, and other stakeholders in an extremely timely manner.

The services that a Petroleum inspectors provides to the industry are for Oil Producers, Suppliers and Public Utility companies that operate 24/7.  An Inspectors schedule includes working nights, weekends, and holidays. Inspectors are guaranteed 40-hours of pay per week regardless of hours worked.  They are then paid an additional hourly rate for every actual hour worked, up to 40.  Over 40 hours, standard Hawaii overtime rate of 1.5x per hour applies. An inspector can expect to make between 48-55K there first year.  The company uses a combination of performance and tenure based raises as the inspector advances through the training process and becomes a fully trained inspector able to perform any inspection nominated.

The schedule for a petroleum inspector is extremely demanding and requires flexibility, but it can also be rewarding for those who enjoy working in a fast-paced environment.  There is lots of time off between jobs which allows for many of the personal appointments that normal office people need to request time off.

Hawaii's petroleum consumption is relatively high compared to other US states, due in part to its isolated location and lack of domestic energy resources. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), Hawaii's total petroleum consumption in 2020 was approximately 160,000 barrels per day (b/d), which includes gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, residual fuel oil, and other petroleum products.

The transportation sector is the largest consumer of petroleum in Hawaii, accounting for about 80% of total petroleum consumption in the state. This is largely due to the high number of vehicles on the road and the fact that air and sea transportation are the primary modes of transportation for people and goods to and from the state.

Hawaii has taken steps to reduce its dependence on petroleum and increase the use of renewable energy sources. The state has set a goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2045 and has implemented policies to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and the development of renewable energy infrastructure. However, given its current energy demands and infrastructure, petroleum is likely to remain a significant energy source for Hawaii in the near term.

Applicants must currently reside on Oahu.  Relocation assistance is not available.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES (Other duties may be assigned)

·       Receives and reviews job orders, instructions, files and related information prior to deployment.  Prepares all equipment and sampling containers before deployment, including calibration checks on thermometers.

·      Reports to job-sites punctually and observes all Terminal and/or Vessel requirements including safety rules.

·       Physically measures, samples and takes temperatures of shore tanks and/or vessel’s tanks promptly and accurately. 

·       Labels sample containers with full and correct identifying data, including location of sample, material, type of sample and date/time sample was obtained.

·       Delivers samples to client facilities for analysis and/or returns them to the main office for retain or shipment.

·       Calculates and reports quantities transferred to customers and office personnel, utilizing Company provided forms in a timely manner.  Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Excel and Outlook required.

·       Individual must be dependable and reliable.  Must maintain a 24-hour on-call status

·       Individual must adhere to the highest standards of company ethics policy:

The Company will report all findings and data accurately and honestly and otherwise ensure the integrity of all information reported by the Company.  No Quantity or Quality determination will be published unless traceable to a documented finding or professional judgment within industry standards.

This is not just a Policy Statement.  This is the core business philosophy of the Company.  We believe that ethical business behavior is essential to the commercial success of any independent inspection company.  Therefore, we do not believe that there is any logical or intelligent alternative to conducting business in an honest and ethical manner.

REQUIREMENTS

·       High School diploma or equivalent

·       Valid U.S. Driver’s License

·       Federal TWIC Card (Transportation Workers Identification Credential) or be eligible to obtain a TWIC card as a provision of job offer.

·     All required licenses and vehicle documentation must be maintained in an active status without suspension or revocation throughout employment. This includes vehicle insurance, registration and state safety check

·      Computer literate: Proficient in Microsoft Windows, Excel and Outlook.

·       Mathematical skills: ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.

·       Must have the flexibility to be able to work in an unpredictable 24 / 7 / 365 schedule.

·       We are a Drug Free work environment. Successful applicants must pass an initial Drug Screening and all employees are subject to Random and For Cause Screenings.

 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The working environment and physical demands described here are representative, but not necessarily all-inclusive, of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Job conditions require standing, walking, sitting, twisting, stooping, crouching, kneeling, talking or hearing, making visual inspections, lifting and/or carrying up to 50 lbs, climbing up to 80 feet, perceiving color difference, ability to wear personal protective equipment including respirators (beards are not permitted), and strenuous physical activity. The worker is frequently in close quarters, crawl spaces, shafts and small enclosed rooms that could cause claustrophobia.

Work occurs outdoors during all weather conditions (rain, heat, day and nighttime)

SCHEDULE

The work schedule is extremely irregular and unpredictable. There are no set hours, no regularly scheduled workdays and no regularly scheduled days off. Work occurs at all hours of the day and night, including weekends and holidays.

Inspectors must have a flexible personal schedule and be able to work extended and abnormal hours.  Jobs are dispatched to inspectors as the work is assigned to the Company.  Scheduling is based on Inspectors qualifications and balancing the workload among all qualified inspectors.

Some deployments involve traveling to the neighboring islands (Maui, Hawaii, Kauai, Molokai) and are typically one day deployments but can extend overnight and occasionally to multi-day deployments.

COMPENSATION

The compensation is a combination of a base salary, additional hourly pay and overtime.  Company maintains an advancement program based on qualification targets as well as tenure.

Estimated first year earnings ~$55-65k. 

Senior inspectors with several years’ experience can earn 80k+.

BENEFITS

Medical Insurance for employee

Dental Insurance for employee

Vision Insurance for employee

401K Safe Harbor Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Auto Allowance

No calls and no walk-ins please.

ABOUT US:

Petrospect, Inc. is an independent petroleum inspection company based in Honolulu, Hawaii.  We have been providing inspection services in Hawaii since 1985.

Petrospect conducts independent inspection, documentation and reconciliation of marine transfers of crude oils and petroleum products.  Additional services include bunker deliveries, on-hire / off-hire surveys, pipeline transfers, cargo sampling, quality control and loss control.

Our reports provide comprehensive, concise accounting and reconciliation of movements, which are issued in a timely fashion.  Inspections are carried out and documented in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the API Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards and current industry practices.

All of our personnel are highly trained, experienced, conscientious and courteous professionals. Management personnel oversee every job and conduct a thorough technical review of every report before issuance.

We are committed to providing the highest level of professional service, to remain responsive to our clients needs and to ensure accuracy and integrity in every assignment.

AGENCIES and ORGANIZATIONS
Bonded, U.S. Customs and Border Protection approved Commercial approved to gauge petroleum products (HTSUS Chapters 27 and 29) with the provisions of 19 CFR 151.12 and 19 CFR 151.13
American Petroleum Institute (API)
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)