Chief Inspector

POSITION SUMMARY

This advanced-level position provides technical leadership, coordination, and execution of the Refinery Fixed Equipment Mechanical Integrity (FEMI) Program. The role is responsible for ensuring the integrity, reliability, and regulatory compliance of fixed equipment assets, including pressure vessels, piping systems, fired heaters, heat exchangers, and atmospheric and pressurized storage tanks.

Operating with minimal supervision, the position applies advanced expertise in inspection engineering, damage mechanisms, risk-based inspection methodologies, and refinery processes to support safe, reliable, and efficient operations. The role is critical to maintaining compliance with Process Safety Management (PSM) requirements, applicable industry standards, and corporate mechanical integrity expectations, while driving continuous improvement in asset integrity and operational reliability.

• Key responsibilities include leading the development, implementation, governance, and continuous improvement of Site and Corporate Mechanical Integrity Programs. The position serves as the technical authority for fixed equipment mechanical integrity matters and provides leadership and direction for inspection activities, repair strategies, and long-term asset reliability initiatives.
• The role ensures Mechanical Integrity Programs, Site Engineering Practices (SEP), and Plant Condition Monitoring Programs are fully integrated with PSM requirements and aligned with industry best practices. Responsibilities also include developing standards, procedures, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and improve program effectiveness.
• This position acts as the primary liaison between Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, HSE, and Corporate PSM teams on all fixed equipment mechanical integrity matters. The role collaborates closely with site leadership and regulatory stakeholders to ensure compliance with applicable API, OSHA, ASME, ANSI, state, federal, local, and insurance requirements.
• Additional responsibilities include supporting predictive and preventive maintenance strategies, leading training initiatives for inspection and maintenance personnel, assisting with capital projects and major repairs, overseeing refinery turnaround inspection activities, and communicating program performance, risks, and improvement opportunities to refinery leadership and stakeholders.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or GED equivalent required
• Bachelor of Science Mechanical Engineering or equivalent technical training preferred
• Must hold current API 510, 570 and 653
• Additional Supplemental 571 and 580 Certifications desirable

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 15 years of relevant refinery or industrial experience required

• 10+ years in fixed equipment mechanical inspections required
• Thorough understanding and working knowledge of refinery maintenance procedures, including safety procedures involving repair and maintenance of equipment
• Working knowledge of API Standards and ASME, ANSI Codes, PCMS Asset Management Programs
• Must be able to understand and oversee NDT tasks: UTT, PT, MT, VT, able to perform Radiographic Film Interpretation
• Must be able to perform Inspections on Piping, Pressure Vessels, Fired Heaters, Boilers, and Tanks
• Must be able to work in a plant environment involving climbing, elevated work, confined space entry, etc.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical blueprints, P&IDs, PFDs, Piping ISOs
• Familiarity with PCMS or similar database
• Ability to adjust schedule to meet business demands and address unexpected issues
• History of supervising other Inspectors and directing contract inspection activities
• Fluent in English, oral and written required

• Coordinate the daily activities of Company and contract inspectors
• Review inspection reports and approve repair recommendations of pressure equipment and piping
• Review and approval of Turnaround work scope, ITPs and workforce headcount
• Monitor all Inspection Department initiatives to ensure that all contractors and employees are performing all job duties correctly to ensure that all work is progressing correctly and that completion date schedules are met
• Document and file data as required by governmental regulations and as requested, provide documentation on equipment history, UTT baseline readings and material identification, including PMI on equipment and piping, etc.
• Develop QA/QC procedures (e.g., valve repair, welding procedure specifications). Ensure testing of all welders and monitor performance. Maintain current and ongoing records of welders. Ensure all welds meet minimum code requirements

• Prepare contracts with NDE/NDT and mechanical inspection companies, manage projects to completion
• Lead and direct the department Inspectors, establish Inspectors yearly goals, and perform performance appraisals

• Assess all vendor fabrication shops and perform follow-up reviews with vendors to ensure successful completion of projects. Document any resulting events that may increase project/contract costs or unplanned schedule delay
• Review and interpret all Radiography of welds as required by code and MI Practices

• As needed, prepare Oral and Digital presentations and written reports

• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills with strong and detailed analytical skills to regularly communicate with Plant Manager and Stakeholders of progress, roadblocks, bottlenecks, and concerns
• Solve problems and resolve conflicts effectively, demonstrating leadership and working productively in a cross functional team
• Organizational skills and ability to prioritize work, develop appropriate times lines, and work to deadlines
• Self-starter with influencing, negotiating, and diplomacy skills

EXPECTED RESULTS

• Ensure the safe and reliable operation of refinery fixed equipment through effective inspection, assessment, and repair oversight
• Minimize unplanned downtime by proactively identifying degradation mechanisms and expediting repair and replacement activities
• Improve refinery reliability and reduce the risk of equipment and piping failures
• Ensure material compatibility and welding quality to prevent failures associated with improper material selection or fabrication practices
• Deliver high-quality, timely results in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Foster effective communication and collaboration across Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Technical Services, HR, and contractor organizations
• Develop and strengthen the technical capabilities and career progression of Inspection personnel
• Demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness to changing business and operational needs
• Champion continuous improvement, positive change, safety leadership, inclusion, and sustainable reliability practices
• Maintain full compliance with company policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory standards

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and may occasionally be required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work near potentially volatile and combustible materials and chemicals in normal course of work. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.