William Sisco, Refinery Operator / Environmental Specialist, Petro Star

He has been chased by bears and been very very cold, but he has loved every minute of it.

William Sisco says, “The work is hard and the hours are long but the job is rewarding in all sorts of ways, from the salary to the glory of an Alaskan sunset and the Northern Lights.”

How do you become a refinery operator / environmental specialist?

Sisco began his career in the oil business as an environmental consultant for various companies, Petro Star was one of his clients. After rewriting, among other things, their spill contingency plans, he was offered the opportunity to work for the company directly as a refinery operator, while continuing to provide the environmental consulting they needed.

What training do refinery operators and environmental specialists need?

Aside from a university degree, Sisco has attended many training courses that have increased his usefulness as an employee. He has a BSc in earth and environmental sciences from Alaska Pacific University, 15 years’ experience in the environmental field and 11 years operating and maintaining two oil refineries.

His training also includes HAZMAT certification, first aid, HAZWOPER, confined-space heavy-equipment operating, instrument trouble shooting, pump rebuilding and anything else that the refinery needs in order to keep it running through any operating condition. The weather in Alaska spans from 90°F to -60°F and the show has to go on regardless.

What is the routine like?

Sisco’s regular schedule is one week on, one week off, working 12-hour days.

He says, “I have difficulty imagining working business nine-to-five hours as I wouldn’t know how to conduct all my personal business during lunch breaks and the weekends. As I get older I don’t like the night shift as much as I once did. My schedule rotates from days to nights every month and it never seems to get any easier to make the transition.”

What advice could you give?

Bill says that the best advice he could give graduates intending to pursue a career like his would be to work hard and make contacts with people who work in the field that you would like to work in.

He says “I was very fortunate to be asked to work as a refinery operator, but I had already proved that I could provide valuable services, on time and in a friendly manner. Likewise, I know welders, carpenters, and even bartenders who were given the opportunity to work in this field for the same reasons.”