Lease Operator - Natural Gas Pumper

Riverside Energy Michigan, LLC
Gaylord, MI

Job Description

Job Description

Description: Riverside Operating , a subsidiary of Riverside Energy Michigan, is the leading natural gas producer for the state of Michigan, producing over 50%. With over 230 employees, Riverside operates over 5,000 wells.
We are currently hiring for Lease Operator (Natural Gas Pumper) - our field of natural gas operations runs in Michigan, Indiana, and Texas. We're hiring in our Michigan location. Our coverage area is across Northern MI, for example: Manistee, Gaylord, Bellaire, Alba, Elmira, Kalkaska, Grayling, Johannesburg, Hillman, Alpena, Lachine, Atlanta, Lewiston, Frederic, Comins, Vanderbilt).

We have an awesome, hard working, cooperative team, so whoever joins needs to match that! Jump in with positive attitude and be ready to learn and grow! While Riverside prefers a Lease Operator have 1+ years oil/gas industry experience, we will train the right candidate.

This is a W2, 40+ hour position , offering competitive wages and benefits package . Working independently in our field of operations across Northern Michigan, our Lease Operators are provided a company vehicle (Riverside pays for gas, repairs and maintenance), company iPhone, basic tool set, and company iPad.

Benefits:

  • Hourly Rate: $18 to $27 per hour, based on experience and demonstrated skill set
  • Employer paid : Retirement matching; Employee Assistance Program; Insurances: Life ($25k), AD&D, Short Term Disability; Holiday/Sick/Vacation/Bereavement/Jury paid leave
  • Employee paid (voluntary) : 401k/Roth; Insurances: Medical (3 plans – Employer pays 65% to 100% of monthly premium); Dental (2 plans); Vision; Life (term and whole); AD Long Term Disability; Critical Illness; Spending Accounts FSA, HSA, DC FSA; Legal Shield and/or ID Shield
  • Potential discretionary bonuses and merit increases (performance based)

Reports to: Operations Supervisor & Field Foreman; provided with hands-on mentors

The Lease Operator is responsible for monitoring and reporting on natural gas production and other pertinent well information and provides maintenance on production equipment. The position applies basic and some advanced skills to perform routine and complex operations using tools and equipment appropriate for the energy industry. Once trained, the position requires application of what has been learned and an understanding of required tasks; knowing the technical concepts, practices, and procedures; and following industry standards and government regulations related to the oil and gas industry.

This is physical, outdoor work, year-round, regardless of the weather conditions. Frequent use of tools and equipment associated with care of units, leases, boosters, lifts, valves. Any specialty tools specific to work requirements will be provided by Riverside.

Essential Functions (note, this is not an all inclusive list of all job duties):

  • Perform work in a manner that ensures the secure and environmentally safe operation of all wells and leases
  • Gauge production on assigned wells and report gauge readings, downtime and other pertinent well information (2x/day) - it is imperative that all well activities, visual inspections, meter readings have accurate documentation
  • Note problems and/or recommend course of actions to supervisor in order to decrease costs and increase production
  • Perform lease maintenance such as minor surface pump and production equipment repairs and adjustments; trim weeds, clean up trash, etc.; grease equipment, service lease equipment, etc.
  • Conduct other task as required or which are unique to the assigned geographic area - for instance, snow removal, weed whipping, driving a snow mobile or ATV, operating various types of equipment required to perform duties
  • Use hand tools, shovels, rakes, pipe cutters, cutting torch, pipe threader, winch and other oilfield equipment as applicable.
  • Assist in witnessing meter calibrations; monitor rates and pressures on injection and disposal wells; make necessary adjustments; monitor chemical use; and test safety systems daily to maximize daily production
  • Assist with down hole pump changes, tubing replacement, etc. on artificially lifted wells; assist with pump and compressor maintenance such as oil changes, obtaining oil sample for analysis, pulling compressor valves, tests and repairs
  • Responsibly drive company issued vehicle, approximately 150 miles per day.
  • This position requires on-the-job training (well operation, maintenance work, operating procedures) plus Riverside's monthly specialized safety training; CPR, Chemical, H2S, Confined Space, Defensive Driving, etc.

Requirements

  • Strong ethics and reliable attendance
  • Must be self-motivated to consistently maintain facilities and flexible to perform discrete project goals safely and in a timely fashion.
  • Agreeable to be on call-out rotations; respond to emergency maintenance calls; travel is only within northern Michigan
  • Must be able to pass pre-employment screenings: background, Motor Vehicle Record (last 7 years), drug, and physical; able to pass ongoing drug screenings (post incident, randoms, and probable cause)
  • MUST have valid chauffeur driver license (can obtain post offer)
  • Must have technology and computer skills; ability to be proficient in using Microsoft Outlook; ability to utilize iPhone or iPad apps

Requirements:

Physical / Exposure:

  • Rare-to-frequent exposure to dampness, noise, dust, radiation, heights, fumes, winds, ice, chemicals, escaping gas, H2S, adverse/extreme weather conditions (hot and cold), cramped conditions
  • Riverside trains for confined space, hazmat and lock out tag out
  • Assistance provided via crane or co-workers for large/heavy items
  • Need manual and finger dexterity; hand/grip strength; depth perception
  • Safety equipment - this is a safety sensitive position; proper PPE is required
  • Outdoors 90% (Northern Michigan weather conditions)
  • Physicality can vary day to day - Standing 40%; Walking 40%; Driving/Sitting 20%; frequent squatting/kneeling/climbing ; lift/carry/push/pull 0-50lbs frequently; occasional 75-100lb lift/carry/push/pull ; frequently reach above/at/below shoulder Any other physical requirements that allow the employee to perform the job safely according to all company, local, state and federal regulations and requirements as applicable.

Personal Protective Equipment: this is a safety sensitive position, therefor proper PPE is required at all times. Riverside provides the following safety equipment is to be worn on the job, dependent on the duties and location

  • Riverside provides: goggles / face shields / safety glasses (Riverside pays annual stipend for prescription safety glasses, with discounts at preferred vendors); hard hats; snowmobile helmets; Tyvek suits; respirators; slicker suit; H2S monitors; fall protection / safety harnesses; hearing protection (ear plugs)
  • Employee provides: safety toed boots (Riverside pays annual stipend); work gloves; flame resistant clothing (Riverside provides at least 3 shirts and 3 pants)

Schedule: 10 & 4 schedule (Tuesday through Thursday); schedule could change based on operational needs and position - at least 40 hours per week

On Call shifts : of the 10 days on, 8 will be on-call from 4:30 pm to 7:30 am

Meals: Unpaid 30 minutes, generally taken between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm, or when most appropriate and safely to do so

Posted 2026-08-08

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