ISBL Field Operator
Next Decade
Brownsville, TX, USA
Posted on Nov 18, 2025
ABOUT NEXTDECADE CORPORATION
NextDecade is committed to providing the world access to reliable, lower-carbon energy. We are focused on delivering secure and cost-effective energy through the safe and efficient development and operation of natural gas liquefaction capacity at Rio Grande LNG. Through our subsidiaries, we are developing and constructing the Rio Grande LNG natural gas liquefaction and export facility near Brownsville, Texas, with approximately 48 MTPA of potential liquefaction capacity currently under construction or in development, sufficient space at the site for up to 10 liquefaction trains, and a potential carbon capture and storage project. NextDecade’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “NEXT.” NextDecade is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, please visit www.next-decade.com.
SUMMARY OF THE ROLE
The ISBL Field Operator ensures the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the RGLNG facility. This role is primarily field-based and involves conducting routine checks, monitoring equipment, supporting maintenance, and assisting internal and external support teams. The operator must be competent in starting, stopping, isolating, and troubleshooting process equipment while maintaining strong awareness of plant processes within the Pre-Treatment and Liquefaction areas of an LNG facility.
Th position requires daily interaction with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, HSSE, contractors, and vendors. Strong communication, safety awareness, and leadership skills are essential. Check out our RGV Spotlight Video to learn more about Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley! Relocation assistance will be provided to eligible candidates.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Understand and apply RGLNG HSSE standards, Life Saving Rules, and Process Safety Fundamentals.
- Monitor operational units—including Pre-Treatment, Liquefaction, Utilities, Storage, and Loading—to ensure stable, safe operation, report and correct deviations.
- Execute field tasks to support safe production targets (Start-of-Shift Orientation, shift huddles, toolbox talks).
- Maintain accurate shift logs; communicate effectively with incoming and outgoing Field Operators and the Field Supervisor.
- Support safe and compliant start-up, operation, and shutdown of assigned units; recommend adjustments to procedures as needed.
- Perform system and equipment isolation, permitting tasks, and preparation of unit-specific documentation for maintenance.
- Participate in and respond to emergency situations as an Emergency Response Team Member; support ongoing ERT drills and training.
- Lead or support Turnaround events, breakdown activities, mini-outages, campaign maintenance, and improvement projects.
- Conduct field testing and collect process samples as scheduled or directed.
- Create, review, and validate high-quality work orders.
- Maintain good housekeeping, professional conduct, and proper care of plant assets.
- Manage consumable materials and ensure adequate availability.
- Support continuous improvement efforts during Commissioning, Start-up, and Ramp-up phases.
- Apply troubleshooting skills to resolve operational issues safely and effectively.
MINUMUM REQUIREMENTS
- High school diploma or GED.
- 3+ years of field experience in LNG operations.
- 5+ years of field experience in gas treatment, compressor stations, petrochemicals, or LNG operations (combined experience acceptable).
- LNG or Gas Processing commissioning and start-up experience (Petrochemical commissioning/start-up considered).
- 1+ year of APCI process experience.
- Knowledge of gas pretreatment, liquefaction systems, turbine-driven refrigerant compressors, and associated field operations.
- Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, PFDs, control narratives, Cause & Effect Matrices, OMMs, and equipment schematics.
- Demonstrated commitment to personal, team, and process safety.
- Ability to work outdoors in changing weather conditions and perform essential physical duties, including wearing required PPE.
- This position requires the candidate to reside within a 50-mile radius of the facility in Brownsville, TX, as commuting is not an option. Relocation assistance will be provided to eligible candidates.
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS
- Experience working on large-scale LNG projects.
- Strong background supporting maintenance operations and field troubleshooting.
- Familiarity with LNG ship-loading operations, storage tank systems, and utilities.
- Previous Emergency Response Team participation or relevant training.
- Vendor, contractor, or multidisciplinary interface experience.
Work Environment & Physical Demands (with or without reasonable accommodations)
- Operates in a complex construction and industrial environment
- Work is performed both indoors and outdoors, often under challenging weather conditions for extended periods.
- Must be able to wear all mandatory PPE required to perform job functions safely
- Must be physically capable of moving throughout all areas of the facility and reaching designated muster point during emergency situations.
- Must be able to clearly communicate in English – verbally, via radio, and by phone.
- Regular exposure to indoor and outdoor weather conditions, including hot, cold, wet, humid, and windy environments.
- Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds unassisted and push/pull with up to 50 pounds of force.
- Required to grip objects with up to 50 pounds of force.
- Frequent standing, walking, and balancing, including climbing stairs and ladders.
- Regular reaching, bending, stooping, handling, and spinal twisting.
- Use of hands, arms, and legs to lift, push, and pull machinery and mechanical components.
Job Site Work Environment
· Must be able to wear all necessary PPE equipment to perform job functions.
· Operates in a complex construction environment.
· Exposure to indoor and outdoor weather conditions.
· Not necessarily protected from weather and temperature changes. Possible exposure to hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy weather conditions.
· Exposure to moving mechanical parts and electrical circuits.
· Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds of a pitch level sufficient to cause marked distraction.
· Routinely uses standard office and field communications equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers w/scanner and fax, and radios.
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 accommodations may be made to support individuals with ADA-recognized disabilities to perform the essential functions for the job.
· Ability to drive to other Company work locations as required.
· Ability to move throughout all areas of the facility, including being physically capable of traveling to a designed muster point during emergency situations.
· Stand and/or sit continuously and perform job functions for a full shift.
· The incumbent is required to have fully mechanical motion and usage of all extremities.
· Physically able to walk, stand, bend, stoop, kneel, reach, twist, lift, push, pull, climb, balance, crouch, handle, and lift items weighing up to 20 lbs. without assistance.
· Visual acuity corrected to perform job functions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
· Must be able to clearly communicate with others via radio, phone, and verbal methods.
· May be required to enter confined spaces.
· May be required to work at elevated heights and access elevated structures without assistance.
If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at recruiting@next-decade.com.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
*In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
NEXTDECADE VALUES
· Safety – We make safety a priority. Everything we do relies on the safety of our people and the communities around us.
· Integrity – We do the right thing, and are open, ethical, and fair. We hold ourselves to the highest standards in all that we do.
· Honesty – We value truth and honesty in ourselves and others. We honor our commitments and take responsibility for our actions.
· Respect – We listen, and respect people, the environment, and the communities in which we live and work.
· Transparency – Transparency builds trust. We promote open communication with our people, our customers, and all our stakeholders.
· Diversity – We value diversity of experiences and thoughts. It takes people with different strengths and backgrounds to make our company succeed.
NextDecade provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. NextDecade complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.