Mitch Rodriguez
Antioch,CA
Summary
Refinery Operator specializing in Utilities, Hydrogen, and Cogeneration operations supporting large-scale refinery production. Extensive experience operating steam systems, boilers, hydrogen distribution networks, and cogeneration power equipment while maintaining safe process conditions through DCS and field controls. Demonstrated mechanical expertise operating pumps, compressors, turbines, and industrial process equipment. Known for strong situational awareness, operational reliability, and strict adherence to PSM safety standards in high-risk refinery environments.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Utilities | Hydrogen | Cogeneration Operator
Valero Energy Inc.
03.2023 - Current
- Operated critical refinery utility infrastructure, including high-pressure steam systems, boilers, condensate recovery systems, hydrogen production units, and cogeneration power generation equipment supporting continuous refinery operations.
- Monitored and adjusted process variables (pressure, temperature, flow, level) through Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and field instrumentation to maintain safe and stable operations.
- Started, stopped, and operated rotating equipment including centrifugal pumps, compressors, gas turbines, and auxiliary equipment supporting refinery utilities and hydrogen distribution systems.
- Conducted routine field rounds and equipment inspections, monitoring piping systems, pressure vessels, heat exchangers, valves, and rotating equipment to identify abnormal operating conditions.
- Performed equipment line-ups, valve alignments, and system isolations to support operational adjustments, maintenance work, and unit startups/shutdowns.
- Assisted maintenance teams with lockout/tagout (LOTO), equipment clearing, confined space preparation, and permit coordination to ensure safe mechanical work.
- Utilized hand tools, power tools, and mechanical equipment to assist with troubleshooting, minor repairs, and operational adjustments in field environments.
- Maintained reliable hydrogen supply to hydroprocessing units, supporting refinery product quality and operational efficiency.
- Controlled cogeneration systems including gas turbines and heat recovery steam generators (HRSG) to balance refinery steam demand and electrical power generation.
- Responded to process alarms, upsets, and abnormal operating conditions, executing corrective actions to stabilize operations and protect personnel and equipment.
- Maintained shift logs, operational reports, and process documentation to ensure accurate communication between operating crews.
- Operated in strict compliance with OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM), refinery operating procedures, and environmental regulations.
- Participated in safety meetings, job safety analyses (JSA), and hazard recognition programs, supporting a strong refinery safety
- Demonstrated strong mechanical aptitude operating and troubleshooting pumps, compressors, turbines, valves, and pressure systems in an industrial refinery environment.
- Performed manual valve operations, pump swaps, equipment start-ups, and field adjustments to maintain stable process operations.
- Assisted with equipment maintenance preparation including line breaking, system isolation, and equipment clearing during refinery maintenance activities.
- Conducted preventative inspections and condition monitoring on rotating and static equipment to support refinery reliability and uptime.
Service Manager I | Supervisor | Admin Spec IV
Kaiser Permanente
02.2006 - 03.2023
- Progressively promoted within one of the nation’s largest integrated healthcare systems, supporting clinical operations, patient services, and administrative leadership across high-volume healthcare environments.
- Advanced through multiple progressive roles spanning clinical support, administrative operations, and leadership, demonstrating strong operational knowledge and leadership capability within a major healthcare organization.
- Supported daily clinic operations, patient services, and administrative workflows in fast-paced outpatient environments while maintaining high standards for patient care and service delivery.
- Supervised and coached frontline staff responsible for patient intake, scheduling, registration, and clinic coordination, ensuring efficient patient flow and adherence to service standards.
- Partnered with physicians, nurses, and department leadership to coordinate clinical workflows and operational initiatives that improved clinic efficiency and patient experience.
- Assisted in managing high-volume patient scheduling, referrals, and care coordination, ensuring timely access to care and accurate documentation.
- Performed clinical support functions including patient intake, vital signs collection, EKGs, injections, specimen collection, and exam room preparation while supporting providers during patient visits.
- Maintained accurate and compliant documentation within electronic health record (EHR) systems, ensuring adherence to organizational policies and regulatory standards.
- Monitored clinic workflows and operational metrics to identify opportunities for workflow improvements and operational efficiency enhancements.
- Provided high-level administrative and operational support to leadership, preparing reports, coordinating meetings, and assisting with departmental initiatives.
- Assisted leadership in implementing process improvements, workflow optimization, and service delivery initiatives across administrative and clinical teams.
- Maintained strict compliance with HIPAA privacy regulations, infection control standards, OSHA safety guidelines, and internal healthcare policies.
- Coordinated communication between patients, providers, and administrative teams, helping resolve service issues and ensuring positive patient experiences.
- Recognized for reliability, clinical knowledge, and operational awareness, becoming a trusted resource for providers, supervisors, and newly onboarded staff members in daily clinic operations.
Education
High School Diploma -
Lincoln High School
San Leandro06-2004
Skills
Refinery Operations:
Utilities Operations Hydrogen Systems Cogeneration Operations Steam Generation Boiler Operations Steam Distribution Systems Hydrogen Production & Distribution Process Monitoring Unit Startups & Shutdowns Process Upset Response Field Operations
Process Control Systems:
Distributed Control Systems (DCS) Process Instrumentation Process Variable Control (Pressure, Temperature, Flow, Level) Alarm Management Process Monitoring Operational Data Logging
Mechanical & Rotating Equipment:
Centrifugal Pumps Positive Displacement Pumps Compressors Gas Turbines Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG) Boilers Valves Heat Exchangers Pressure Vessels Piping Systems Rotating Equipment Operations
Industrial Mechanical Skills:
Equipment Line-Ups Valve Alignments Pump Swaps System Isolation Equipment Clearing Line Breaking Support Mechanical Troubleshooting Equipment Inspections Preventive Equipment Monitoring
Maintenance & Work Permitting:
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Safe Work Permits Maintenance Coordination Equipment Isolation Procedures Confined Space Preparation Turnaround Support
Safety & Compliance:
Process Safety Management (PSM) OSHA Safety Standards Hazard Recognition Job Safety Analysis (JSA) Environmental Compliance Incident Prevention Emergency Response
Tools & Industrial Equipment:
Hand Tools Power Tools Industrial Valves Mechanical Equipment Adjustments Field Sampling Equipment Industrial Safety Equipment
Steam & Utility Systems
High-Pressure Steam Systems Steam Distribution Headers Boiler Systems Condensate Recovery Systems Cooling Water Systems Boiler Feedwater Systems Steam Traps Utility Distribution Networks
Hydrogen Systems
Hydrogen Production Units Hydrogen Compression Systems Hydrogen Distribution Networks Hydrogen Purification Systems Hydroprocessing Support Systems
Cogeneration & Power Systems
Gas Turbines Cogeneration Power Systems Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG) Electrical Power Generation Systems Steam Turbines Power Distribution Equipment
Rotating Equipment
Centrifugal Pumps Positive Displacement Pumps Process Compressors Turbines Motors Rotating Industrial Machinery
Process & Mechanical Equipment
Industrial Valves Heat Exchangers Pressure Vessels Industrial Piping Systems Process Control Valves Instrumentation Devices Industrial Cooling Systems
Control Systems & Monitoring
Distributed Control Systems (DCS) Process Monitoring Systems Field Instrumentation Pressure / Temperature / Flow / Level Controls Alarm Monitoring Systems
Industrial Tools & Equipment
Hand Tools Power Tools Mechanical Maintenance Equipment Valve Wrenches Torque Tools Industrial Safety Equipment
Certification
• Basic Operator Training Program – Valero Energy Inc.
• Hazmat Technician Certification
• 40-Hour HAZWOPER
• OSHA Safety Training
• Forklift Certified
• TWIC Card
• CA Class C Driver’s License
• Firefighter Training & Emergency Rescue – Texas A&M
• Medical Assistant Certificate – Western Career College
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
tagalog
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Limited Working
Timeline
Utilities | Hydrogen | Cogeneration Operator
Valero Energy Inc.
03.2023 - Current
Service Manager I | Supervisor | Admin Spec IV
Kaiser Permanente
02.2006 - 03.2023
High School Diploma -
Lincoln High School