Pipeline Controller at Sunoco Logistics
Job search pays off for Navy vet who finds rewarding career as pipeline controller for Sunoco Logistics.
by Warren Duffie

A native of Texas – one of America’s oil and natural gas meccas – Matt Miscovich understands the allure of “black gold.” In fact, this precious liquid is helping him to prosper in a rewarding civilian career with Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P., which transports and stores crude and refined products.

Miscovich is a pipeline controller at the company’s Sugar Land location outside of Houston. Manning a complex set of computer and television monitors, Miscovich guides oil through a 2,500-mile labyrinth of pipes snaking to refineries, terminals, and tank facilities throughout East Texas, Oklahoma and the Gulf Coast.

On The Job
“It’s a little like being an air traffic controller,” said Miscovich, 28. “Instead of planes, I’m guiding millions of gallons of oil to different destinations. Sometimes I have to increase or decrease the amount of oil flowing through the pipe.”

The former Sailor works a 12-hour shift, either 0600 to 1800 or vice versa. When he gets to his control center, he reviews the previous shift’s log, as well as the day’s transport schedule and oil flow level. He also deals with any maintenance issues that might come up.

“The Navy taught me attention to detail and to be calm under pressure,” said the former petty officer 2nd class, “which are essential to managing an efficient oil pipeline.”

The Company
Headquartered in Philadelphia, Sunoco Logistics engages in the transport and storage of refined products and crude oil – and the purchase and sale of crude oil in the Northeastern, Midwestern and Southwestern United States. Its Refined Products Pipeline segment owns and operates about 1,650 miles of refined product pipelines that guide gasoline, heating oil, diesel and jet fuel, and liquefied petroleum gases from refineries in Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New Jersey.

The Crude Oil segment gathers, purchases, sells and transports crude oil principally throughout Oklahoma and Texas. It consists of about 3,200 miles of crude oil trunk pipelines, 115 crude oil transport trucks and 150 crude oil truck unloading facilities. Sunoco Logistics generates revenues by charging tariffs on crude oil and refined products transported through its pipelines, and by charging storage and processing fees at its terminals.

Sunoco Logistics employees enjoy competitive compensation packages and opportunities for advancement. The company also is interested in assisting transitioning military personnel into civilian careers.

According to Sunoco Logistics’ Web site, it seeks military veterans “because they have the leadership and technical talent essential to becoming our future leaders. Our current needs include individuals with the following skills and experience: electronics, logistics, transportation, maintenance, operations, production, electrical, and engineering. Our job opportunities are in various locations, including Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Kentucky, and Mississippi.”

In Uniform
In 2001, Miscovich was a biology student at Texas Tech University. But the sophomore was bored with school and craved direction and excitement in his life. He quit school, moved back home to Dallas and pondered his future.

“All the men on my dad’s side of the family served in the Navy,” Miscovich said. “I really enjoyed the stories they told, so I thought the Navy would be a great way to figure out what I wanted to do.”

After boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes, Miscovich attended missile and submarine training in Groton, Conn., and Kings Bay, Ga. He was assigned as a missile technician to USS Wyoming, a ballistic missile submarine.

The Transition
By 2007, Miscovich planned to get married and settle down, and began thinking about life after the Navy.

“I actually first thought about getting out in 2005,” he said. “I started saving money, looking at online job sites, reading G.I. Jobs and attending career fairs. I knew I wanted to return to Texas, so I asked friends and relatives if they knew of any job openings.”

A buddy who worked in the oil industry told Miscovich about Sunoco Logistics and its pipeline work. The Sailor talked to some people in the control center and decided to apply. He filled out an online application, took a required technical aptitude test and had a formal interview. Within a month, he was hired, right before his military separation date.

“The benefits are great and my salary is twice what I made in the Navy,” Miscovich said. “But I have to warn people before they leave the service. You might make more money as a civilian, but there are a lot of new costs – food, housing, and health care – that really add up. Make sure to save your money while in the military.

“A good thing about Sunoco Logistics is that it truly values military experience,” he continued. “In my control center alone, there are about 15 to 20 veterans. Also, promotions and advancements are more merit-based than in the Navy. I’ve been here a little while and already received some bumps in pay.”

Miscovich’s Advice
 
• Figure out what you want to do.

• Don’t undervalue your military experience.

• Take transition classes.
 
• Get your degree, because military experience and college education make a killer combination.