What team do you work in and what are they responsible for?
I work in the reliability department at the Geelong Refinery, which is part of the Geelong Energy Hub. The reliability department is responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the refinery. Our focus is on maintaining the functionality of all equipment within the refinery, ensuring that it is available and in good working condition when it’s required.
We approach this by evaluating the equipment on a case by case basis to establish a preventative maintenance schedule and by regular condition monitoring to find and identify issues as they arise so we can respond to them quickly. We also regularly make changes to equipment to improve its quality and reliability.
I’m in the E&I (Electrical & Instrumentation) team within the reliability department, my team follows the same approach as above but with a focus on instruments.
Every problem is unique and working in the reliability department is a good opportunity to study equipment in depth and get into the details of how they work.
What tips can you share with prospective graduates going through the application or recruitment process with us?
As you navigate the application process, I’d recommend to prioritise positions that align with your interests, in doing so you’ll naturally be a good candidate for the role and it will help set you up for a fulfilling career.
As you progress to the interview stage, remember that you’ve been selected for an interview because the employer recognises your skills and potential, so embrace who you are and let your personality shine through during the conversation.
Lastly, when comes to the assessment phase, try not to overthink it. The assessment process at Viva Energy was put together really thoughtfully, it’s very engaging and fun.
What do you love about your work?
I love working as a graduate engineer at Viva Energy because it’s a really fulfilling role. I’m consistently challenged in a way that encourages growth, which is something I was looking for in a graduate program. What truly stands out about Viva Energy is the support from my team and my manager who make sure to tailor my projects and rotations to align with my interests.
As an instrumentation engineer I’m grateful to have opportunities to apply my technical skills in a way that is both interesting and meaningful. The continuous learning and variety of projects has kept me engaged and enthusiastic. I’m really enjoying my time within the graduate program. It’s also amazing to be able to plan and execute projects on site where I can visit over the duration of the project and see my projects come to life.
Having such a supportive team and plenty of meaningful work is what makes working at Viva Energy an incredible journey that I am very excited to be a part of.