Field Operator

Location

Slave Lake / Wabasca / Pelican Lake region, Alberta

Camp positions. Bus to and from camp, pick up locations Nisku and Athabasca. 
 

Contract Details

Shift Schedule: 7/7, some positions rotating days and nights. 

1 year Contract
 

Role summary

Operator is responsible for the safe, reliable, and environmentally compliant operation of heavy-oil production and injection assets. This includes CHOPS and polymer flood wells, surface facilities, pipelines, tanks, and supporting equipment. The role is hands-on, autonomous, and accountability driven.

 

Key responsibilities

Daily operations

• Operate and monitor CHOPS/ EOR production wells and polymer flood injection wells
• Start up, shut down, and optimize wells and surface equipment
• Perform daily well, tank, and facility checks
• Monitor production, injection rates, pressures, temperatures, and alarms
• Identify abnormal conditions and take corrective action
• Record accurate field data (paper logs, handhelds, or SCADA)

 

Equipment and facilities

• PCP systems, engine skids, VFDs, gearboxes
• Polymer injection pumps, valves, filters, meters
• Production tanks, burners, line heaters
• Pipelines, pigging operations, valve sites
• Compressors (where applicable)
• Chemical handling systems (polymer, corrosion inhibitor, demulsifier etc.)

Maintenance and troubleshooting

• First-line troubleshooting of mechanical, process, and instrumentation issues
• Perform minor maintenance and adjustments within operator scope
• Coordinate with maintenance, E&I, and engineering when needed
• Identify repeat failures and improvement opportunities
• Submit work requests and follow through on execution

 

Safety, environment, and compliance

• Work in full compliance with company Life Saving Rules and OH&S requirements
• Complete hazard assessments
• Complete isolation and lock out tag out. 
• Respond to spills, releases, and upsets per ERP
• Maintain regulatory compliance (AER, TDG, WHMIS)
• Proper waste handling and documentation
• Participate in safety meetings, investigations, and audits

 

Team and communication

• Communicate clearly with Foremen, Assistant Foremen, and cross-shift operators
• Support new operators and share field knowledge
• Provide accurate shift handovers
• Maintain professional conduct aligned with company values

 

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid Class 5 driver’s license 
• Ability to work independently in remote field conditions
• Strong safety mindset and situational awareness
• Mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills
• H2S Alive, First Aid, TDG, WHMIS and CSO
• Adhere to drug and alcohol policy

Assets

• Previous conventional, heavy-oil, CHOPS, or polymer flood experience
• PCP experience
• Power engineering ticket or production field certification
• SCADA or field data system experience
• Technologist diploma
• 4th Class Power Engineering Certificate
• Flush-by, co-rod, or service rig experience
• Chemical or Petroleum Technician

 

Physical and work conditions

• Outdoor work in all weather conditions
• Lifting, climbing, and manual tasks required
• Long days during upsets or weather events
• Remote work with limited immediate supervision

 

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With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.