Overview
Central control and process operators in petroleum, gas and chemical processing monitor and operate petroleum, petrochemical and chemical plants and monitor, adjust and maintain processing units and equipment in these plants. They are employed by petroleum and natural gas processing, pipeline and petrochemical companies and industrial, agricultural and specialty chemical and pharmaceutical companies.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Operate electronic or computerized control panel from a central control room to monitor and optimize physical and chemical processes for several processing units
Control process start-up, shut-down and troubleshooting
Monitor outside process equipment
Adjust equipment, valves, pumps and controls and process equipment
Authorize or co-sign maintenance work orders
Shut down, isolate and prepare process units or production equipment for maintenance
Sample products, perform tests, record data, carry out statistical process control on process operations, and write production logs
Develop operating procedures for normal operation, start-up or shut-down of unit
Participate in safety audits and programs and provide emergency response when required
Ensure adherence to safety and environmental regulations
May rotate between different processing units during shift cycles
May work in a team with shared supervisory responsibilities and participate in training other workers
May be cross-trained in a skilled trade and work in the trade during shift cycles.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$83,424
$108,451
$141,821
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
British Columbia
518expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Completion of secondary school is required. Mathematics, chemistry and physics subjects are often specified.
A college diploma in process operation, sciences or a related subject may be required for some positions.
Petroleum and chemical process operators and process technicians require completion of several years of formal company training.
Additional information
There is considerable mobility among jobs within a company, often as part of a formal development or training program.
Mobility to other petroleum or chemical processing plants is possible, but may be limited by the usual practice of training and promoting workers from within the establishment.
Progression to supervisory or managerial positions is possible with experience.
Certification requirements
Mandatory: You need the following certification to practice as Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing in B.C.
- Power Engineer Certification - Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing
Optional: The following certifications are optional to practice as Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing in B.C.
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) - Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing
- Basic first aid and CPR - Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Certification - Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing
- Refrigeration Operator Certification - Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing
Power Engineer Certification - Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing
To work as Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing in B.C., you need a Power Engineer Certification administered by the British Columbia Safety Authority. Click the link below for more information.
Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) - Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing
To work as Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing in B.C., you may need the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Certification. Eligibility is achieved by completing the relevant course.
Basic first aid and CPR - Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing
To work as a Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing in B.C., you may need to have basic first aid and CPR certification. Eligibility is achieved by completing a relevant course.
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Certification - Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing
To work as a Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing in B.C., you may need the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Certification. Eligibility is achieved by completing the relevant course.
Refrigeration Operator Certification - Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing
To work as Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing in B.C., you may need to complete a course in Refrigeration Operator Certification. Click the link below for more information.
Work Experience
Work experience required
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
No post-secondary education required
No post-secondary education required. You can work in this career without post-secondary education. Some on the job training may be provided. With additional training or experience, you may be able to progress into higher level, supervisory or management positions.