Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing

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.

• 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.

• 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.