Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Processing and Utilities Supervisors

Nature of work

These supervisors coordinate and supervise the activities of the following groups of workers: Petroleum, gas and chemical process operators, Power engineers and power systems operators, Water and waste treatment plant operators, Chemical plant machine operators and Labourers in chemical products processing and utilities. They work for petroleum and natural gas processing, pipeline and petrochemical companies, chemical and pharmaceutical companies, electric power utilities, water and waste treatment utilities and in a range of other industries and institutions.

Job duties

Supervisors in this group:

• Supervise, coordinate and schedule the activities of workers.
• Identify, investigate, fix and document potential environmental and safety problems.
• Create ways to meet work schedules and coordinate work activities with other departments.
• Solve work problems and recommend ways to improve productivity and product quality.
• Provide information for maintenance plans to make sure that maintenance and production goals are met.
• Request materials and supplies.
• Train staff in job duties, safety procedures and company policy.
• Recommend staffing actions like hiring and promotions.
• Prepare production and other reports and manage operating budget for area of responsibility.
• May also supervise, coordinate and schedule the activities of trades workers, labourers or other workers.

Sample job titles

• chemical processing supervisor
• chemical unit foreperson
• cosmetics processing foreperson
• natural gas plant foreperson
• paint processing foreperson
• petroleum refining supervsior
• pharmaceuticals production supervisor
• pipeline oeprations supervisor
• power station supervisor
• sewage treatment plant supervisor
• specialty chemicals production supervisor
• water purification plant foreperson

Skills

• You must be capable of supervising staff, working with teams, communicating effectively, and maintaining production schedules. Problem-solving, technical writing, and computer skills are important. For some jobs, physical stamina may be necessary.

Job requirements

• High school is usually required.
• College education in chemical processing or sciences may be needed for some jobs in this group.
• Several years of experience as a senior operator in the same company or plant are usually required.
• Some jobs in this group may need a specific licence or certification like a power engineer licence, refrigeration certification, or wastewater treatment certification.
• Solid waste, landfill or compost facility operator certification may be required.

Other considerations

• There is some mobility between jobs with similar technological or licensing requirements within this group.

Regulations

There are no additional resources for this occupation.