Central Control and Process Operators in Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Processing
(NOC 9232)
in All Manufacturing and UtilitiesThese workers monitor and run petroleum, petrochemical and chemical plants and monitor, adjust and maintain processing units and equipment in these plants. They work for petroleum and natural gas processing, pipeline and petrochemical companies and industrial, agricultural and specialty chemical and pharmaceutical companies.
Job Outlook
Undetermined
Read more
Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities
Hourly Pay
$24.00
Minimum$45.00
Median$52.15
MaximumAnnual Pay
N/A
Minimum$65,844
MedianN/A
MaximumCompared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities
Hourly Pay
$14.00
Minimum$20.80
Median$33.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$6,056
Minimum$30,111
Median$70,518
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
These workers monitor and run petroleum, petrochemical and chemical plants and monitor, adjust and maintain processing units and equipment in these plants. They work for petroleum and natural gas processing, pipeline and petrochemical companies and industrial, agricultural and specialty chemical and pharmaceutical companies.
Job duties
Central control and process operators:
- Use electronic or computerized control panel from a central control room to monitor and adjust physical and chemical processes for several processing units.
- Control process start-up, shutdown and troubleshooting.
- Monitor outside process equipment.
- Adjust equipment, valves, pumps and controls and process equipment.
- Approve 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 shutdown of unit.
- Participate in safety audits and programs and provide emergency response when needed.
- Make sure safety and environmental regulations are followed.
- 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.
Sample job titles
- acid plant operator
- chemical process operator
- chemical processing chief technician
- chlor-alkali plant cell room operator
- gas field production operator
- gas plant operator
- gas recovery operator
- master operator
- oil refinery process operator
- panel operator
- petroleum process operator
- pharmaceutical processing operator
- pipeline compressor station operator
- process technician
Skills
- You should be responsible and alert. Mechanical skill and strong computer skills are important. You must be able to work as part of a team.
Job requirements
- High school is required. Mathematics, chemistry and physics subjects are often identified.
- A college diploma in process operation, sciences or a related subject may be needed for some positions.
- Petroleum and chemical process operators and process technicians need completion of several years of formal company training.
- Experience as a petroleum or chemical process operator in all the operating units controlled by the central control room is required for chief operators.
- Company certification as a petroleum process operator or technician may be required.
- A provincial power engineer licence, compressor operator or refrigeration certificate may be required when certain kinds of equipment are included in the process.
- Certification in the transportation of dangerous goods (TDG), first aid, firefighting, or workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) may be required.
Other considerations
- There is movement among jobs within a company, often as part of a formal development or training program. Movement 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 company. Movement to supervisory or managerial positions is possible with experience. Personal protective equipment may be required for occupations in this unit group that may involve exposure to hazards of toxic, flammable or explosive chemicals.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Cape Breton
$98,464 median annual incomeHalifax
$45,451 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$94,643 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
N/ASouthern
N/ACompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Manufacturing
Wholesale trade
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
Construction
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
35-44
55-64
25-34
15-24
Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
15-24
Top levels of education
College Diploma
$58,745 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$75,745 median annual incomeHigh school
N/ABachelor
N/AMaster
N/ACompared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities
High school
$28,505 median annual incomeLess than high school
$19,224 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$38,781 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$43,975 median annual incomeBachelor
$39,715 median annual incomeEducation & training
High School Diploma or Equivalent
High School ProgramAdults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Various, NS
Various, NS
Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair and maintain industrial machinery and equipment such as cranes, pumps, engines and motors, pneumatic tools, conveyor systems, production machinery, marine deck machinery, and steam propulsion, refinery, and pipeline-distribution systems.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Stationary Energy Sources Installer and Operator (Canada)
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to install, repair, operate, and maintain large power sources that could include generating electricity and heat.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Compulsory Certification (Mandatory): This is a regulated designated trade in Nova Scotia. Individuals must hold a Certification of Qualification, be a registered apprentice, or hold a temporary work permit to legally work in this trade.
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.