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
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Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities
This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. With a moderate percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to contribute somewhat to employment opportunities over the coming years. Central Control and Process Operators in Petroleum, Gas, and Chemical Processing most commonly work full-time hours.
The median employment income for 45% of Central Control and Process Operators in Petroleum, Gas, and Chemical Processing who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $65,878. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
N/A
MinimumN/A
MedianN/A
MaximumAnnual Pay
N/A
Minimum$65,844
MedianN/A
MaximumCompared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities
Hourly Pay
$13.00
Minimum$23.91
Median$35.04
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
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Southern
Compared 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
Utilities
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
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 certificate or diploma
$58,745 median annual incomeTrades certificate
$75,745 median annual incomeHigh school
N/ABachelor's degree
N/AMaster's degree
N/ACompared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities
High school
$28,505 median annual incomeLess than high school
$19,224 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$38,781 median annual incomeTrades certificate
$43,975 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$39,715 median annual incomeEducation & training
Adult high school/secondary diploma programs
This program is typically offered at the high school level.The Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) administers, coordinates, and supports the development and delivery of adult education programs through learning partners in Nova Scotia. Our learning partners include the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations that offer tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED, empowering Nova Scotians to achieve their learning and employment goals.
Institutions providing this program
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
PO Box 220
Halifax, NS B3J 2M4
(866) 679-6722
Various, NS
Various, NS
Industrial mechanics and maintenance technology
This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals 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
5685 Leeds Street
Halifax, NS B3K 2T3
(902) 491-6722
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
Department of Labour and Advanced Education 2021 Brunswick Street, PO Box 578
Halifax, NS B3J 2S9
(800) 494-5651
Stationary energy sources installer and operator (Canada)
This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals 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
21 Woodlawn Road
Dartmouth, NS B2W 2R7
(902) 491-4900
226 Reeves Street
Port Hawkesbury, NS B9A 2A2
(902) 625-2380
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
Department of Labour and Advanced Education 2021 Brunswick Street, PO Box 578
Halifax, NS B3J 2S9
(800) 494-5651
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Certificate of Qualification (Mandatory): This job is a regulated designated trade in Nova Scotia. Certification is required to work in this job.
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.
Related jobs
Job postings
There are currently no job postings for this occupation.