Lead Operator

Job summary

The Lead Operator oversees daily plant operations, maintenance coordination, and provides hands-on leadership to the operating team. They ensure safe, efficient facility performance while maintaining compliance with HSE standards and regulatory requirements.

Job details

Lead Operator / Day Foreman Natural Gas Processing | Alberta (Grande Prairie Region) Permanent | Full‑Time | 4x3 Schedule (Days) An established natural gas processing facility is seeking a Lead Operator / Day Foreman to oversee daily plant operations and provide hands-on leadership to operating teams. This role is responsible for all aspects of plant production, maintenance coordination, and operator leadership in a dynamic gas processing environment. Role Details Employment Type: Permanent, Full‑Time Schedule: 4x3 (Days) Location: Grande Prairie Region, Alberta Work Setup: Non‑camp position (relocation required if not local) Eligibility: Open to candidates legally eligible to work in Canada The Facility This is a modern gas processing facility supporting sour natural gas production in Northern Alberta. The plant includes advanced gas processing and sulphur recovery capabilities and plays a key role in regional energy infrastructure. Position Overview The Lead Operator / Day Foreman is responsible for the daily operations of the facility, including plant production, maintenance coordination, and leadership of plant operators. This role requires strong technical expertise combined with hands-on leadership to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operations. Key Accountabilities Provide hands-on operational leadership and technical guidance to Gas Plant Operators to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable facility performance Serve as a primary point of support for troubleshooting plant issues, resolving complex process and equipment challenges, and coordinating with Engineering and Maintenance Demonstrate strong safety leadership by promoting hazard awareness, supporting risk assessments, and reinforcing safe work practices Ensure full compliance with HSE standards, regulatory requirements (including ABSA and AER), and site procedures Monitor plant performance and support optimization to maximize production while maintaining cost effectiveness Maintain and improve operating procedures to ensure consistency and accuracy across all shifts Participate in Management of Change (MOC) processes, supporting implementation and documentation Support plant activities including startups, shutdowns, turnarounds, and commissioning events Coordinate with Maintenance teams on priorities, execution, and equipment reliability Mentor and coach operators to strengthen technical capability and operating discipline Oversee critical activities such as sampling, inspections, and regulatory log management Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, reliability, and operational performance Provide coverage for senior plant leadership roles when required Perform additional duties as needed Education and Experience Requirements Minimum 3rd Class Power Engineer certification (required) Preference for 2nd or 1st Class Power Engineer certification In addition, candidates will have: 10+ years of hands-on experience in gas processing operations Strong technical expertise in: Sulphur recovery Gas compression Gas treating (sweetening) Refrigeration systems Condensate stabilization Steam systems Water treatment Proven ability to troubleshoot complex process and equipment issues Leadership experience mentoring and developing operators Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills High level of professionalism, organization, and decision-making ability Experience with work order systems and SCADA platforms Valid Class 5 Driver’s License Experience with distributed control systems (e.g., DeltaV) is an asset Compensation & Benefits Competitive hourly rate Annual bonus program RSP contribution Long-term incentive plan (LTIP) Comprehensive health and benefits package Health Care Spending Account Overtime and certification premiums Company vehicle provided for commuting

What you’ll do

The Lead Operator oversees daily plant operations, maintenance coordination, and provides hands-on leadership to the operating team. They ensure safe, efficient facility performance while maintaining compliance with HSE standards and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a minimum 3rd Class Power Engineer certification and possess over 10 years of hands-on experience in gas processing operations. Strong technical expertise in sulphur recovery, gas compression, and process troubleshooting is essential.

Benefits

• Annual bonus program
• RSP contribution
• Long-term incentive plan
• Comprehensive health and benefits package
• Health Care Spending Account
• Overtime premiums
• Certification premiums
• Company vehicle

Listed skills

• Regulatory Compliance · Preferred
• Leadership · Preferred
• Troubleshooting · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Gas processing
• Sulphur recovery
• Gas compression
• Gas treating
• Refrigeration systems
• Condensate stabilization
• Steam systems
• Water treatment
• Troubleshooting
• Leadership
• Maintenance coordination
• HSE compliance
• SCADA
• DeltaV
• Power engineering
• Regulatory compliance

Job areas

• Energy
• Engineering
• Manufacturing
• Management & Leadership
• Security & Safety

More jobs from NES Fircroft