Department: Field Operations
Reports To: Production Foreman
Location: North Clearwater District
Employment Type: Full-time, Contract 8-6 Shift (10-hour days)
Job Summary:
Tamarack Valley Energy is currently looking for a Lead Operator for our West Marten district. The Lead Operator is responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of the associated wells and facilities. This includes working closely with field operation staff, including all field operators, and field administrators, oversight of production performance, facility maintenance, regulatory compliance, operating expenses (opex), and coordination with internal and external stakeholders. This role ensures operational excellence by leading safety initiatives, optimizing production, maintaining equipment integrity, and fostering workforce development.
Key Responsibilities:
Operations & Production Oversight
- Operate and monitor oil and gas facilities, including heavy oil treating systems, separators, and treater vessels
- Manage natural gas processing operations, including dehydration, compression, and refrigeration unit.
- Oversee well optimization, ensure wells are running in a safe/compliant/efficient and cost-effective manner
- Ensure accurate production reporting and data entry into systems such as SCADA, and Production Manager.
- Coordinate well & facility shutdowns, upgrades, and maintenance activities.
- Supervise and coordinate daily production, workovers, maintenance, and facility operations.
- Monitor production volumes, operational performance, and operating costs; prepare reports and forecasts.
- Collaborate with engineering, geoscience, and accounting teams to support area development plans. Implement and oversee shutdown/startup schedules; manage abnormal operating conditions and upsets. Ensure timely and accurate field data capture (FDC) and reporting in compliance with internal and regulatory standards.
Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) Compliance
- Enforce HSE regulations, conduct safety audits, and add support during safety meetings and emergency drills.
- Ensure all field operators are up-to-date in the CMDS program and validate competencies as needed
- Oversee regulatory compliance, permitting, and environmental inspections.
- Train field personnel and contractors in safety practices, emergency response, and company policies.
- Perform wellsite and facility inspections, along with spot checks to verify housekeeping, PPE use, and contractor compliance.
- Ensure adherence to Alberta One Call, ground disturbance, and environmental protection processes.
Cost Control & Budgeting
- Assist Production Foreman in preparation of annual budgets and revised forecasts for opex and production targets.
- Monitor and control operating costs, equipment utilization, and material inventory (e.g., chemicals/rotating equipment).
- Join in bi-annual opex reviews field operations and production engineering teams.
Personnel Leadership & Development
- Manage crew schedules, vacation planning, and personnel issues in collaboration with Production Foreman
- Engage and maintain compliance with the Competency Management and Development System (CMDS).
- Develop site-specific procedures and ensure operator understanding for all critical tasks and installations.
- Mentor operators and spend one on one time ensuring field operation understand all aspects of the 15-15 BTY and 10-2 Gas Plant
Facility & Equipment Maintenance
- Coordinate and supervise preventive maintenance (PM) activities across wells, facilities, and pipelines.
- Oversee pressure equipment, PSV compliance, and maintenance per PEIM (Pressure Equipment Integrity Management) standards.
- Maintain accurate records and ensure all assets are documented in the corporate database.
- Identify equipment inefficiencies, corrosion risks, and infrastructure upgrades; recommend improvements.
- Participate in facility engineering Charter Meetings and Hazop Reviews as required.
- Participate and ensure completion of Pre-Startup Safety Review (PSSR) at the completion of facility projects and following turnarounds.
- Assist in commissioning of new Facilities and Pad start-ups.
Pipeline & Measurement Integrity
- Ensure compliance with CSA Z662, PEIM, and corporate pipeline operation standards.
- Coordinate pipeline inspections, risk assessments, cathodic protection, and dead leg removals.
- Manage and audit metering systems, calibration files, and measurement accuracy as per Directive 007, 017, and EPAP.
- Maintain and update measurement PM programs and ensure all third-party calibrations are documented.
Instrumentation, SCADA, and Electrical Oversight
- Oversee instrumentation and SCADA systems, ensuring operational readiness and regulatory compliance.
- Coordinate with approved contractors for instrumentation repairs and electrical safety per QMP standards.
- Support the development and testing of SCADA equipment and train field staff in monitoring and troubleshooting.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Work closely with Production Foreman to act as liaison with regulatory agencies, landowners, joint venture partners, and internal departments.
- Assist land agents with site tours, installations, and landowner communications.
- Address and document community complaints, operational concerns, and claim resolutions.
Qualifications:
- Minimum 10+ years in oil and gas operations, with at least 5+ years in a facility operation role.
- Driven to operational excellence while maintaining the highest safety standards and culture
- Excellent knowledge base of Ground Disturbance, OH&S legislation and regulations, AER regulations and industry recommended practices.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and field data capture/reporting tools.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
- Valid class 5 driver’s license and willingness to travel to remote locations.
- Reside in the Slave Lake Area (Within 45 mins of West Marten Field)
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $65.00-$74.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee assistance program
Experience:
- Petroleum & Natural Gas Extraction Occupations: 5 years (required)
Language:
Licence/Certification:
- $5MM liability insurance (required)
- First Aid Certification (required)
- H2S Alive (required)
- Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person
