General Operator - Oil & Gas Plant

About the role

The General Operator monitors oil and gas production processes safely and efficiently. It is an entry-to-mid-level, hands-on plant role focused on starting and stopping equipment, opening and closing valves, taking samples and assisting with minor maintenance, while keeping production flowing and meeting strict safety and environmental standards.

Key responsibilities

• Start up, operate and shut down production equipment such as separators, compressors, pumps and heaters; monitor gauges, meters and control panels (DCS/SCADA) for pressure, temperature and flow within limits.
• Open and close manual valves to direct product flow, and perform routine line walks and visual inspections to detect leaks, vibrations or abnormal conditions.
• Collect fluid samples (crude oil, condensate, produced water) and carry out basic quality control tests such as BS&W; add chemicals (corrosion inhibitors, methanol, demulsifiers) as directed.
• Assist technicians with isolations (fitting blinds, draining lines) and perform basic preventive maintenance such as greasing bearings, lubricating parts and replacing filters.
• Keep work areas clean, clean up spills and pressure wash decks.
• Follow the Permit to Work (PTW) system and Lock-Out/Tag-Out standards, respond to emergency alarms, take part in safety drills (fire, H2S release, man overboard) and report near misses and environmental concerns.

Required profile

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• H2S Alive certification is mandatory; standard First Aid and CPR.
• WHMIS 2015 (GHS) or equivalent chemical safety training; BOSIET/HUET and offshore medical for offshore positions.
• A valid driver's license is typically required for onshore field positions.
• 0-3 years of industrial experience; previous experience in oil and gas, petrochemical or water treatment is an advantage.
• Ability to work 12-hour rotating shifts (days/nights) in remote locations.

Required skills

• Basic understanding of Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) and line walks.
• Mechanical aptitude and comfort using hand tools.
• Basic computer literacy for data entry and logbook maintenance.
• Clear reporting to the Control Room Operator and supervisors, teamwork and alertness during long shifts.