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Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing

OaSIS code 93101.00

Central control and process operators in petroleum, gas and chemical processing monitor and operate petroleum, petrochemical and chemical plants and monitor, adjust and maintain processing units and equipment in these plants.

Overview

Also known as

  • 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 - chemical processing
  • Oil refinery process operator
  • Panel operator - chemical processing
  • Petroleum process operator
  • Pharmaceutical processing operator
  • Pipeline compressor station operator
  • Process technician - chemical processing
  • Refinery process technician

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Operate electronic or computerized control panel from a central control room to monitor and optimize physical and chemical processes for several processing units
  • Control process start-up, shut-down and troubleshooting
  • Monitor outside process equipment
  • Adjust equipment, valves, pumps and controls and process equipment
  • Authorize 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 shut-down of unit
  • Participate in safety audits and programs and provide emergency response when required
  • Ensure adherence to safety and environmental regulations
  • 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.

Additional information

  • There is considerable mobility among jobs within a company, often as part of a formal development or training program.
  • Mobility 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 establishment.
  • Progression 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.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities (92011)
  • Chemical plant machine operators (94110)

Skills match:

View occupations with similar skills and abilities requirements

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

9 – Occupations in manufacturing and utilities

TEER

3 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of less than two years; or more than six months of on-the-job training

Major group

93 – Central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors

Sub-major group

931 – Central control and process operators in processing and manufacturing

Minor group

9310 – Central control and process operators in processing and manufacturing

Unit group

93101 – Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing

Occupational profile

93101.00 – Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Controlling Machines and Processes
4 - High Level
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
4 - High Level
Analyzing Data or Information
3 - Moderate Level
Applying New Knowledge
3 - Moderate Level
Clerical Activities
3 - Moderate Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
3 - Moderate amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
2 - Between 35 to 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
3 - Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
2 - Less than half the time
Standing
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
2 - Less than half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day
Duration
3 - About half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
2 - Somewhat important
Frequency
3 - Once a week or more but not every day

Workplaces/employers

  • Industrial, agricultural and specialty chemical companies
  • Petroleum and natural gas processing companies
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Pipeline and petrochemical companies

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Auditory Attention
4 - High Level
Multi-Signal Response
4 - High Level
Perceptual Speed
4 - High Level
Rate Control
4 - High Level
Reaction Time
4 - High Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Operation and Control
5 - Highest Level
Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
5 - Highest Level
Quality Control Testing
4 - High Level
Coordinating
3 - Moderate Level
Monitoring
3 - Moderate Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Analytical Thinking
4 - Highly important
Collaboration
4 - Highly important
Stress Tolerance
4 - Highly important
Adaptability
3 - Important
Attention to Detail
3 - Important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: RIC

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Investigative (I)

Investigative occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the observation and systematic or creative investigation of physical, biological, or cultural phenomena. These occupations require an extensive amount of thinking and frequently involve working with ideas, searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Conventional (C)

Conventional occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail following sets of procedures and routines. These activities may include systematic manipulation of data, such as keeping records, filing materials, reproducing materials, organizing written and numerical data according to a prescribed plan, and operating business and data processing. They often require following a clear line of authority and usually involve working with data and details more than with ideas.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • Completion of secondary school is required. Mathematics, chemistry and physics subjects are often specified.
  • A college diploma in process operation, sciences or a related subject may be required for some positions.
  • Petroleum and chemical process operators and process technicians require 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.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Chemistry
3 - Advanced Level
Electrical and Electronics
2 - Intermediate Level
Manufacturing, Processing and Production
2 - Intermediate Level
Vehicle, Machinery and Equipment Operations
2 - Intermediate Level
Clerical
1 - Basic Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

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