3rd Class Power Engineer

Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc.; Village of Boyle; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension 7%

RRSP matching 3%

Dental & extended health benefits

Health care spending account

Life insurance

4 weeks vacation

Job summary

Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc. is seeking a 3rd Class Power Engineer to operate the Chemical Recovery and Utility processes at our Mill Site near Athabasca, Alberta.

The successful candidate will manage turbines, boilers, generators, feedwater, water/effluent and related equipment, ensuring safe, efficient operation and environmental compliance in a kraft pulp mill environment.

Qualifications

• Must hold 3rd Class Power Engineering certificate.
• Minimum 6 months operating a power or heating plant.
• Water Certificate is an asset.
• Alberta Apprenticeship/Industry Certificate is an asset.
• Strong communication and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safe, reliable operation of equipment and environmental compliance.
• Operate complex equipment and adjust variables for quality and productivity.
• Monitor gauges, valves, meters and alarms for efficiency and fault detection.
• Perform start-up and shutdown procedures as required.
• Operate and maintain boilers, HVAC, automation and emergency power systems.
• Conduct daily tests, record data and respond to alarms.

Skills

Power Plant Operation

DCS Control

Problem Solving

Safety Compliance

Communication Skills

Education

3rd Class Power Engineering Certificate

Water Certificate

Alberta Apprenticeship/Industry Certificate

Tools

SAP

MS Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc. (Al-Pac) is seeking a 3rd Class Power Engineer to work out of our Mill Site location near Athabasca, Alberta. The successful candidate will be responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the Chemical Recovery and Utility processes. Operating the DCS control panel, performing field duties, and managing equipment such as turbines, boilers, generators, feedwater, water/effluent and auxiliary equipment to ensure continuous utility services. The CRU Power Engineer is also responsible for operating the recovery boiler, lime kiln, slaker, and causticizers to support chemical recovery operations needed in a kraft pulp mill. For us, it's not just about coming to work and doing a job - as soon as you walk through the door, your career has purpose.

Who Are We?

Al-Pac is the largest single-line kraft pulp producer in North America. Our mill is located near the communities of Athabasca, Boyle & Lac La Biche. We are leaders in our industry, from our quality products, mill operations and responsible forest management practices, to the way we grow and develop our team members and work with local communities. We are continuously exploring new and innovative ideas, while delivering premium products with a commitment to strong environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility – a commitment that is demonstrated by our long-standing Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certification (FSC-C022642).

Role Responsibilities

• Ensure safe, reliable operation of all equipment, including pressure equipment and piping, while maintaining environmental compliance and production quality.
• Operate complex equipment and machines, adjusting variables to optimize quality and productivity.
• Monitor and inspect plant equipment, including gauges, valves, meters, and alarms, to ensure maximum efficiency and detect malfunctions.
• Perform start-up and shutdown procedures for processes as needed.
• Operate and maintain building and plant systems such as boilers, HVAC, automation systems, and emergency power.
• Conduct daily boiler chemical tests, add chemicals as necessary, and maintain boilers, hot water systems, and controls.
• Respond to plant alarms and perform preventative maintenance tasks as per the program.
• Maintain maintenance logs and perform standard equipment maintenance and repairs.
• Carry out quality assurance tasks and ensure compliance with testing protocols.
• Enter work notification requests or malfunction reports into the SAP system to ensure area issues/deficiencies are prioritized, planned, and scheduled.
• Adhere to safety requirements for each process area.
• Conduct daily equipment checks and report maintenance needs. Enter malfunction requests as necessary.
• Perform housekeeping duties and maintain cleanliness in assigned areas.
• Respond to requests from panel operators or maintenance teams.
• Operate a forklift for chemical tote placement and equipment staging as required.
• Collect and test samples to ensure liquor quality and verify online instrumentation.
• Write work permits, direct maintenance activities, and lock out equipment for maintenance.
• Perform physical tasks such as climbing, lifting, handling materials, and using tools for maintenance and cleaning, both indoors and outdoors.
• Perform acid washes as needed.
• Monitor and record process variables / KPI’s, ensuring specified conditions are met.
• Record operational data such as temperatures, pressures, quality measurements, and test results.
• Quickly adjust process variables in response to urgent issues to maintain optimal performance.
• Direct field operators as needed for troubleshooting or needed actions.

Role Requirements

• 3rd Class Power Engineering Certificate of competency examination.
• Must have 6 months of experience operating a power plant or heating plant, or a combination of both (6 months in each).
• Water Certificate is an asset, required to obtain a level 2 certificate as one progresses.
• Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry/Trade certificate is an asset.
• 5–7+ years of experience in manufacturing/forestry maintenance or power engineering-related duties (machinery and equipment installation, repair, and maintenance) is an asset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong critical thinking and logical problem-solving abilities.

Other

• Complete Al-Pac specific training that includes physical, technical, and critical thinking components to ensure safe operation.
• Demonstrate competency in five field positions before advancing to two panel roles.
• Ability to be a critical thinker, analyzing situations and using logic to address issues.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and basic knowledge of root cause analysis.
• Mechanical aptitude beneficial for solving field issues.
• Capable of reading and understanding complex instructions.
• Basic computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Self-motivated, continuous learner focused on procedural and process improvements; desire to learn new areas and face new challenges.
• Confident working under pressure, managing changing priorities and deadlines, and adapting to change.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, multitask, and troubleshoot.

What We Offer

You may wonder what makes us unique. Why would you want to work with Al-Pac? You will experience firsthand that our team-based culture values safety, open communication, productivity and quality, as well as a variety of other great perks including:

• A competitive annual salary including a company-paid pension at 7% and matching RRSP up to 3%.
• Company-paid dental and extended health benefits, including a health care and taxable spending account and supplemental life insurance.
• Four week’s annual vacation to start, increasing with years of service.
• Relocation Assistance Program, depending on eligibility.
• Team-based culture that encourages work-life balance.

• CLOSING DATE: October 01, 2026
• REQUISITION: 548
• POSITION TYPE: Permanent
• LOCATION: Mill Site

Al-Pac is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. We wish to express our thanks to all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.