Student Plant Operator

Strathcona Resources; City of Cold Lake; On-site; CAD 23,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Strathcona Resources Ltd. is seeking Student Plant Operators to join the Cold Lake team. You will assist in the safe and efficient operation of SAGD plant equipment and gain experience toward Power Engineering certifications.

Positions are available at three Thermal Facilities (Lindbergh, Orion, Tucker) starting May 2026 for 4 or 8 months. Typical shift is 12 hours day/night with potential weekend coverage.

Qualifications

• Completion of Grade 12.
• Fourth Class Power Engineering Certificate of Competency.
• Currently enrolled in a Power Engineering co-op/internship program.
• Valid Class 5 driver's license.
• Demonstrated record of safe work habits and a commitment to safety.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine plant operations duties of the SAGD facility (plants and/or wells).
• Ensure compliance with HSER policies, and practices.
• Prepare equipment for maintenance and ensure work is completed per procedures and standards.
• Assist with ERP drills.
• Provide creative solutions and effective problem solving of issues in the plant environment.
• Support management decisions with open communication.
• Notify supervisor of emergencies and enter work orders.

Education

Grade 12

Fourth Class Power Engineering Certificate of Competency

Power Engineering co-op/internship enrollment

Valid Class 5 driver's license

Demonstrated record of safe work habits

Job description

Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Strathcona Resources Ltd. is one of North America's fastest growing pure play heavy oil producers with operations focused on thermal oil and enhanced oil recovery near the Cold Lake and Lloydminster regions of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Strathcona is committed to doing business the right way, guided by our core values: Integrity, Energy, and Intelligence . These values define who we are as a company, how we work together, and how we make decisions: We prioritize respect, accountability, and collaboration. That means everyone can shape and strengthen our culture and drive results in meaningful ways. Our people bring energy and curiosity to solve problems and deliver results. Be part of a team where performance, collaboration, and innovation come together to drive success.

We are actively seeking Student Plant Operators to join our Cold Lake team. Reporting to the Shift Engineer, the successful candidates will assist in the safe and efficient operation of the plant equipment and will gain valuable experience towards their Power Engineering certifications.

We have opportunities at each of our three Thermal Facilities (Lindbergh, Orion, Tucker) starting in May 2026 for 4 or 8-month terms.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine plant operations duties of the SAGD facility (plants and/or wells)
• Ensure compliance with Strathcona's Health, Safety, Environment and Regulatory (HSER) policies, and practices.
• Prepare equipment for maintenance and ensure that the work is completed as per Strathcona's procedures and work standards
• Assist with Emergency Response Plan (ERP) drills
• Provide creative solutions and effective problem solving of issues that arise within the plant environment i.e., troubleshooting, flagging deficiencies and recommending changes to current practices.
• Support management decisions with honest and open communication with all employees
• Support other Plant Operators in developing Operations Procedures
• Notify the supervisor of emergency/upset situations impacting the facility report deficiencies, and enter work orders
• Be willing to train/work in all operating positions in the plant
• Ensure all areas are kept clean to meet/exceed company standards
• Assist in coverage for vacation, sick days and leaves and upset conditions
• Be able to complete Power Engineer Logbook entries concisely and on time

Qualifications

• Completion of Grade 12
• Fourth Class Power Engineering Certificate of Competency
• Currently enrolled in a Power Engineering co-op/internship program
• Valid Class 5 driver's license
• Demonstrated record of safe work habits and a commitment to safety

Work Environment

• 12-hour shift work on a day/night shift rotation in a plant environment, including weekends, holidays and other shift coverage as required
• Working outside in changing weather condition

Great things aren't done by one person, they're done by a team.

We believe meaningful results come from people with unwavering commitment to integrity, energy, and intelligence - how we show up matters just as much as what we deliver. We value our work, our communities, and our commitments - but most of all, we value the team of people who make what we do possible.