Operations Specialist

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 an experienced Operations Specialist to join our Lloydminster Thermal Business Unit. This role supports project execution, commissioning, and the successful startup and turnover of development and MOC projects to Operations. The position involves project design changes, scope development, and ensuring Operations is aware of all changes. Key Responsibilities: Provide daily operational direction and technical leadership to CPF Operations teams to ensure safe, reliable, environmentally responsible, and efficient plant operation. Act as first-line technical support for facility troubleshooting, resolving complex process and equipment issues, and escalating as required to Engineering or Maintenance. Promote and demonstrate strong safety leadership, including proactive hazard identification, risk assessments, lockout/tagout stewardship, tailgate meetings, and participation in safety meetings and loss control tours. Ensure compliance with Strathcona Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) standards, regulatory requirements, and site-specific operating procedures, taking independent action to address and communicate substandard conditions. Coordinate, steward, and communicate key operational performance indicators (KPIs) to optimize production, maximize CPF throughput, and control operating costs. Ensure operating procedures are current, understood, and consistently applied across all shifts, intervening as necessary to prevent unsafe or off-spec operating conditions. Serve as a key Operations stakeholder in Management of Change (MOC) and Capital Projects, providing operational input during design reviews, coordinating documentation review, and supporting PSSR activities. Plan and coordinate shutdowns, commissioning, startup activities, and turnaround events (planned and unplanned), ensuring operational readiness and safe execution. Support Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) maintenance practices, including work order quality, break-in work release, and coordination with Maintenance teams. Mentor, coach, and provide technical guidance to Shift Engineers, Operators, contractors, and new-to-site personnel, promoting consistent and disciplined operational practices. Support continuous improvement initiatives, lessons learned, and knowledge sharing to improve plant reliability, safety performance, and operational efficiency. Qualifications & Skills: Second- or Third-Class Power Engineering Certificate (minimum Third-Class for plant operations). Minimum 7+ years of operating experience at a SAGD or similar thermal facility with equivalent processes and equipment. Strong technical knowledge of SAGD well pair operations, steam generation, production systems, and multi-phase pipelines. Demonstrated working knowledge of OH&S Code and regulatory body requirements, and operating approval conditions. Proven ability to troubleshoot complex process and mechanical issues and identify opportunities for optimization and continuous improvement. Experience participating in or supporting Management of Change (MOC), capital projects, commissioning, and turnaround activities. Strong leadership, mentoring, and coaching capability with the ability to influence others and support team development. Effective communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively across Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Production, and HSE teams. Demonstrated professionalism, sound judgment, organizational skills, and a disciplined approach to operational excellence. Proficient computer skills and experience with operational reporting, documentation, and maintenance management systems. Valid Class 5 driver’s license with acceptable driving record. Work Environment: Position based in a plant setting. Candidate must reside in or be willing to relocate to the North Battleford area. Valid Class 5 driver’s license with a clean driver’s abstract required . Why Strathcona: At Strathcona, we’re committed to attracting top talent to join our fast-growing Canadian oil and gas team. Relocation & Transportation Support: If you need help moving, we offer relocation assistance to make the process easier. Depending on your role and location, we can provide company vehicles, carpooling options, or flights to ensure you can get to site with ease. Retirement Savings: Benefit from our generous RRSP matching program to help you plan for the future . Performance-Based Compensation : Our unique pay program rewards both individual contributions and overall business success. Career Growth : With multiple assets nearby, we offer plenty of opportunities for internal moves to broaden your skills and experience within the industry. 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. Apply to Strathcona If you have what it takes to be a great Strathcona team member, we want to hear from you. We appreciate all interest in this opportunity but only those selected to advance through the process will be contacted.