Figure 6: Clean Work Area.

Navy eh? My master operator on my shift is actually an ex navy guy too. And honestly, this place falls over themselves to pick up anyone with their 3rd class (sometimes even just 4th). With your second and all the other experience and stuff you hold I honestly think they'd hire a guy like you on any day. Seriously impressive skill set you've accumulated in your service. With that said, I doubt you'd have much issue finding relevant work anywhere. 2nd class is a pretty big deal!

Alright, I'll try and answer everything here.. If I moss anything let me know.

Everyone starts at the bottom. Currently that rate is $29.88/hr for the first 6mos. Second 6mos is $32.43. After 1 year you are paid at your position rate, beginning at op6 which is $39.90. After 4 years you obtain "top outside rate" regardless of if you are an op6 or whatever. Kind of like being a journeyman. But the job rates are as follows: Op6: 39.90 Op4: 44.26 Op3: 47.73 TOR: 49.22 op1 (board man): 52.22 Master operator (foreman): 53.74

We also get a shift premium of about $1/hr for days and $2/hr for nights.

The requirements are grade 12 with your maths and sciences and obtaining your 3rd class within 18mos but you've got that beat already.

The rate at which guys are moving up had slowed quite a bit, but that doesn't hold up your pay. You could be an op6 for 8 years, but you're still making TOR after 4 years regardless. Progression is a tough call because it all depends on vacancies. Retirements and stuff.

As far as the job, it's as involved as you want it to be. You like tinkering so I think process operator sounds exactly like what you're after to be honest. The pace is very much your own. If my units are running properly, my superiors really don't care a whole lot what I'm doing. You're expected to do a round of your unit(s) every 2 hours which involves basically a walk through and recording some numbers like pressures and temps. There are some things that have to be done periodically like maybe draining a knockout drum, that kind of stuff. But there is ALWAYS something to do if you're feeling ambitious. When things are running good you can do literally nothing on a shift if that is your mood. But when shit hits the fan, it's go time. There is always stuff to learn and it is as interesting as you want it to be.

As far as job market, while other areas of oil has slowed down, refineries aren't really affected like that. Whether oil is $60 a barrel or $110, they're refining it. I think a person with your experience and qualifications could snag a job in a place like this any time, tomorrow or 5 years from now. We are doing LOTS of expanding out here and always adding to staff. I keep my eye on operator postings elsewhere as well and it seems to me it's the same story everywhere. Long story short, when you're ready, I think you'll have a good time finding an operator job here or elsewhere... The tough part, as you said, will likely be convincing the wife to move out this way.

Anyway, I'm at the end of my night shift so I'm not super sharp. If I've missed anything let me know! Got any other questions, ask away!

/r/OSHA Thread Parent Link - i.imgur.com