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Job summary

Provide field service and technical support for chemical treatment programs at oil sands tailings sites, including commissioning, optimization, troubleshooting, and verification of dosing and system performance. Document service findings, prepare reports, and train customer teams in safe chemical handling, polymer preparation, equipment operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance.

Job details

Provide expert field service and technical support for Sterling’s chemical treatment programs in oil sands tailings operations, with a strong focus on polymer-based flocculants, coagulants, and associated dosing systems. Support commissioning, optimization, and troubleshooting of Sterling’s treatment programs to ensure consistent performance, improved dewatering, enhanced fines capture, and reliable water recovery for customer sites. Conduct proactive and reactive service visits, performing diagnostics on dosing systems and chemical treatment programmes. Ensure Sterling’s product application meets design expectations by verifying dosing accuracy, chemical make-down efficiency, mixing performance, and system reliability under tailings operating conditions. Maintain detailed field documentation, including service records, operational observations, equipment performance data, process deviations, chemical consumption patterns, and site-specific challenges. Prepare thorough post-service reports for internal and customer stakeholders to support Sterling’s value delivery and continuous improvement objectives. Provide onsite training to customer operations teams, covering safe handling of flocculants and coagulants, polymer make-down best practices, storage and preparation requirements, equipment operation, troubleshooting techniques, and proper maintenance of Sterling-supported systems. EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS High school diploma required; Technical Diploma or Certificate in Chemical Technology, Industrial Technology, Instrumentation, Mechanical Technology, or a related field preferred. Valid Alberta Class 5 driver’s licence with a clean driving record. Ability to obtain/maintain: CSTS-2020, WHMIS 2015, H2S Alive, First Aid/CPR, TDG and Safe Work Permit KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES Technical Knowledge & Industry Expertise Strong knowledge of flocculants, coagulants and specialty chemical programs used in tailings treatment. Understanding of polymer activation, hydration behavior, dilution requirements, and performance impacts on MFT/FFT treatment, thickener feed, cyclone overflow, and secondary dewatering processes. Ability to troubleshoot chemical treatment systems including polymer make-down units, dosing skids, aging tanks, dilution water systems, inline mixers, and related equipment. Familiarity with oil sands tailings processes, including fines agglomeration, settling, dewatering, water recovery, and tailings deposition strategies. Knowledge of SDS documentation, WHMIS standards, chemical-handling requirements, Job Hazard Analysis, and Alberta OHS legislation. Skills & Competencies Strong analytical and diagnostic ability to identify chemical-treatment issues such as under- or over-dosing, polymer degradation, activation failures, or mixing inefficiencies. Competent in reading and interpreting P&IDs, chemical dosing schematics, polymer system drawings, and instrumentation diagrams. Clear communication skills for interacting with customer operators, process engineers, and Sterling technical specialists. High-quality report writing skills to document service activity, dosing adjustments, chemical-performance observations, and improvement recommendations. Ability to provide customer-focused technical training, reinforcing Sterling’s commitment to safe, effective chemical program execution. Abilities & Attributes Comfortable working in tailings environments, chemical systems areas, slurry-processing operations, and high-hazard field locations under strict PPE and environmental controls. Physically capable of lifting 50 lbs, climbing equipment, working at heights, and performing field service tasks in varying conditions. Willingness to travel to multiple oil sands customer sites across northern Alberta. Strong safety-first mindset aligned with Sterling’s and customer safety expectations, including full adherence to LOTO, chemical handling procedures, and site-specific protocols. Availability for extended hours, overtime, turnaround support, and emergency service calls to meet customer operational needs.

What you’ll do

Provide field service and technical support for chemical treatment programs at oil sands tailings sites, including commissioning, optimization, troubleshooting, and verification of dosing and system performance. Document service findings, prepare reports, and train customer teams in safe chemical handling, polymer preparation, equipment operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance.

Requirements

A high school diploma is required, while a technical diploma or certificate in a related technology field is preferred; a valid Alberta Class 5 driver’s licence and a clean driving record are also required. Candidates need strong knowledge of tailings treatment chemicals and systems, field troubleshooting and reporting skills, a safety-first approach, physical ability to perform field work, and willingness to travel and support extended hours or emergency calls.

Listed skills

• Technical · Preferred
• analysis · Preferred
• Training · Preferred
• preparation · Preferred
• Teams · Preferred
• safety · Preferred
• Process · Preferred
• Documentation · Preferred
• Accuracy · Preferred
• Troubleshooting · Preferred
• Customer · Preferred
• Technical Support · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Flocculant And Coagulant Treatment
• Tailings Treatment
• Polymer Activation And Make-Down
• Chemical Dosing Systems
• System Commissioning And Optimization
• Troubleshooting And Diagnostics
• Dewatering And Water Recovery
• P&ID And Schematic Interpretation
• Field Documentation And Reporting
• Customer Training
• Chemical Handling And Safety
• Process Performance Analysis
• Equipment Maintenance
• Technical Communication
• Oil Sands Operations

Job areas

• Energy
• Engineering
• Customer Service & Support
• Trades
• Security & Safety