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Tailings Operator Jobs in Alberta (NOW HIRING)

FLINT Corp.

Process Operator

Fort Mcmurray, AB · On-site

In this role, you will be working in a Tailings environment, operating and maintaining electric and diesel pumps & completing ground work . This position offers a 7-on/7-off schedule with 12-hour ...

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All JobsTailings Operator JobsTailings Operator Jobs in Alberta

Tailings Operator information

See Alberta salary details

$9

$23

$49

How much do tailings operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for tailings operator in Alberta is $23.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.90 and $28.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a tailings operator?

Tailings operators are professionals responsible for managing and operating tailings storage facilities at mining sites. They oversee the safe handling, transportation, and disposal of tailings, which are the waste materials left after the extraction of minerals. Their work includes monitoring equipment, inspecting containment structures, ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations, and responding to emergencies. Tailings operators play a critical role in minimizing environmental impacts and ensuring the safety of mine operations.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a tailings operator and how does this role contribute to overall site safety?

Tailings Operators are responsible for monitoring and managing the flow and storage of tailings—residual materials left after the extraction of minerals in mining operations. On a daily basis, they inspect pipelines, pumps, and containment areas, conduct sampling, log data, and ensure all equipment is functioning safely and efficiently. Their role is crucial to maintaining environmental compliance and site safety, as they proactively identify and address potential leaks or failures in the tailings management system. Collaboration with environmental engineers and other operations staff is common, ensuring that best practices are upheld and regulatory requirements are consistently met.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a tailings operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Tailings Operator, you need a solid understanding of mining operations, environmental regulations, and tailings management processes, often supported by a high school diploma or relevant technical training. Familiarity with heavy equipment, tailings monitoring systems, and safety certifications such as MSHA or WHMIS is typically required. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are essential soft skills for this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial to ensure the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible management of tailings storage facilities.

What is the difference between Tailings Operator vs Mine Technician?

AspectTailings OperatorMine Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma, safety certificationsHigh school diploma, technical certifications
Work EnvironmentProcessing plants, tailings pondsMining sites, processing facilities
Employer & IndustryMining companies, mineral processingMining companies, mineral extraction

While both roles work within the mining industry, a Tailings Operator primarily manages tailings ponds and processing operations, focusing on waste material handling. A Mine Technician supports various technical tasks on-site, including equipment maintenance and safety checks. The roles share similar certifications and work environments but differ in specific responsibilities and focus areas.

What are popular job titles related to Tailings Operator jobs in Alberta?

For Tailings Operator jobs in Alberta, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Tailings Operator jobs in Alberta look for?

The top searched job categories for Tailings Operator jobs in Alberta are:

Tailings Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Tailings Operator job openings in Alberta as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $48,257 per year, or $23.2 per hour.

Principal - Mine Tailings and Closure

ExxonMobil

Edmonton, AB • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life

Posted 6 days ago

ExxonMobil rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 231 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

72nd of 87 rated oil and gas companies

Job description

At Imperial, we work every day to responsibly develop Canada’s energy resources – applying technology and innovation to supply affordable, accessible and reliable energy while reducing emissions. Imperial recognizes the important role we can play by advancing climate solutions within our operations and by providing lower life-cycle emission products to our customers. This effort is powered by a unique and diverse workforce fueled by a pride in what we do and what we stand for. 

The success of our upstream, downstream and chemical, and corporate divisions is the result of the talent, curiosity and drive of our people. They bring solutions every day to optimize our strategy in energy, chemicals, lubricants and lower-emissions technologies. 

Imperial honours diverse backgrounds so we can be a place where people can bring their full selves to work, no matter their identity, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, or ability.

At Imperial, we want you to come for the position and stay for the career. As an integrated company, we are uniquely positioned to offer you a wide range of career prospects and growth opportunities through the course of your career with us. We invite you to bring your ideas and help create sustainable solutions that improve quality of life and meet society’s evolving needs. 

About Imperial’s Kearl Operation

Kearl is considered one of Canada’s highest-quality oil sands deposits and is being developed using next-generation mining techniques. Kearl has converted its entire haul truck fleet to autonomous operation and is one of the largest autonomous mine fleet operators in the world.

Operations at Kearl began in 2013. The site’s past success and current strength are a testament to the skills, dedication and passion of the thousands of individuals who contribute to its operations. In 2025, gross production at Kearl was about 280,000 barrels per day.

What Role You Will Play in Our Team

Imperial Oil is seeking a Principal of Mine Tailings & Closure to serve as the company's senior technical subject matter expert for tailings management, water management, reclamation, and mine closure at the Kearl Oil Sands operation. This role provides strategic leadership, technical governance, and expert guidance to support safe, responsible, and sustainable development throughout the asset lifecycle. The successful candidate will influence long-term business decisions, mentor technical professionals, advance innovative solutions, and represent Imperial with regulators, industry organizations, and external stakeholders.

This role will be office based and located in Edmonton.  Occasional travel to Calgary will be required in the office transition period. Occasional travel to Kearl will be encouraged

What You Will Do

This role will deliver technical leadership for the areas of Mine Tailings and Closure and the broader organization, serving as the corporation's primary technical resource and trusted advisor for tailings and closure. A successful candidate will demonstrate strong communication, collaboration, and the ability to effectively integrate technical expertise with business strategy and risk-informed decision making. 

Key areas of accountability include:

  • Provide technical leadership and guidance on complex, multi-disciplinary planning, design, and execution activities, identifying opportunities for optimization, innovation, and risk reduction.
  • Guide the development of long-range strategies for tailings, water management, reclamation, and closure, ensuring effective management of risks and opportunities throughout the asset lifecycle.
  • Represent Imperial with industry associations, regulators, government agencies, and technical forums related to tailings management, water management, reclamation, and mine closure
  • Identify, evaluate, and champion emerging technologies, research initiatives, and innovative practices that improve technical performance, risk management, and environmental outcomes.
  • Apply deep technical expertise and business judgment to support strategic decision-making and continuous improvement across tailings, water management, reclamation, and closure functions.
  • Develop, review, and maintain internal standards, technical guidelines, governance frameworks, and best practices related to tailings, water management, reclamation, and closure.
  • Actively support and mentor the mining and mineral processing professionals and foster knowledge sharing and collaboration.
  • Provide stewardship of discipline capability and technical excellence through participation in skill assessments, career development planning, succession planning, and technical leadership development.
  • Provide independent technical challenge and expert review of major decisions, designs, and strategies to ensure alignment with corporate objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
About You
Job Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Geoscience
  • Registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng) or eligible for registration in Alberta
  • 18+ years of progressively responsible experience in tailings, water management, reclamation, closure, mining, or related disciplines
  • Demonstrated expertise across several of the following disciplines: tailings management, water management, reclamation, mine closure, geotechnical engineering, dam safety, and mining
  • Experience working within open pit mining operations and interacting with regulatory agencies
  • Demonstrated ability to influence technical and business decisions without direct authority
  • Ability to organize and lead teams on complex, multi‑disciplinary projects
  • Proven ability to communicate and collaborate across engineering, operations, planning, regulatory, and senior management
  • Strong organizational, planning, and practical problem‑solving skills, supported by critical thinking and continuous improvement
  • Self‑motivated, able to work with a high degree of autonomy while remaining aligned with broader team objectives
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience and/or knowledge of oil sands mining operations and with Alberta and Canada regulatory frameworks
  • Familiarity with industry standards and guidance related to tailings and closure
  • Experience supporting major project approvals, closure plans, reclamation plans, or environmental assessments
  • Experience engaging with regulators, government agencies, Indigenous communities, industry organizations, or other external stakeholders
  • Experience with risk‑based decision making and trade‑off analysis (cost, schedule, operability, environmental performance)
  • Experience participating in or leading technical assurance reviews, independent reviews, or governance processes for tailings and closure projects.
  • Experience presenting technical recommendations and risk assessments to executive leadership
  • Experience developing and deploying strategic changes within organizations
  • Experience with mentoring technical professionals and developing technical standards and best practices
  • Experience contributing to continuous improvement initiatives
  • Experience collaborating with academia, industry groups, or research organizations to advance tailings and closure technologies
  • Proven ability to thrive in a dynamic, evolving environment with changing priorities and complex interfaces
You Benefits

An Imperial career is one designed to last. Our commitment to you runs deep: our employees grow personally and professionally, with benefits built on our core categories of health, security, finance, and life. Imperial Oil has been recognized as one of Canada’s top employers for young people (2024), in addition to one of Canada’s and Alberta’s top employers (2024) as recognized by Mediacorp Canada Inc.’s 24th annual competition.

We offer you:

  • Competitive salary
  • Training and mentorship
  • Relocation assistance as required
  • Flexible work hours and work from home policy
  • Employee resource groups (ERG’s) – opportunity to participate in volunteer groups that support furthering the company’s inclusion objectives

Please note benefits may be changed, suspended or terminated from time to time without notice, subject to applicable law.

Imperial is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Imperial is committed to providing equitable treatment and equal opportunity to all individuals and encourages all eligible applicants to apply.

Imperial conducts business in a manner that respects the land, environment, rights and cultures of Indigenous communities. In the areas where we explore, develop and operate, Imperial engages Indigenous communities in open and forthright consultation and strives to establish meaningful relationships built on mutual trust and respect. Please see here for more information on Imperial’s Indigenous Relations Guiding Principles and Guidelines.

Imperial is committed to supporting persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. We will work with qualified applicants to provide reasonable accommodation upon request at Recruit.Services.CA@exxonmobil.com.

Eligibility to work in Canada: All applicants who receive an offer of employment must be eligible to work in Canada on a regular full-time basis without restrictions on their start date.  Proof of eligibility shall be in the form of a Canadian birth certificate, Canadian passport, Canadian citizenship certificate, Canadian certificate of permanent residence, Canadian open work permit or receipt from Immigration Canada of an application for a post-graduate work permit. 

Proof of eligibility must be current and valid (not expired, cancelled or voided). Proof of eligibility will be required if an offer of employment is made. Failure to provide proof of eligibility at least six (6) weeks prior to the start date may result in the offer of employment being rescinded.

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