Current Opportunities

POSTING DATE: March 18, 2025
JOB NUMBER: 2024-24
HYBRID WORK: Non-Eligible
POSITION TYPE: Permanent/Non-Permanent
LOCATION: Athabasca Area, Alberta

Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc. (Al-Pac) is seeking a Woodroom Operator Permanent position, and a Woodroom Operator Non-Permanent Position to work out of our mill site near Athabasca, Alberta. The successful candidate will be responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the Woodhandling process. This includes managing the unloading, storage, and feeding of logs, operating the debarking line, and overseeing chip pile management. The role involves using various equipment such as a Portal Yard Crane and other large mobile machinery.

Who Are We?

Al-Pac is the largest single-line kraft pulp producer in North America. Our mill is located near the communities of Athabasca, Boyle & Lac La Biche. We are leaders in our industry, from our quality products, mill operations and responsible forest management practices, to the way we grow and develop our team members and work with local communities. We are continuously exploring new and innovative ideas, while delivering premium products with a commitment to strong environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility – a commitment that is demonstrated by our long-standing Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certification*.

Role Responsibilities

Overview

• Ensure the safe and reliable operation of Woodroom equipment, including conveyors, drum debarkers, and large mobile machinery. Oversee environmental compliance and maintain production quality and quantity.
• Continuously monitor Woodroom processes using control panels; adjust variables like feed rate and water usage to optimize chip quality and meet production targets.
• Perform start-up and shutdown procedures for Woodroom processes as required, ensuring minimal disruption and safety compliance.
• Conduct daily, weekly, and monthly equipment inspections; complete checklist tasks to verify equipment integrity and functionality.
• Collect chip and bark samples regularly and conduct laboratory analyses to verify quality parameters and adjust processes accordingly.
• Operate large mobile equipment to manage fibre movement in the yard, including logs, chips, and hog piles, ensuring efficient use of storage space.
• Utilize forklifts for equipment staging, material handling, and logistics support.
• Write work permits, lock out equipment for maintenance, and direct maintenance teams; support maintenance activities as needed.
• Perform cleaning and housekeeping tasks, including equipment and tower maintenance, floor cleaning, and debris removal. Use tools like chain saws and wash hoses for specific tasks.
• Assist in diagnosing and resolving equipment and process issues, collaborating with maintenance and engineering teams.
• Enter work notification requests or malfunction reports into the SAP system to ensure area issues/deficiencies are prioritized, planned and scheduled.

Equipment Operation - Portal Yard Crane

• Conduct pre-use inspections and follow safety protocols for crane operation.
• Identify and report maintenance needs; perform routine cleaning and servicing of the crane.
• Direct traffic for log trucks, safely unload logs (tree-length and cut-to-length) and manage log piles to ensure efficient processing.
• Control the flow of logs into the Woodroom, adjusting feed rates to minimize wood loss and optimize chip quality.

Equipment Operation – Tracked Cat

• Perform safety checks and inspections, including blowing down equipment to remove dust and debris.
• Level wood piles to maximize storage capacity and manage chip piles effectively for continuous pulp mill supply.
• Safely reclaim and move chips from storage areas to feed the pulp mill, ensuring consistent supply.

Equipment Operation – Wheeled Loader

• Conduct pre-use inspections and adhere to safety guidelines for loader operation.
• Efficiently switch between grapple and bucket attachments to handle different materials.
• Transport logs, chips, and fines using the loader; assist with chip pile management and yard clean-up tasks.
• Perform cleaning tasks around the chip piles and wood yard to maintain a safe and organized work environment

Equipment Operation – Butt n Top

• Ensure all safety checks are performed before equipment use; report any issues for maintenance.
• Unload log trucks (both cut-to-length and tree-length) and organize log decks efficiently.
• Use equipment to clean up wood yard, picking up stray pieces and maintaining order.

Woodroom Operation

• Use control systems to monitor equipment gauges, recording instruments, and flowmeters, ensuring all parameters are within specified limits.
• Adjust process variables swiftly in response to alarms or unexpected issues to maintain optimal operation and prevent downtime.
• Document operational data and production metrics in the necessary logbooks and tracking documents, including production and quality figures, to ensure accurate reporting and process control.

Role Requirements

• High school Grade 12 diploma or equivalent required.
• Must obtain a valid class 5 drivers license or equivalent.
• Experience in a pulp mill (Woodroom) environment is an asset.
• Experience in cold weather operations.
• Must be able to work at heights and develop the competency to operate all equipment,
• Experience with heavy equipment operation is an asset.
• Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry/Trade certificate is an asset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong critical thinking and logical problem-solving abilities.

Other

• This is a shift work position rotating between day and night shifts.
• Complete Al-Pac specific training that includes physical, technical, and critical thinking components to ensure safe operation.
• Ability to be a critical thinker, analyzing situations and using logic to address issues.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and basic knowledge of root cause analysis.
• Mechanical aptitude beneficial for solving field issues.
• Capable of reading and understanding complex instructions.
• Basic computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Self-motivated, continuous learner focused on procedural and process improvements; desire to learn new areas and face new challenges.
• Confident working under pressure, managing changing priorities and deadlines, and adapting to change.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, multitask, and troubleshoot.

What We Offer

• • A competitive annual salary including a company-paid pension at 7% and matching RRSP up to 3%.
  • Company-paid dental and extended health benefits, including a health care and taxable spending account and supplemental life insurance.
  • Four week’s annual vacation to start, increasing with years of service.
  • Relocation Assistance Program, depending on eligibility.
  • Team-based culture that encourages work-life balance.

Legal Statement

Al-Pac is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. We wish to express our thanks to all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

POSTING DATE: March 17, 2025
JOB NUMBER: 2025-21
HYBRID WORK: Non-Eligible
POSITION TYPE: Short-Term, Non-permanent
LOCATION: Athabasca Area, Alberta

Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc. (Al-Pac) is seeking summer coverage Woodroom Operator’s (5 months) to work out of our mill site near Athabasca, Alberta. The successful candidates are responsible for the safe and efficient operation of mobile equipment, minor operational maintenance and area cleanup.

Who Are We?

Al-Pac is the largest single-line kraft pulp producer in North America. Our mill is located near the communities of Athabasca, Boyle & Lac La Biche. We are leaders in our industry, from our quality products, mill operations and responsible forest management practices, to the way we grow and develop our team members and work with local communities. We are continuously exploring new and innovative ideas, while delivering premium products with a commitment to strong environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility – a commitment that is demonstrated by our long-standing Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certification*.

Role Responsibilities:

• Safely operate a D9 CAT to level the chip pile.
• Woodroom floor work and area housekeeping duties as assigned.
• Perform labour intensive tasks.
• Maintain a clean and efficient workspace.
• Maintenance inspections.
• Hands on maintenance.
• All Woodroom Operators will be required to run the cranes, but not expected with this role.

Role Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Woodroom operations or large heavy equipment operations an asset.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and a clean driver abstract.
• Must be physically fit and able to handle working from heights.
• Must have good hand eye coordination.
• Mechanical aptitude required.
• Capable of being self-managed after a period of training.
• Excellent team skills.

Other:

• This is a shift work position rotating between day and night shifts.

What we offer:

• A competitive hourly salary.
• A team-based culture that encourages work-life balance.

Legal Statement

Al-Pac is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. We wish to express our thanks to all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.