Powerhouse Operator

Powerhouse operators are responsible for safe and efficient steam production on site. We have approximately 22 positions at our milling operations in Northern Saskatchewan: 10 at Rabbit Lake and 12 at Key Lake. Powerhouse operators ensure proper distribution of steam to meet process and heating demands. They do regular maintenance on steam production equipment and are also responsible for operating the sulphuric acid plant and mill control room, critical components of the milling process. Other duties include operational checks on air compressors, HVAC units and water treatment. We also have seven operating engineers at our Port Hope Conversion Facility in Ontario working in a similar role.

Cameco’s Key Lake and Rabbit Lake mills are classified by the Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan (TSASK) as first-class steam plants. Given this classification, we require a first-class foreman and second-class shift engineer to be on each shift, along with a number of third-class operators. We have specialized educational and training requirements of our powerhouse operators.

The position comes in four levels, according to education, training and experience, and Cameco supports employees’ growth within the company. A powerhouse helper with a fourth class engineer’s certificate can progress all the way up to a shift engineer with a second class engineer’s certificate, who is responsible for overseeing the crew. On-site trainers are available to support employees upgrading their trade qualifications.

Like most positions at our operational sites in Northern Saskatchewan, powerhouse operators work a rotational week on/week off schedule and commute to site by plane. Those at our Port Hope, Ont. location work a regular weekly schedule.