If a survey office tech from the US was looking for work in Edmonton who should they call?
An Edmonton Surveyor A
A few years back I was courted by a pipeline engineering firm out of Colorado Springs to work in the oil fields a few hundred miles North of Edmonton. 20 days on living in barrack type housing, 20 days off and they'd fly me back & forth for the off time. Not enough money, and I certainly didn't want to move there based on a 1 yr contract.
I looked through my files, but couldn't find their name. Another hot spot is Minoit, ND. My guess is there are some serious players there too with connections in Edmonton.
A shrink?
My understanding is that it is much more difficult for a technician to get a work permit than a licensed professional due to the specific employment provisions in the NAFTA agreement for professionals.
I believe technicians need a labor market impact assessment showing need for foreign workers in that skill and apply for a work permit at a consulate office, then have all the permits approved while in the states.
A licensed surveyor just needs a letter offering employment and proof of licensure and all the work permit paperwork is processed at the border crossing in 30 minutes or so.
I have distant cousins in Edmonton, and the conversations seem to be about the winters being so cold. I remember -56 on one of their Christmas cards - brrrrr!
too darn cold for me.
I believe Midwest Surveys and Focus Corporation are two of the larger firms hiring throughout western Canada.
Good luck . .
ALLNORTH IS A LARGE CANADIAN ENGINEERING SURVEY OUTFIT
STEPHEN FIDIOW WAS A CONTACT I MADE WITH THEM IN 2012 MY PROBLEM WAS NOT HAVING A LISCENSE THERE ARE WAYS AROUND THAT BUT IT TAKES TIME....
Hi Norman
The HR teams at the mid-sized and larger firms in Alberta are well practiced in searching for and hiring qualified technical staff (party chiefs, drafters, checkers, mappers, etc) from outside Canada and bringing them into the fold.
Look at the careers portal on the web site of Alberta surveying and engineering companies for available work in your field and apply.
Do not hesitate to follow up directly and ask about the opportunities.
Scott
myself and my company are based out of Edmonton. yep its cold!
the larger firms that do pretty much everything are...
-focus
-stantec
-opus/stewart weir
-challenger geomatics
-amec
then there are a ton of companies doing mainly oilfield work
-midwest
-explore
-allwest
there are some smaller companies around like mine Hagen Surveys also Pals Geomatics come to mind we do a little bit of everything aswell.
it is insanely busy here right now. currently booking 15 crews for 2-3 weeks.
> Scott
We don't hear from you much lately, Scott. More's the pity. Thanks for replying.
> it is insanely busy here right now. currently booking 15 crews for 2-3 weeks.
I understand that when the ground freezes hard enough to support a snowmobile the busy season starts.
What about instrument operators/rodman from the states? Are there opportunities for work for us?
Yes, that's mainly who they are looking for, and party chiefs. Plenty of people who want to sit in the trailer and make configurations on plans; not enough people to stand out in the cold and drive stakes in to the frozen ground.
truth. i could take 2-3 of each right now no problem.
> > it is insanely busy here right now. currently booking 15 crews for 2-3 weeks.
> I understand that when the ground freezes hard enough to support a snowmobile the busy season starts.
if you work in pipeline then yes that is true once the ground freezes it gives access to the muskeg areas not accessible normally. also crops that now wont be damaged. for my company summer is our busy season ( residential/commercial/industrial/civil construction ) the winter is pretty slow...thankfully.....means i can hang out in the warm office.
> My understanding is that it is much more difficult for a technician to get a work permit than a licensed professional due to the specific employment provisions in the NAFTA agreement for professionals.
>
> I believe technicians need a labor market impact assessment showing need for foreign workers in that skill and apply for a work permit at a consulate office, then have all the permits approved while in the states.
>
> A licensed surveyor just needs a letter offering employment and proof of licensure and all the work permit paperwork is processed at the border crossing in 30 minutes or so.
I believe the NAFTA agreement also include technicians and technologists with formal college education.
hijack - if you get a chance, please email me about Norman Oklahoma surveying.
thanks
Warren Ward, PLS
Send me an email. Most of our Alberta branch offices have current openings for:
Geomatics Technologist, Party Chiefs
Party Chiefs
Survey Assistants
Stantec's world headquarters is in Edmonton. Their surveying department is amazing. They created their own VRS up there back in '08. I worked for them in SoCal for a number of years. Every time I had an opportunity to meet with any of their Canadian Surveyors, they were truly good folk.
I would be shocked if they were not looking for people right now.
~Raybies
