Offshore Roustabout and Roughneck Jobs

Roustabouts

The Roustabout job is the most common entry level occupation for an oil rig’s marine section. Most new hires in the Drilling and Marine Sections start out as Roustabouts. A Roustabout is typically an inexperienced worker who works as a trainee or helper for those in more senior positions. This position is comparable to the Able-bodied Seaman on board a ship. The Roustabout will assist with a variety of work, typically unskilled , which might include maintenance, cleaning rust removal, painting, or learning to direct the huge cranes on board.

After working in an offshore Roustabout position, people typically take one of two paths – to the drill floor, as a Roughneck, or to the Cranes, as an Crane Operator Trainee. He will start in either capacity by serving as relief during meal and coffee breaks, and then be given progressively greater responsibility.

Roughnecks

A Roughneck ( Floorhand ) is the entry level position on an offshore rig’s Drilling section. This is the guy who handles the drilling pipes, connecting them as they drill deeper with huge hydraulic clamps. This is the physically most demanding job of the entire drill crew – one can work hard labor 12 hours straight during a drill operation. Offshore, it is easiest to get a job as a Roustabout first, and many experienced roughnecks will take Roustabout jobs offshore just to prove themselves, and learn the ropes offshore – things are a bit different out in the middle of the ocean.

Wages

Wages for entry-level Roustabouts and Roughnecks run from 50 to 60k

Getting a Roustabout Job Offshore

If you don’t have previous offshore experience, your chances are improved if you have any kind of technical work background. This can include experience as a welder, fitter, engineer, electrician, technician or mechanic. If it is possible, the best way to land an offshore Roustabout job is to apply in person – there are many unadvertised Entry-level jobs offshore. Obviously, the person whose face is in the office asking for work every week or two is going to stand out above all the other applicants.

If visiting the employment offices of offshore drilling contractors isn’t possible for you, then the next best thing is to ensure that your Resume, C\V and Cover Letter are specific to the offshore industry, and to the job you are applying for. We recommend the services of Rigworker and Oil Jobs Guide if you wish to facilitate the process and improve the odds. Thousands have had success when they chose to utilize the Resume \ CV submittal service from The Oil and Gas Jobs Resource Kit or Rigworker . Both charge a nominal fee for their services, $40 – $60, but they are honest, legitimate companies, and their services have been tested multiple times, with a job offer (or several) being the standard result. While they make no guarantees of getting hired, they do guarantee your satisfaction with their services, and you will get far more for the small investment than anywhere else on the internet.

To be avoided are programs that charge hundreds of dollars for the same thing.

Offshore \ Oil Rig Roustabout \ Roughneck Training Programs – Greenhand Courses

There are several training programs available designed to prepare applicants without offshore or oil industry experience for a Roustabout position. Offshore, the Roustabout position is the most common entry level job in the oil rig’s marine section. Working as a Roustabout requires one to be physically fit and capable of performing strenuous manual labor, in all weather conditions. Those without experience are termed greenhands. The term originates from the custom on some rigs to make inexperienced employees wear a green hat so that they may be distinguished to the other employees as being new, so allowances can be made for the greenhand not being aware of all the regulations and requirements specific to offshore work.

Maritime Drilling Schools Unlimited

Floorman ( Roughneck ) training. This school offers a 20 day program taught in Nova Scotia, Canada. The 20 day course of instruction in Pre Employment Floorman (Roughneck) Training will consist of drilling programs, hands-on rig training, and industry safety programs. Life skills and job readiness will also be included during the program. This program is available for Americans. The Floorman course costs $ 3.750.00 Canadian, plus $250.00 for books and a $200.00 registration fee. Accommodations, if required, are $600.00.

Métis Nation BC (MNBC)

Pre-Employment Floorman (Roughneck) training. Probably the best program available – you will find work after completing this program. This Pre-Employment Floorman (Roughneck) Training Program will provide students with a comprehensive training program that is tailored specifically for the drilling industry. Students will learn how to safely operate and maintain drilling equipment and the job functions that are relevant to drill floor and deck crew operations. Students will also learn the skills of a Roustabout and Lease hand with a high emphasis on Oilrig safety. Training is located in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. All-inclusive cost for the course is Canadian $ 8,650 including meals and accommodation for 24 days.

Atlantic Petroleum Training College

Floorhand / Roughneck training. Training is hands-on and takes place on a working onshore drilling oil rig in Nova Scotia. They offer a certificate program in oilfield training. This program provides an opportunity for unskilled individuals to take advantage of quality hands-on training to begin a successful career in the oil and gas industry. This program provides the knowledge and skills to work safely and productively as part of an oilrig team. In addition to the core program, mandatory H2S Alive and 2-day Standard First Aid with Level A are given. Potential earnings for an individual starting in this dynamic industry can exceed $60,000 per year.

For those seeking oil rig work either offshore or on land, opportunities continue to grow, even with the economic slowdown. Half of the current workforce in the oil and gas industry is retiring in the next 10 years. This is creating a huge labor shortage for the energy companies and drilling contractors, and a huge opportunity for those seeking jobs offshore and on land. There has never been a better time for either experienced or entry-level workers to find an oil rig job or offshore job.

This growing workforce shortage is creating a groundswell of opportunity for catering personnel who would like to find an offshore catering job. Offshore catering employment in 2009 – 2010 is expected to accelerate as the economy begins turning around. While all job categories are experiencing vacancies and shortages, the opportunities are particularly good for offshore cooking jobs and other catering personnel.

There are many openings for a variety of offshore oil field catering positions, including Chefs, cooks, assistant cooks, night bakers, galley hands, stewards and stewardesses, housekeeping and cleaning staff. Offshore catering is typically contracted out and managed by catering and food service companies. The catering contractor is responsible for all food service, to include meals, snacks, and special Holiday requirements. Additionally, the offshore catering service manages the cleaning and upkeep of the kitchen and chow hall, as well as the recreational \ common areas and sleeping quarters. The following jobs are in high demand and available now.

Offshore Catering Jobs, Duties and Wages

Camp Boss

The Camp Boss is responsible for running the catering department. He oversees the chefs, cooks, night bakers, stewards, and housekeepers. The rig crew work long, hard hours, and an important part of running the operation is ensuring they have adequate energy and good morale. Ensuring that the kitchen puts out great tasting and nutritious food is what the Camp Boss does every day. He is assisted in this responsibility with a small crew of Chefs, Cooks, Night Bakers, Galley Hands and Stewards \ Stewardesses. Four to Six main courses are prepared and served every 24 hours, split into 12 hour shifts, so that both shifts get good meals. The Camp Boss also manages the Stewards and Stewardesses, ensuring that the rig’s recreation areas, downtime areas and, living quarters are kept clean, and the laundry completed.

Chef \ Head Cook

For the Chef or Lead Cook position, while previous offshore experience isn’t a requirement, previous cooking experience is. The quality of offshore food preparation is often comparable to the fare one would receive in the nicer Hotels and Restaurants; the food is good, nutritious, and there is lots of it. The Chef plays an important role in keeping morale high among the drilling crews; looking forward to a good meal goes a long way in maintaining job satisfaction. Therefore, for the Chef position, the catering contractor will wish to look at resumes of those with fine dining and Chef or Sous Chef experience; experience managing a kitchen is a must. This is not an entry-level cooking position, one is expected to have a proven record of preparing quality food. However, those with less experience will be considered for the Galley Hand or Assistant Cook or Sous Chef position. Salaries run from the mid 60s – 70s, depending on the rig, the catering service company one is working for, and experience

Night Baker

This is a very important position on the rig. All bread onboard is baked by the night baker, as well as pastries, muffins and desserts. On smaller rigs, this may be rolled up with the Assistant Cook \ Sous Chef as one job; on larger rigs, the positions will be two separate jobs. Offshore Night Baker wages will run from the 50s to 60s.

Assistant Cook

Most people with experience seeking an offshore cooking job will start here. The Assistant Cook will work the night shift. This is a great position in which to obtain one’s first offshore job. The Assistant Cook will prepare meals according to the recipes and directions of the Chef or Lead Cook. If you do a good job, and prove capable of running the kitchen in the Chef’s absence, you can move into a Lead Cook or Chef’s position fairly quickly. Offshore Assistant Cook wages \ salary will range from the mid 50s to mid 60s.

Galley Hand

If you have worked as a dishwasher or busboy in a Hotel or Restaurant for any decent amount of time, you can qualify of an Offshore Galley Hand job. This is a great way to get a foot in the door for those wishing to progress up to Chef or Head Cook – as on the mainland, many Offshore Chefs have gotten their start in the industry by starting at the bottom and working their way up. Offshore Galley Hand wages \ salary will range from the mid 40s to mid 50s.

Cleaning \ Housekeeping Staff

Generally speaking, anyone with mainland experience in a janitorial or housekeeping position, especially in industrial facilities or hotels, can qualify for an offshore job in the same capacity. It is not uncommon for people wanting to break into the industry to accept a cleaning or housekeeping job, get to know people, and then, when the opportunity arises, advancing into a position of greater responsibility. This could be a supply room job, a roustabout job, or moving up the ladder to become a maintenance supervisor. It is quite common for people to start in this sort of position and then make a career in the offshore oil industry, moving in whatever direction they choose. A great way to get the proverbial foot in the door. Offshore Janitorial and Cleaning \ Housekeeping wages \ salary will range from the mid 40s to mid 50s.

Steward

The Steward \ Stewardess position is essentially a combination of Galley Hand and Janitorial \ Housekeeping responsibilities. On small rigs, these jobs may be rolled into one, and that would be the role of Steward. Offshore Steward \ Stewardess wages \ salary will range from the mid 40s to mid 50s.

Getting Hired for Offshore Catering Jobs and Offshore Cooking Jobs

The Oil and Gas Jobs Resource Kit is designed as a toolkit for those who wish to go to work in the oil industry, regardless of the position or location. Produced by http://OilJobsGuide.com, the Oil and Gas Jobs Resource Kit is the best resource of its kind available for any price. The Oil and Gas Jobs Resource Kit oil company hiring contacts,recruiter contacts, job listing resources, and web sites you can post your resume on for free.

For more information on getting started in an offshore career path, Rigworker provides excellent offshore jobs finding and placement services, for all disciplines and job categories.

For someone with no experience in oil industry work, starting salaries today are ranging from $50,000 to $60,000. When you consider this pay level is for working only 6 months out of the year, the appeal of oil field or offshore work becomes very understandable. Entry-level positions start at $800 to $1,000 per week. Stewards and Galleyhands (the guys who clean the living quarters, dining hall, wash dishes, stock inventory and do general kitchen help) earn $700-800 per week. General labor, or Roustabouts make from $900 to $1100 per week. Some of the other jobs available for entry level personel include deckhands, oilers, welder helpers, cleaner painters and more.

Locations and Current Job Openings

There are many job openings, in particular in Canada and Nigeria, as well as Dubai \ UAE (United Arab Emerites). In Canada, several new offshore platforms are being put into place off the coast of Nova Scotia, and they are now hiring for all postions, no offshore experience required. Also in Canada, the Alberta tar sands projects generate a huge, constant hiring demand; if you are willing to get a work visa, you can get a job just by driving out there). The Nigeria offshore projects are always hiring, and the pay is extremely high, among the highest in the world.
Some of the other locations currently hiring include Texas (Houston being the main hiring center), Louisiana, the North sea \ United Kingdom, Louisiana (offshore and onshore), the Gulf of Mexico (offshore), Norway, Alaska (both offshore and on the North Slope), Florida, Kuwait, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia (always hiring), and the favorite of many, Australia (offshore). Australia is a particularly great work location of many, as the pay is among the highest in the world, yet the cost of living is relatively low in Australia. Guys that get on Australia rigs typically don’t come home for a very, very long time.

For more in-depth information on current wages, please see Rigworker or Oil Jobs Guide – 2009 Edition ..

CADC CURRENT WAGE SCHEDULE

The Oil and Gas Jobs Resource Kit is designed as a toolkit for those who wish to go to work in the oil industry, regardless of the position or location. Produced by http://OilJobsGuide.com, the Oil and Gas Jobs Resource Kit is the best resource of its kind available for any price. The Oil and Gas Jobs Resource Kit oil company hiring contacts,recruiter contacts, job listing resources, and web sites you can post your resume on for free.

For those considering employment in this arena, either offshore or in the oil patch, the industry insiders at RIGWORKER provide a comprehensive resource for getting hired.