There are a large number of offshore oil rig jobs available on the market. The various positions available include the following:
- Crane Operator
- Derrickman
- Drilling Engineer
- Floor Hand
- Geologist
- Medic
- Motorman
- Mud Engineer
- Oil Driller
- Oiler
- Painter
- Pipeline Engineer
- Radio Operator
- Rig Electrician
- Rig Mechanic
- Rig Operator
- Roughneck
- Roustabout
- ROV Operator
- Subsea Engineer
- Toolpusher
- Welder
- Well Site Engineer
- Winch Operator
Many offshore jobs require physical work. Candidates should be physically fit and often must show mechanical aptitude and ability to use tools. However there are many advantages for a rig job. For example, your employer will provide housing during days you work. Additionally the company usually takes care of all living expenses including food, recreation and even laundry expenses. In good companies the accommodation, services etc. will be equivalent to a reasonably good luxury hotel.
How is the life and work in an offshore platform?
Your work will be based on shifts. There are various combinations of work. For example you may be 20 days on (working) and 10 days off (not working), or 30 days on and 30 days off. The shifts depend on the type of the job and the company you are working for. While you are working, the employer will provide almost all your expenses. Often there will be a crew change location which is located onshore, from where you will be flown in a helicopter, often hundreds of miles into the deep sea to the offshore platform when your shift begins. You will be dropped back at the crew change location after completing the 20 or 30 day shift.
You will have a living quarter with bed and bath as well as a gallery which serves food several times a day. Depending on the size of the offshore platform and number of workers living in, you can expect to find a gym, sauna as well as a lounge with TVs receiving programming through satellites.
Training and skill requirements
There are some very skilled jobs and several moderately low skilled jobs among the various offshore jobs. For example ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) operators are some of very skilled people. The highly skilled jobs require significant training and experience. But jobs such as scaffold builder, painters etc require only limited skills and experience. For example, scaffold builder positions require, less than high school education; and up to a month of related experience or training. It can even be an equivalent combination of education and experience.
If you have an associate degree and training and experience in a related onshore job then it will be easier for you to apply and get an offshore oil rig job. The related experience can be welding, crane operation, painting, scaffolding, radio operation etc. If you have an engineering degree in fields such as electrical, mechanical etc. then you will get significantly lucrative opportunities.
Preparation for offshore job – Training and Certifications
Training and Certifications such as Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET) or Helicopter Underwater Egress Training (HUET) will provide you and edge over other applicants. For U.S. workers, the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card is needed to work in offshore platforms. The TWIC card is a biometric identification card issued by TSA (Transportation Security Administration).Before issuing a TWIC card, the TSA will conduct a security assessment on you to make sure that you are not a security threat to access sensitive maritime locations and facilities.
Finding offshore job positions
Friends and acquaintances: If you know anyone currently working in the offshore oil industry, it will provide you with the best opportunity for getting an offshore job. Ask around, it can be even a distant relative or a friend of a friend. They will be able to provide you with firsthand information about the job opportunities and the qualifications needed to get one. Additionally they can also provide you with very valuable contact information.
Facebook: Many people waste their valuable time on Facebook idling and playing games. However Facebook is a goldmine for people looking for offshore jobs. There are many offshore workers on Facebook. Additionally there are several offshore job groups which routinely post offshore job opportunities. You can search for keywords such as “Offshore Job Group” to find such groups and join them so that you will get a frequent update on offshore jobs.
Job Boards: Monster, Career Builder, Indeed etc. have thousands of offshore oil rig job openings. Review those job opportunities carefully and see the frequently required qualifications for the positions you are seeking. Make sure to acquire the qualifications the employers are looking for the positions you want to apply.
Offshore Job Portals: There are several offshore job portals on the internet which are dedicated to provide up to date listing of offshore oil jobs. Make sure they send you directly to the job opening by a legitimate company before you apply for the job on a Job Portal.
Applying for offshore jobs
Put a good deal of effort and care when preparing your resume. Make sure to list all relevant onshore jobs and experience you already have. Indicate all the relevant safety training and certifications.
Make sure to follow all the instructions for submitting your job application. Sometime you will be filling an online application, other times you may be emailing your application.