No Experience Camp Jobs (Alberta): Dishwashing & Housekeeping

The "Alberta Advantage" is legendary: You go north, you work hard, and you come back rich.

Most people think you need to be a Heavy Equipment Operator or a Welder to get these jobs. You don't.

For every engineer on an oil site, there are five people cooking their dinner, making their bed, and mopping the hallways. These are Camp Support Services jobs. They require zero experience, zero education, and often pay double what you would earn doing the same job in a city.

The secret weapon? Expenses.

In a camp job, your rent is $0. Your food is $0. Your commute is a 2-minute walk. If you are looking for jobs that hire fast and let you bank 100% of your paycheck, this is the best strategy in Canada.

Whether you are a newcomer or a student on summer break, here is how to get hired in the Oil Sands without touching a drill.

1. The "Big Three" Support Roles

You aren't applying to "Suncor" or "Syncrude." You are applying to the contractors that run the lodges.

Housekeeping (The "Camp Attendant")

• The Job: Cleaning bedrooms (making beds, vacuuming) for the workers while they are on shift.
• The Pay: $20 – $26 per hour.
• The Reality: It is easier than hotel cleaning because camp rooms are tiny (often called "Jack and Jills").
• Street Tip: Housekeepers are often the first to get hired because turnover is high.

Kitchen Helper / Dishwasher (The "Sandwich Artist")

• The Job: Washing massive pots, peeling potatoes, or making hundreds of sandwiches for lunch bags.
• The Pay: $21 – $27 per hour.
• The Perks: You have unlimited access to the kitchen. The "Camp 15" (gaining 15lbs) is real because the food is all-you-can-eat.

Janitor (The "Common Area" Cleaner)

• The Job: Cleaning the gym, the recreation room, and the hallways.
• The Pay: $22 – $28 per hour.
• The Vibe: Lower stress than the kitchen. You usually work alone with headphones.

2. Who Hires? (The Companies)

Stop searching Indeed for "Oil Jobs." Go directly to the careers pages of these four companies. They control 90% of the camp market.

1. Civeo: The giant of the industry. They own massive lodges like Wapasu Creek.
2. Sodexo: A global facilities company. They run the kitchens and cleaning for many sites.
3. Aramark: Heavy presence in remote camps.
4. Horizon North (Dexterra): Known for modular camps and rapid hiring.

3. The Schedule: 14/7 and "Hub Cities"

This is the most confusing part for beginners.

The Rotation:

Most entry-level jobs run on a 14-and-7 or 21-and-7 schedule.

• You work 14 days straight (10–12 hours a day).
• You fly home for 7 days off.

The "Hub City" Rule:

Companies will not fly you from Toronto or Vancouver for an entry-level dishwashing job.

• You must get yourself to the "Hub." Usually Edmonton or Calgary.
• The Flight: The company pays for the flight from Edmonton to the Camp (e.g., Firebag Aerodrome).
• Your Cost: You pay to get to Edmonton.

Comparison Table: City Job vs. Camp Job

Practical Questions Answered

"Do they drug test for kitchen staff?"

YES. 100%.

It is a "Safety Sensitive" site. Even if you are just peeling potatoes, you are on an industrial site.

• The Test: You must pass a pre-employment urine or swab test. Cannabis (THC) is legal in Canada but banned on most oil sites. If you fail, you are blacklisted.

"Is it safe for women?"

Consensus: Yes.

Modern camps (Civeo/Sodexo) are very strict. They are "Dry Camps" (Zero Alcohol). Harassment policies are zero-tolerance. Women make up a large percentage of the housekeeping and kitchen staff.

• Internal Link: This is often cited as one of the best jobs for women looking to enter the trades environment safely.

"Is the internet good?"

It varies.

Most lodges have free Wi-Fi, but it can be slow in the evenings when 2,000 workers are trying to FaceTime home. Bring a hard drive full of movies just in case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a driver's license for camp jobs?

For housekeeping and kitchen roles, no. You fly in and walk to work inside the lodge. However, having a valid ID is mandatory for the flights. If you apply for a "Labourer" job outside the lodge, a Driver's License (Class 5) is usually required.

What certificates do I need?

For kitchen/cleaning jobs, you usually need:

1. CSTS-2020 (Construction Safety Training System): Free online.
2. WHMIS 2015: Hazardous materials safety.
3. Food Safe (Level 1): Essential for kitchen roles. You do not generally need H2S Alive or First Aid for indoor support roles, though they look good on a resume.

Can I live in the camp permanently?

No. You must leave on your "days off." You cannot stay in your room during your rotation break. This is why you need a permanent address (or a friend's couch) in Edmonton or Calgary to return to.

How do I apply?

Do not email. Go to the Sodexo or Civeo websites. Look for "Remote Site" or "Camp Services" listings. Upload a resume that highlights reliability and physical fitness (e.g., "Able to lift 50lbs," "Available for 14 day shifts").

About the author

Jeff Calixte (MC Yow-Z) is a Canadian career researcher and digital entrepreneur who studies hiring trends, labour market data, and real entry-level opportunities across Canada. He specializes in simplifying the job search for newcomers, students, and workers using practical, up-to-date information.

Sources

• Civeo Careers: https://civeo.com/careers/
• Sodexo Canada (Remote Sites): https://ca.sodexo.com/careers
• Energy Safety Canada (CSTS Training): https://www.energysafetycanada.com/

Note:

Job availability, wages, and hiring conditions can vary widely by province, employer, season, and experience level. All salary ranges and job examples in this guide are estimates based on current labour market data. Always confirm details directly with the employer before applying.