Excavator/Dozer Operator

Zohorecruit; Fort McMurray; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Primus Workforce Ltd. is seeking an experienced Heavy Equipment Operator in Fort McMurray, Alberta to support exploration, mining, and civil projects. You will operate dozers and mini excavators, perform earthmoving tasks, and help maintain roads and laydown areas on active sites.

The role requires strong safety awareness and the ability to work outdoors in varying conditions. Responsibilities include following grade and survey markers, coordinating with supervision and crews, and performing

Qualifications

• Ground Disturbance certification or equivalent.
• Construction safety training certification.
• Standard First Aid and CPR certification.
• Experience operating large production dozers and additional heavy equipment.
• Previous mining, civil infrastructure, utility installation, reclamation, or large-scale earthworks experience.
• Experience around underground utilities and buried infrastructure.
• Outdoor work on active construction, mining, earthworks, excavation, utility, and reclamation projects.
• Physically demanding work with climbing, standing, and lifting.

Responsibilities

• Operate dozers and mini excavators to perform excavation, trenching, grading, backfilling, site preparation, and earthmoving activities.
• Push overburden, soil, sand, muskeg, and other materials while maintaining grade and slope requirements.
• Construct, maintain, and repair haul roads, access roads, work pads, lease sites, and laydown areas.
• Read and follow grade stakes, survey markings, project drawings, laser systems, and GPS machine control when applicable.
• Safely excavate around underground utilities and follow all ground disturbance procedures.
• Maintain safe trench conditions through proper sloping, benching, shoring, and excavation practices.
• Rip frost, hardpan, and other difficult ground conditions as required by project demands.
• Load, move, stockpile, and place materials, spoil, and debris throughout the work area.
• Support reclamation, environmental, and land restoration projects, including topsoil placement and contouring.
• Conduct daily equipment inspections, walkarounds, and routine maintenance activities, including greasing and fluid checks.
• Report equipment deficiencies, hazards, incidents, and near misses promptly.
• Participate in daily safety meetings, hazard assessments, toolbox talks, and other site safety initiatives.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Dozer operation

Mini excavator operation

Safety compliance

Independent work

Education

Ground Disturbance certification

Construction safety training certification

Standard First Aid and CPR certification

Tools

GPS machine control

Laser systems

Survey equipment

Job description

Fort McMurray, Canada | Posted on 10/05/2026

Primus Workforce Ltd. provides safety-minded, experienced personnel support throughout the oil & gas, construction, and technical trades sectors to serve our clients' long-term and short-term contingency needs. We are a growing and dynamic company to work with providing you with the key to your future success.

The Role

We are seeking experienced Heavy Equipment Operators to support a variety of construction, civil, mining, earthworks, excavation, and reclamation projects. This role requires the safe and efficient operation of dozers, mini excavators, and other heavy equipment to complete grading, trenching, road maintenance, site preparation, excavation, and material movement activities.

The successful candidate will work closely with supervisors, survey crews, spotters, and ground personnel to ensure projects are completed safely, accurately, and on schedule while maintaining productivity and quality standards.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Operate dozers and mini excavators to perform excavation, trenching, grading, backfilling, site preparation, and earthmoving activities.
• Push overburden, soil, sand, muskeg, and other materials while maintaining grade and slope requirements.
• Construct, maintain, and repair haul roads, access roads, work pads, lease sites, and laydown areas.
• Read and follow grade stakes, survey markings, project drawings, laser systems, and GPS machine control when applicable.
• Safely excavate around underground utilities and follow all ground disturbance procedures.
• Maintain safe trench conditions through proper sloping, benching, shoring, and excavation practices.
• Rip frost, hardpan, and other difficult ground conditions as required by project demands.
• Load, move, stockpile, and place materials, spoil, and debris throughout the work area.
• Support reclamation, environmental, and land restoration projects, including topsoil placement and contouring.
• Conduct daily equipment inspections, walkarounds, and routine maintenance activities, including greasing and fluid checks.
• Report equipment deficiencies, hazards, incidents, and near misses promptly.
• Participate in daily safety meetings, hazard assessments, toolbox talks, and other site safety initiatives.

What You Bring

• Experience operating dozers, mini excavators, or other heavy equipment in construction, mining, civil, earthworks, utility, or reclamation environments.
• Proven ability to trench, excavate, grade, and maintain slopes with minimal supervision.
• Strong understanding of excavation, trenching, grading, and earthmoving techniques.
• Experience working safely around heavy equipment, vehicle traffic, utilities, and active construction operations.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining productivity and safety standards.
• Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather and site conditions.
• Ability to meet project-specific site access requirements, including required testing and orientations.
• CSA-approved safety footwear and standard personal protective equipment (PPE).

Qualifications

• Ground Disturbance certification or equivalent.
• Construction safety training certification.
• Standard First Aid and CPR certification.
• Experience operating large production dozers and additional heavy equipment.
• Previous experience on mining, civil infrastructure, utility installation, reclamation, or large-scale earthworks projects.
• Experience working around underground utilities and buried infrastructure
• Outdoor work on active construction, mining, earthworks, excavation, utility, and reclamation projects.
• Physically demanding work involving climbing, standing, walking on uneven terrain, bending, lifting, and prolonged equipment operation.
• Exposure to varying weather conditions and challenging ground environments throughout the year.
• Work may involve rotational schedules, extended shifts, day or night work, and camp-based or local projects depending on operational requirements.
• Strong safety-focused work environment with regular hazard assessments, safety meetings, and ongoing compliance with company and site safety standards.