Skilled Labourer (Airport) - Temporary (Up to 12 Months)

City of Kingston; Eastern Ontario; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A municipality in Canada is seeking a temporary Skilled Labourer (Airport) for up to 12 months. The role involves maintaining airport surfaces and equipment, operating heavy machinery, and ensuring safety compliance. Candidates with experience in airport maintenance, a high school diploma, and a valid Class DZ Driver's License are encouraged to apply. The position offers 40 hours per week, with a salary range of $27.81 - $34.03/hour.

Qualifications

• 3 years' experience in airport maintenance or heavy equipment operation.
• Valid Class DZ Driver’s License required.
• Chainsaw Certification required to be obtained.

Responsibilities

• Inspect and maintain airport asphalt surfaces.
• Control bird and wildlife populations at the airport.
• Participate in safety and emergency response programs.

Skills

Ability to operate heavy and complex equipment

Strong situational awareness

Adherence to federal regulations

Safe use of anti-icing and de-icing chemicals

Understanding of Safety Management Systems

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

Heavy equipment

Job description

Job Title

Job Title: Skilled Labourer (Airport) - Temporary (Up to 12 Months)

Job Number: J1125-0011

Job Code: 09A253

Job Category: Heavy Equipment Operator

Location: On site - Kingston Airport

Bargaining Unit: CUPE

Job Type: Temporary

Employment Type: Replacement

Number Of Positions: 1

Contract Duration: Up to 12 months

Hours Of Work: 40 hrs/wk

Probationary Rate: $22.68

Salary: $27.81 - $34.03/Hour

Date Posted: November 4, 2025

Closing Date: November 12, 2025

Opening Statement

The City of Kingston is grateful to experience the traditional territories of Anishinabek (Ah-nish-nah-beg), Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-o-show-nee) and Huron-Wendat (huron-wen·dat). Kingston is a smart, livable city in the heart of eastern Ontario. Its stable and diversified economy includes global corporations, innovative start‑ups and all levels of government.

At the City of Kingston, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential elements of a thriving workplace. We value the unique perspectives and experiences that each individual brings to our team. As we continue to grow, we are dedicated to creating an environment where all employees feel welcomed, respected, and empowered to contribute their best work. The City of Kingston views diversity as its strength and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented communities.

As staff, you play a pivotal role in enhancing people's lives by delivering exceptional, customer‑centered services of the highest quality. Within our highly ethical environment, you'll embrace accountability by consistently going above and beyond, actively listening to our customers, creatively addressing their needs, and maintaining unwavering respect for all individuals you serve. As a result, you'll become an integral part of our qualified and dynamic team, recognized for its compassion, excellence, integrity, inclusivity, and adaptability.

Position Summary

Note this is a temporary position covering full‑time hours for up to 12 months.

The Skilled Labourer – Airport is responsible for maintaining airport surfaces (runways, aprons, taxiways and grounds), buildings, lighting systems, and equipment in operable and safe conditions in accordance with Canadian and international aviation standards. This position will inspect and perform minor maintenance on heavy and light equipment to maximize performance, minimize operating costs and extend life of the equipment. The Skilled Labourer – Airport is required to operate a wide variety of heavy and light equipment in a complex environment and perform daily inspections of airfield structures including pavements, grounds, fencing and security gates. This position will minimize risks of wildlife strikes by aircraft through grounds maintenance, scaring techniques and other mitigation methods. The Skilled Labourer – Airport will prepare publicly disseminated electronic condition reports on runway winter surface conditions, particularly during winter airfield surface maintenance.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Inspect and maintain airport asphalt surfaces through the use of heavy and light equipment and material applications (anti‑icing and de‑icing chemicals, asphalt or concrete, etc.)
• Inspect and maintain runways, taxiways, aprons and groundside paved surfaces, conducting tests to determine runway braking conditions, presence of foreign objects that might damage aircraft, and the condition of airfield lighting, drainage and signage systems
• Perform landscaping duties to keep the airport presentable to the public and safe from wildlife
• Evaluate the operating condition of light and heavy equipment and assess the requirement to make minor repairs or referral to City mechanics
• Control bird and wildlife populations at the airport
• Install and maintain fences and gates surrounding the airport
• Participate in the implementation of airport safety, security and environmental management systems and emergency response programs
• Perform minor earthworks and landscaping with the use of heavy equipment
• Maintain grass lengths to optimize bird and wildlife management techniques
• Manage natural growth on airport property (trees, brush, etc)
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications, Competencies

• High School (Grade 12) diploma or equivalent
• 3 years’ experience in airport maintenance or experience operating heavy equipment and vehicles for the purpose of snow removal (winter control operations). This equipment could include but is not limited to plow truck (5 ton or more), loader, tractor, pull‑behind sweeper
• Valid Class DZ Driver’s License with a satisfactory Driver's Abstract
• Airport Vehicle Operating Permit to be obtained
• Chainsaw Certification to be obtained
• WHMIS Certification
• Wildlife Control Course to be undertaken
• Fall Protection Certification to be obtained
• Runway Surface Condition Reporting Certification to be undertaken
• Runway friction index measuring and reporting Certification to be obtained
• Occupational Health & Safety Competent Person Certificate to be obtained
• Ability to obtain a Firearms Acquisition Certificate
• Must demonstrate corporate values of Belonging, Collaboration, Accountability, and Innovation
• Qualified candidates will be contacted and required to pass the associated written and driving tests in order to move onto the interview. As a condition of employment, all new hires will be required to complete the pre‑trip inspection training and pass the pre‑trip inspection testing within 30 working days of starting position

Skills, Abilities, Work Demands

• Ability to operate heavy and complex equipment in close proximity to aircraft under adverse conditions, while maintaining a strong sense of situational awareness from inputs such as radio control from Nav Canada, listening to air/ground frequencies for broadcasts from aircraft in the vicinity of the airport and radio communications from others in the work team
• Ability to understand and adhere to guidelines and procedures, many in accordance with federal regulations
• Ability to decide on appropriate use of anti‑icing and de‑icing chemicals to improve runway braking conditions
• Ability to safely use a variety of bird and wildlife scare and removal techniques and materials (such as pyrotechnics) to reduce the risk of bird or wildlife damage to aircraft
• Ability to understand and practice Safety Management System processes to minimize risks to aviation safety and Workplace Occupational Safety processes to minimize injury to self or others
• Operation of a vehicle‑based computer system for reporting runway surface conditions to aviators
• Ability to interpret complex standards and recommended practices in order to determine if Transport Canada standards are being met, and recommend to supervisor appropriate course of action if not met
• Ability to work rotating shifts including days, evenings, weekends and holidays
• Able to perform the essential duties of the job such as shoveling snow
• Must obtain and maintain a satisfactory criminal record check

Closing Statement

Please inform us of any accommodations we need to make to ensure a barrier‑free recruitment experience. Accommodations are available in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC)and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) at any stage in the recruitment process. We’re happy to provide more information if you email us at [e-mail].

Please apply to Career Opportunities at: www.cityofkingston.ca/Careers

Your résumé must demonstrate how you meet position requirements. Please upload to your profile any educational Degrees, Diplomas and/or Certificates that are relevant and required for the position. We thank all who apply, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. Information collected will be handled in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Please ensure to check any spam or junk folders for any emails coming from a City of Kingston account.

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