Temporary (3 months) Public Works Operator

Town of Falher; Town of Falher; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Meaningful community work

Supportive team environment

Job summary

Town of Falher is seeking a hands-on Public Works Operator for a 3‑month temporary assignment in Alberta. The role covers equipment operation, road maintenance, and utility system support, with on-call rotation and potential specializations. Immediate start available after selection.

The ideal candidate will have a valid Class 5 license, First Aid/CPR/AED, mechanical aptitude, and proficiency with MS Office. Safety and reliability are essential in all weather conditions.

Qualifications

• Valid Class 5 driver's license (or Class 3 with air brake endorsement if Grader/Equipment Focus).
• First Aid, CPR-C and AED certification or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
• Mechanically inclined with ability to troubleshoot and perform routine maintenance on equipment.
• Proficiency with technology including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Operate municipal equipment (wheel loaders, backhoes, street sweepers, skid steers, gravel trucks, lawn care equipment).
• Perform road maintenance, snow removal, sanding and pothole patching.
• Maintain drainage systems, culverts, sidewalks, driveways, ditches and storm sewers; repair as needed.
• Support water distribution and wastewater maintenance; hydrant servicing and valve exercising.

Skills

Valid driver's license (Class 5)

First Aid/CPR/AED

Microsoft Word/Excel/Outlook

Mechanical aptitude

Communication skills

Job description

Seeking Temporary (3 months) Public Works Operator

URGENT
START DATE: Immediately, upon selection of successful candidate.

The Town of Falher is seeking a qualified and experienced individual to join our team in the Public Works department! We are a vibrant and dynamic community committed to providing excellent public services and maintaining a high quality of life for our residents. Public Works play a crucial role in shaping and overseeing the infrastructure and public services that contribute to the well-being of our community.

Known as the “Honey Capital of Canada”, Falher is a buzzing community located in the Smoky River Region of Alberta’s Peace River Region. With a majority population being bilingual and/or francophone, Falher is officially recognized as 1 of 4 bilingual municipalities in Alberta. A tight knit community of 1,039, and an organization of 8 full time employees, the Town of Falher is looking forward to welcoming a new team and family member!

Are you a hands-on problem solver who enjoys working outdoors, operating equipment and making a visible impact in the community?

The Town of Falher is seeking a versatile and skilled Public Works Operator to join our dynamic team! This position is a temporary position for 3 months.

The successful candidate will carry out a wide range of core municipal maintenance duties and may be assigned a specialization in Utility Operations or Grader/Equipment Operations depending on operational needs and individual competencies.

Don’t meet the specialization requirements? That’s ok. Please apply anyway. We welcome candidates with broad-range public works experience and a willingness to learn to apply.

• Competitive compensation
• Meaningful and impactful work that directly supports the community;
• Supportive and collaborative team environment
  

What you’ll do:

This role includes participating in an on-call rotation schedule and responding to service calls and emergencies as needed.

Under the supervision of the Director of Public Works, the Public Works Operator, includes but is not limited to, the following:
Equipment Operation

• Operates municipal equipment such as wheel loaders, backhoes, street sweepers, skid steers, gravel trucks and lawn care equipment.

Infrastructure Maintenance

• Maintains municipal infrastructure, performs road maintenance activities including snow removal, road sanding, pot hole patching;
• Maintains drainage systems, culverts, sidewalks, driveways, ditches and storm sewers; and
• Carries out roadway painting and signage repair as needed.

Utility System Support

• Assists in the maintenance of water distribution systems including curb stop servicing and valve exercising;
• Conducts wastewater system maintenance, including lift station checks, sewer flushing/unclogging; and
• Services and tests fire hydrants.

General Maintenance

• Performs minor repairs and upkeep of municipal buildings and facilities;
• Conducts groundskeeping activities such as landscaping, tree trimming, cemetery care and grave marking;
• Supports seasonal operations for the swimming pool and splash park, including water testing; and
• Maintains accurate maintenance logs, inspection reports and asset tracking documentation.

Waste and Recycling

• Collects garbage from public bins and participates in snow haul and cleanup operations.

On-Call Responsibilities

• Participates in a rotating on-call schedule (typically alternating/rotating weeks/weekends) to perform weekend checks of critical systems and infrastructure; and
• Responds promptly to resident service calls as needed.

Specialized Duties (if/as assigned)

Operators may be assigned one of the following specializations based department needs and individual competencies. This specialized focus is in addition to the core duties and responsibilities outlined above.

Utility Operations

• Primary focus on water distribution, wastewater management, hydrant servicing and valve maintenance.

Grader/Equipment Operations

• Primary focus on operating a motor grader and other heavy equipment for road and surface maintenance.

Other

• Other duties as assigned

The successful candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Valid Class 5 Driver’s License (or Class 3 with air brake endorsement is required if assigned a Grader/Equipment Focus);
• Ability to work assigned schedules, participate in a rotating on-call schedule and perform occasional overtime as needed to respond to service calls, emergencies and other operational needs;
• First Aid (Standard or Emergency), CPR-C and AED certification (or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire);
• Mechanically inclined with the ability to troubleshoot, perform routine maintenance and make minor repairs to equipment;
• Physically capable of meeting the demands of the role, including:
  • Lifting and carrying 75 lbs. unassisted (e.g. road paint pails, propane cylinders, bags of material, lumber) and up to 150 lbs. assisted (min. 2 person carry) (e.g. grader blades, arena glass and hockey boards);
  • Standing for extended periods;
  • Bending, crouching, kneeling, climbing and working in awkward or confined spaces;
  • Performing repetitive tasks involving tools, equipment and hand-eye coordination;
  • Working at heights using ladders, scaffolding, or aerial lift equipment; (6 – 25+ feet; street light holiday décor, arena indoor lighting, roof mount equipment inspection/repair, roof patching);
• Ability to work outdoors, year-round, in all weather conditions, including extreme cold, heat and inclement weather;
• Proficiency with technology and computers including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook; and
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to resolve resident concerns professionally.

Specialization Qualifications (Asset based experience, not required but preferred):

Based on operational needs and individual competencies, the successful candidate may be assigned a specialization. Candidates with relevant skills in either area below are encouraged to highlight their experience.

Utility Operations Focus

• Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Level 1 is a strong asset, candidates with relevant experience and a willingness to pursue certification will also be considered;
• Experience or certification in water and wastewater systems; and
• Demonstrated ability with water valve operations, lift station monitoring, hydrant servicing.

Grader/Equipment Focus

• Significant experience operating a motor grader;
• Skilled in grading gravel and snow-covered roads, smoothing alleyways using loader or grader, and snow clearing, gravel placement, or surface maintenance;
• Familiarity with best practices for seasonal road maintenance; and
• Basic knowledge of motor grader maintenance, and can perform minor repairs.

We’re open to applicants with a range of experience. While we will be hiring for one position, we’ve described possible specialization areas to reflect the needs of our Public Works Department. Only one candidate will be selected.