Mainline Excavator Operator
Company: Infracon Group of Companies
Location: Western Canada — potential project locations may include Hope, 100 Mile House, Merritt, Dawson Creek, Kamloops, Terrace, and surrounding areas
Type: Full-Time / Project-Based
Wage Range: $37.00 – $41.00 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications
About the Role
The Infracon Group of Companies is seeking experienced Mainline Excavator Operators for upcoming and potential municipal infrastructure and civil construction projects across Western Canada.
We are expecting awards on several municipal infrastructure projects with significant underground utility, pipe, road grading, curb and gutter, sidewalk, and civil construction components. As a result, we are looking to connect with skilled excavator operators who have strong mainline experience and can support safe, accurate, and efficient excavation for sewer, water, storm, drainage, manholes, trenching, grading, and related infrastructure work.
This role is best suited for an experienced excavator operator with a strong background in municipal and civil construction, including mainline trenching, working with pipe crews, operating with GPS machine control, working to grade, and using attachments such as rock hammers where required.
A specific need for this role is experience operating excavators with GPS control systems and experience using rock hammers in civil construction environments. Candidates with both GPS machine control experience and rock hammer experience will be strongly preferred.
The successful candidate will work closely with Pipe Foremen, pipe layers, labourers, surveyors, inspectors, truck drivers, and project teams to ensure excavation and pipe support work is completed safely, efficiently, and to project specifications. We are looking for someone who takes pride in quality workmanship, understands the importance of safe trenching and production, and can operate confidently in active municipal construction environments.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Mainline Excavator Operator who enjoys infrastructure work and wants to be part of a team delivering important civil projects across Western Canada.
Key Responsibilities
Mainline Excavator Operation
- Operate excavators safely and efficiently to support municipal infrastructure and civil construction activities
- Excavate mainline trenches for sanitary sewer, storm sewer, watermain, drainage, culverts, and related underground utilities
- Work closely with pipe crews to support pipe installation, bedding, trench preparation, backfill, and compaction activities
- Excavate around existing utilities, tie-ins, manholes, catch basins, valves, hydrants, services, and other infrastructure
- Support installation of manholes, catch basins, culverts, drainage structures, and related civil infrastructure
- Load trucks, place material, clean up work areas, and support production as required
- Maintain strong situational awareness when operating around workers on foot, utilities, traffic, shoring, slopes, and other equipment
GPS, Grade & Precision Work
- Operate excavators using GPS machine control systems to support accurate excavation, grading, trenching, and material placement
- Use GPS control to support efficient production, accurate cuts, reduced rework, and improved grade control
- Work to grade using GPS, stakes, hubs, offsets, pipe lasers, plans, profiles, and direction from supervisors or surveyors
- Support accurate trench depth, slope, bedding preparation, utility alignment, and finish elevations
- Perform detailed excavation and grading around municipal infrastructure and active work areas
- Identify grade conflicts, design concerns, utility conflicts, or constructability issues and communicate them promptly
- Support efficient sequencing of work to reduce rework and keep the project moving
Rock Hammer & Attachment Use
- Operate excavator attachments, including rock hammers, safely and effectively where required
- Break rock, concrete, asphalt, frozen ground, or other hard materials as directed
- Use rock hammers and attachments in a controlled manner around utilities, structures, trenches, traffic, workers, and equipment
- Inspect attachments and report wear, damage, hydraulic issues, or maintenance concerns promptly
- Follow safe work practices when using rock hammers or other high-impact attachments
- Coordinate with supervisors and ground crews to manage exclusion zones, noise, vibration, flying debris, underground utility risks, and related hazards
Municipal Underground Utility Support
- Support sewer, water, storm, drainage, and municipal utility installation activities
- Work safely in and around trenches, excavations, shoring systems, existing utilities, and active roadwork environments
- Coordinate closely with Pipe Foremen, pipe layers, surveyors, inspectors, labourers, and truck drivers
- Assist with utility crossings, live services, tie-ins, and congested municipal work areas
- Support preparation for inspections, testing, backfill, road grading, curb and gutter, sidewalk, and surface restoration
- Help ensure excavation work supports accurate pipe installation and overall project quality
Civil Construction Support
- Support road construction, grading, curb and gutter preparation, sidewalk preparation, drainage, surface restoration, and general municipal infrastructure work
- Assist with site preparation, stripping, ditching, sloping, grading, material placement, and cleanup
- Work safely and productively around active equipment, haul trucks, traffic control, and public-facing work zones
- Adapt to changing project requirements, site conditions, weather, ground conditions, and operational priorities
- Represent the Infracon Group of Companies professionally on project sites
Equipment Care & Maintenance
- Complete daily equipment inspections and pre-use checks
- Report equipment deficiencies, damage, maintenance issues, attachment concerns, or safety concerns promptly
- Maintain equipment and attachments in a clean, safe, and work-ready condition
- Follow proper start-up, shut-down, fueling, parking, and maintenance procedures
- Monitor equipment performance throughout the shift and report concerns early
- Operate equipment within safe working limits and manufacturer guidelines
Safety & Compliance
- Follow all company, client, and project safety policies, procedures, and safe work practices
- Participate in daily safety meetings, toolbox talks, field-level hazard assessments, inspections, and site orientations
- Maintain strong awareness around trenches, excavations, heavy equipment, traffic, utilities, shoring, slopes, overhead hazards, and changing site conditions
- Use required personal protective equipment at all times
- Follow site-specific traffic management, excavation, trenching, shoring, utility, and equipment operation requirements
- Identify and report hazards, incidents, near misses, unsafe conditions, utility concerns, and environmental issues
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to safe production, quality, teamwork, and professional conduct
What You Bring
- Strong mainline excavator operating experience on municipal infrastructure, civil construction, or underground utility projects
- Experience supporting sewer, water, storm, drainage, manhole, culvert, trenching, and civil utility installation work
- GPS machine control experience is strongly preferred and considered a key asset for this role
- Rock hammer experience is strongly preferred and considered a key asset for this role
- Ability to safely use rock hammers and excavator attachments in active civil construction environments
- Strong grade awareness and ability to work accurately with GPS, grade stakes, offsets, plans, profiles, and field direction
- Ability to work safely and productively around pipe crews, labourers, surveyors, inspectors, trucks, shoring systems, and workers on foot
- Experience working in active municipal construction environments, including roadworks, traffic control areas, existing utilities, and public-facing work zones
- Strong communication skills and ability to work as part of a coordinated civil construction crew
- Reliable, punctual, and willing to travel for project-based work
- Safety-focused attitude with pride in quality workmanship and accurate excavation
Qualifications
- Previous experience as a Mainline Excavator Operator, Excavator Operator, or Heavy Equipment Operator in municipal or civil construction is required
- Experience in municipal infrastructure, civil construction, sewer and water, storm systems, drainage, roadworks, utilities, or earthworks is strongly preferred
- Experience operating excavators with GPS machine control is strongly preferred
- Experience operating excavators with rock hammer attachments is strongly preferred
- Experience working with pipe crews, grade stakes, pipe lasers, levels, slopes, offsets, and utility alignments is considered an asset
- Valid Class 5 driver’s licence and reliable transportation are preferred
- Ground Disturbance, CSTS, WHMIS, First Aid, Confined Space, or other safety certifications are considered assets depending on project requirements
- Ability to work outdoors in varying weather and site conditions
- Ability to travel to project locations throughout Western Canada as required
- Must be eligible to work in Canada
- Drug and alcohol testing may be required depending on client, site, or project requirements
Working Conditions
- Project-based work in various locations throughout Western Canada
- Potential project areas may include Hope, 100 Mile House, Merritt, Dawson Creek, Kamloops, Terrace, and surrounding regions
- Work will primarily support municipal infrastructure, civil construction, roadwork, underground utility, drainage, and earthworks projects
- Outdoor work in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, snow, dust, mud, and uneven terrain
- Exposure to active equipment, traffic, noise, trenches, excavations, utilities, shoring, slopes, rock hammer operations, tools, and changing site conditions
- Physically active construction environment requiring strong situational awareness and safe equipment operation
- Shift schedules, rotations, overtime, and travel requirements may vary by project
- Living out allowance, travel, or other project-specific arrangements may apply depending on location and project terms
Compensation & Benefits
- Wage range of $37.00 – $41.00 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications
- Full-time and project-based opportunities may be available
- Benefits and applicable company programs may be available based on employment status and eligibility
- Project-specific compensation terms, travel, LOA, rotation, or accommodation details may vary by assignment
- Opportunity to support municipal infrastructure, underground utility, and civil construction projects across Western Canada
What Success Looks Like
- Mainline excavation, trenching, grading, and utility support work is completed safely, accurately, and efficiently
- GPS, grade information, stakes, offsets, and field direction are used effectively to support accurate excavation
- Rock hammer and attachment work is completed safely and with proper control of hazards
- Pipe crews, foremen, surveyors, inspectors, and truck drivers receive clear communication and reliable equipment support
- Excavation work supports accurate pipe installation, proper bedding, safe trench conditions, and efficient production
- Equipment and attachments are inspected daily, maintained properly, and kept work-ready
- Issues with grade, utilities, materials, ground conditions, or site conflicts are identified early and communicated promptly
- Work is completed with strong attention to safety, quality, production, and teamwork
Why Join Us
- Work with an experienced civil construction and municipal infrastructure team
- Support underground utility and roadwork projects across Western Canada
- Apply your mainline excavation, GPS, and rock hammer experience on meaningful infrastructure work
- Be part of a company focused on safe production, quality work, and operational excellence
- Contribute to infrastructure projects that support communities across the region
Pay: $37.00-$41.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
