Excavator Operator - Civil and Environmental Projects

Al’s Contracting is hiring an experienced Excavator Operator for civil construction and environmental projects throughout Northern Alberta.

The successful applicant will travel to site on July 4, 2026 , with work beginning July 5, 2026 .

The initial scope of work will include:

• Culvert removal, replacement, and installation
• Environmental response and remediation work
• Lease and access-road construction
• Gravel and borrow pit development
• Drainage ditch and water-management work
• Road, pad, and site development
• Material loading, stockpiling, and placement
• Erosion-control and reclamation activities

This position is best suited to a skilled, safety-conscious operator who can complete excavation, grading, culvert, and environmental work with minimal supervision.

What We Offer

• Remote industrial and heavy civil projects
• Camp accommodations while on shift
• 12-hour shifts
• Overtime paid in accordance with Alberta employment standards
• Statutory holiday pay
• Benefits package available after probation
• Company-owned equipment
• Long-term employment opportunities
• Equipment cross-training and advancement opportunities
• Experienced supervisors, maintenance personnel, and field support

Primary Responsibilities

The Excavator Operator will be responsible for safely and productively completing a variety of civil and environmental tasks, including:

• Excavating, preparing, and backfilling culvert installations
• Handling and placing large-diameter culverts, pipe, and related materials
• Constructing drainage ditches, swales, berms, and water-control structures
• Completing mass excavation and site preparation
• Developing and maintaining gravel pits and borrow sources
• Managing borrow pit floors, slopes, benches, and material stockpiles
• Loading gravel, soil, waste, and other materials into trucks
• Rough grading and finishing excavation work to the required elevations
• Pulling grade, sloping, benching, and shaping excavation areas
• Building and maintaining roads, leases, pads, and access routes
• Placing riprap and erosion-control materials
• Excavating and working in wet, saturated, or muskeg conditions
• Supporting spill response, environmental remediation, and contaminated-soil handling
• Sorting and separating soil, debris, waste, and recoverable materials
• Moving rig mats and supporting mat installation where required
• Operating safely around workers, equipment, live facilities, and existing infrastructure
• Performing daily equipment inspections and basic preventative maintenance
• Reporting equipment deficiencies, hazards, and changing ground conditions
• Coordinating with supervisors, truck drivers, labourers, and other operators
• Maintaining a clean, organized, and safe work area

Required Excavator Experience

Applicants should have strong experience in several of the following areas:

• Culvert installation and replacement
• Trenching for utilities and infrastructure
• Pipe laying and service installation
• Mass excavation and site preparation
• Road, lease, and pad construction
• Gravel pit and borrow pit development
• Rough grading and finishing work
• Pulling grade and working from grade stakes
• Slope cutting, benching, and ditch construction
• Backfilling trenches and excavations
• Loading trucks from above or below
• Stockpiling and managing gravel, soil, and other materials
• Handling large pipe, culverts, rocks, and precast materials
• Working near open water, drainage channels, or unstable slopes
• Excavating in wet, saturated, frozen, or difficult ground conditions
• Environmental response and erosion-control work
• Constructing containment berms and drainage controls
• Working around live utilities, facilities, and congested work areas
• Operating safely on benches, slopes, and uneven terrain
• Using hydraulic thumbs, grapples, breakers, compaction attachments, or other excavator attachments

Experience with GPS machine-control systems is considered an asset but is not required.

What We Are Looking For

• Minimum three years of excavator operating experience preferred
• Demonstrated experience with civil construction, culverts, earthworks, or environmental projects
• Ability to complete accurate excavation and grading with minimal rework
• Strong understanding of ground disturbance and excavation hazards
• Ability to identify changing soil, slope, water, and ground conditions
• Ability to work safely around ground personnel and other equipment
• Strong communication and situational awareness
• Dependable, productive, and able to work as part of a field-based team
• Willingness to travel and work at remote locations throughout Northern Alberta
• Ability to work 12-hour shifts outdoors in changing weather conditions
• Valid Class 5 driver’s licence
• Reliable transportation to the designated mobilization location

Required Certifications

Applicants should hold current copies of the following:

• CSTS 2020
• H2S Alive
• Standard First Aid with CPR
• Ground Disturbance Level 2
• Common Safety Orientation or equivalent site orientation, where required

Applicants must also successfully complete any required pre-access or pre-employment drug and alcohol testing.

About Al’s Contracting

Al’s Contracting is a 100% Indigenous-owned company based in Lac La Biche, Alberta.

For more than 20 years, we have provided civil construction, road maintenance, environmental services, equipment operations, and day-to-day site support to major energy operations throughout Northern Alberta.

Our company operates a growing fleet of heavy equipment supported by experienced supervisors, maintenance personnel, and a dedicated mechanical team. We take pride in maintaining strong crews, providing reliable equipment, and creating long-term employment opportunities for skilled operators.

Apply Today

Applicants who are available to travel July 4 and begin work July 5, 2026 , can apply using the form.

Please provide your current résumé, certifications, contact information, availability, and a summary of your excavator experience.

Only applicants selected for the next stage of the hiring process will be contacted.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $36.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Life insurance
• Vision care

Work Location: In person