Utility Operator

About the role

Kichton Construction LP is seeking an experienced Utility Operator to join the field operations team on the Syncrude MLX project north of Fort McMurray. The role involves operating excavators and dozers in a mining and oil‑sands environment, handling material placement, and supporting haul‑truck loading.

Key responsibilities

• Operate excavators (various sizes) and dozers (D8, D10) to load haul trucks, perform push‑downs, bulking, and mud‑squeezing.
• Work in soft ground and around water, placing material to specified tolerances and elevations.
• Read and interpret site plans, grades, and excavation layouts.
• Identify and report equipment issues, applying mechanical aptitude.
• Maintain safe operating practices and comply with mine/site safety requirements.

Required profile

• 2–5 years of heavy utility experience in mining, construction, or oil‑sands environments.
• Proven operation of dozers (D8/D10) and excavators.
• OSSA, BSO, or CSO certification.
• Completed H2S Awareness (or H2S Alive), Silica Awareness, OH&S Legislation Awareness, and Wood Buffalo Wildlife Awareness training.
• Ability to pass a pre‑employment drug and alcohol test.
• Ground Disturbance Level II and Class 3 driver’s licence are assets.
• Physically capable of working outdoors in extreme weather and able to work rotating shifts, overtime, and remote‑site schedules.

Required skills

• Dozer operation (D8, D10)
• Excavator operation (various sizes)
• OSSA/BSO/CSO certification
• Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) awareness
• Silica awareness
• OH&S legislation awareness
• Wood Buffalo Wildlife awareness
• Ground Disturbance Level II (asset)
• Class 3 driver’s licence (asset)

What we offer

• Hourly rate $41–$45 CAD based on experience.
• Overtime after 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week, whichever is greater.
• 9.6% vacation and statutory holiday pay on all regular hours.
• Potential work on other sites after project completion.
• Benefits after 90 days (50% employer‑paid extended health, dental, travel, paramedicals, life and AD&D insurance, telehealth, Employee & Family Assistance).
• 12‑hour days (paid for 11.5 hours), 14 days on/7 days off, days and nights.
• Busing provided from Fort McMurray to the site; no accommodations – locals only.