Heavy Equipment Operator (Fort Hills)

North American Construction Group is looking for Hydraulic Shovel Operators to work on a remote mining site in the Fort McMurray area, specifically at Fort Hills. This is a long-standing contractor known for safety and reliability, and the role sits on one of the region’s largest contracts. The opportunity suits someone who enjoys hands-on heavy equipment work, wants a stable site-based position, and respects a strong safety culture.

The position offers a substantial combined pay rate and clear growth potential. Overtime and a structured schedule are part of the package, with camp accommodations provided and flights arranged to Edmonton or Calgary. The role is tied to membership in the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 955, and successful candidates will join that union. The company emphasizes room for advancement within a safety-focused environment.

If this kind of mining-site, hands-on operator work appeals to you, and you’re looking for a role with a rotating 14 on / 7 off schedule, consider this opportunity. The company has operated in heavy construction and mining for more than 65 years, with a growing footprint and a strong safety record. No phone calls please, successful candidates will be contacted via phone or email.

Shovels, shifts and Fort Hills life

You will operate front-loading Hitachi shovels on a remote Fort Hills mine site, handling material with precision and keeping safety front and center. The machines you’ll run include models 2500, 3600 and 5500, and you’ll work within a 14x7 schedule, with shifts that are 12 hours long and paid for 12 hours.

On a typical day you’ll work with a crew to move ore and waste, conduct routine checks, and follow site procedures under supervision. Accommodations are provided in a camp on site, and transportation involves flights to and from Edmonton or Calgary. Overtime is available after 8 hours in a day or 44 hours in a week, and the role sits within a unionized environment via IUOE Local 955.

It’s good to know that onboarding, shift times, and site details can shift, and the process to start can take 3–8 business days. No phone calls please; successful candidates will be contacted via phone or email.

What the role expects from you

• Must have at least two years of hands-on experience operating 2500, 3600, and 5500 front-loading Hitachi shovels.
• Must have at least two years of experience working in a mining environment.

• Nice to have a high school diploma, GED, or post-secondary education, as this is considered an asset.

Pay, benefits and practical details

The role carries a combined rate of pay up to 54.86 CAD per hour, with an additional night shift premium of 1.20 CAD per hour. Overtime is paid after 8 hours in a day or 44 hours in a week, and the job includes camp accommodations, flights to and from the site, and transportation to and from site to save on travel costs. Benefits and pension become available after 400 hours worked, including medical and dental coverage, and the position includes paid weekly wages, with up to 61 hours of overtime possible over a 14-day rotation.

PPE is provided, with the expectation that you’ll bring your own CSA-certified steel-toed boots. Room for growth and future advancements is highlighted, and the company notes that shift, site, and start times may change. Successful applicants will also gain membership in one of the largest IUOE locals in North America.

The onboarding process involves pre-employment testing and paperwork, with NACG coordinating the testing and sending New Hire Paperwork by email. After all results and documents are received, site administration will schedule orientation and confirm a start date and site-specific details. The onboarding timeline can take 3–8 business days.

Remember: no phone calls are accepted for applications; successful candidates will be contacted by phone or email.

Advice for applicants on this Fort Hills role

Begin your resume with your two years of operating 2500, 3600, and 5500 Hitachi front-loading shovels, and highlight any mining experience you’ve had in similar environments. If you’ve worked on Fort McMurray-area sites or with similar heavy equipment in remote locations, make that clear so the reader can see the fit right away.

Show where you meet the must-haves by detailing your shovel hours, the exact models you’ve operated, and the mining environments you’ve worked in. If you’ve completed related certifications or formal training, include those details and the dates so it’s easy to verify your readiness for the role.

For interviews, be prepared to discuss your approach to safety and incident reporting, and how you handle shift rotations and 12-hour days. You may be asked to talk through past pre-employment experiences and how you’ve managed routine equipment checks and minor maintenance tasks on site. Also be ready to discuss your tolerance for a 14x7 schedule and your approach to working with a union workforce.

A smart question to close with could be: how does the team manage shift changes if weather or site conditions require adjustments to the Fort Hills schedule, and what does the orientation program cover in the first days on site?