Top Lift Operator

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CPKC is hiring full-time Top Lift Operators in Vancouver to support safe intermodal yard operations. You will load and unload shipping containers with top lift equipment, stack and organize cargo, inspect gear, attend daily briefings, and keep the yard safe and organized while communicating with the team. Requirements include a high school diploma or GED, valid driver’s license, English reading and safety instruction comprehension, and the ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays in all weather. Intermodal Lift Operator pay around $39.44 per hour; pre-employment medical and drug testing and background checks apply in a union environment. To apply, tailor your resume to show safe equipment operation, yard coordination, reliability, and teamwork, and highlight a strong safety mindset and shift flexibility.

Join CPKC, North America’s first transnational railroad connecting U.S. Canada and Mexico, where your career drives progress and safety is paramount. We connect communities, fuel economic growth, and provide meaningful work in a culture that values diversity, accountability, and pride. With opportunities for training, development, and advancement, you’re not just building a career—you’re part of something bigger. Together, we move goods, connect people, and create lasting change. Your future starts here.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

CPKC is hiring full-time Top Lift Operators to support the safe and efficient movement of domestic and international containers at its Intermodal facility. In this role, operators are responsible for loading, unloading, stacking, and organizing shipping containers within a rail yard environment. This position requires a strong commitment to safety, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced operational environment while supporting the efficient flow of intermodal operations.

Positions and Pay Rates Hourly at 100%:

Utility/Groundsperson $33.46

Hostler Operator $34.96

Intermodal Lift Operator $39.44

Driver Car Compound $30.90 

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Operate Top lift equipment to safely and efficiently load and unload shipping containers from rail cars and tractor-trailers
• Stack, organize, and reposition shipping containers within the intermodal yard to support operational requirements
• Attend daily job briefings and complete assigned tasks in accordance with operational priorities
• Conduct visual inspections of intermodal equipment and containers, identifying and reporting any damage, defects, or safety concerns
• Assist with the placement and removal of Inter-Box Connectors (IBCs) as required
• Maintain compliance with all company safety policies, operating procedures, and regulatory requirements
• Support yard operations by ensuring equipment and work areas remain organized and safe
• Communicate effectively with supervisors, equipment operators, and team members to ensure efficient workflow and safe operations

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or general equivalency

• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to pass the required written examinations, read and understand safety instructions, rules, regulations and other written or printed material in English
• Strong safety mindset, this is a safety-sensitive position within an environment of heavy equipment and constant flow of traffic
• Available to work all types of shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays in all weather conditions

WHAT CPKC HAS TO OFFER:

• Flexible and competitive benefits package
• Competitive company pension and/or retirement plans
• Employee share purchase plan
• Annual fitness subsidy
• Part-time studies program

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

Medical and Drug Testing

This is a safety sensitive position and a successful pre-employment medical assessment including physical, vision, hearing, and a negative company drug test is required. Post hire qualification drug testing may also be required.

Background Investigation

• Criminal history check
• Education verification
• Driver’s license verification and driving history

CULTURE OF INCLUSION:

For our U.S. applicants, CPKC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, inclusive of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For Canadian applicants CPKC is an employment equity employer committed to the principles of employment equity and inclusion. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply including: women, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), members of the LGBTQ+ community and people with disabilities. Accommodations for the job application process can be provide, as appropriate, upon request. All applicant information will be managed in accordance with the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

• Req ID: 106314
• Department: Network & Capacity Management
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Position Type: Union
• Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
• Country: Canada
• % of Travel: 0-10%
• # of Positions: 10
• Compensation Rate: $30.11
• Job Available to: Internal & External

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