About the position
DutiesThe heavy equipment operator ensures the safe maintenance of airport runways and taxiways operated by Transport Canada. They contribute directly to aviation safety by keeping surfaces clear and in compliance with operational standards, and by ensuring the maintenance, operation, and safety of infrastructure and equipment.
📌 Main Responsibilities:
- Operate heavy machinery (snowblower, grader, loader, etc.).
- Perform snow removal and apply de-icing agents based on weather conditions.
- Assist with wildlife management and conduct wildlife patrols.
- Perform equipment maintenance, inspections, and record-keeping.
- Participate in summer maintenance (leveling, mowing, patching and marking runways, and various repairs).
- Comply with aviation safety procedures and Safety Management System (SMS) guidelines.
- Participate in emergency drills and apron inspections.
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📢 Work may be performed at a remote or isolated airport operated by Transport Canada. Employees work as part of a small team under the supervision of a supervisor and an airport manager.
Duties are primarily outdoors and expose the employee to harsh weather conditions (cold, snow, wind, noise from machinery and aircraft). The position may require overtime at night and on weekends, as well as on-call availability, to ensure the continuous safety of the runways.
This role requires a high degree of autonomy, strong teamwork, and a keen sense of responsibility, as the work has a direct impact on the safety of air operations. The environment fosters solidarity, resourcefulness, and a practical approach focused on safety and efficiency.
Interesting fact: Many operators at Transport Canada airports have participated in essential operations such as emergency medical flights, wildlife management, and evacuations, thereby maintaining the vital link between communities throughout the year.
Work environmentAt Transport Canada, you’re not just joining a department — you’re helping keep Canada connected, safe, and moving.
As a Heavy Equipment Operator, your work directly supports safe and reliable air travel for remote and northern communities. Whether it’s clearing runways for emergency flights or maintaining essential airport infrastructure, your role makes a tangible difference every day.
Transport Canada offers a supportive, inclusive, and safety-focused workplace, where teamwork and professional growth are core values.
Employees take pride in serving Canadians, knowing their work has a direct impact on national transportation safety and reliability. Be part of a team that keeps Canada’s skies safe — no matter the weather.
Intent of the process
This posting is intended to create a candidate inventory.
🎯 This inventory will serve as a source of candidates when Transport Canada needs to hire a heavy equipment operator for a position at an airport in British Columbia or Manitoba.
Placement in the inventory does not guarantee a job offer or the immediate opening of a selection process. When specific operational needs arise, candidates from the inventory may be invited to participate in a formal selection process (e.g., assessments, interviews, checks).
The inventory may be used to staff indeterminate, term, as operational needs dictate.
Important messages
When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.
✔️ SCREENING QUESTIONS
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Please note completion of the screening questions is required. Your responses to each will be used as the primary source in determining whether you meet the screening requirements. Failure to complete them fully may result in your elimination.
It is strongly recommended to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when answering the screening questions to provide concrete examples of how you demonstrate having the required qualifications.
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💲 Allowances under the Isolated Posts and Government Housing Directive
Please refer to the Isolated Posts and Government Housing Directive (http://www.njc-cnm.gc.ca/directive/ipgh-pile/index-eng.php) for more information.
🚛 Relocation Assistance
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Possible Work Locations
Vancouver Island: Port Hardy (GL-MDO-06)
North Coast Region (BC): Sandspit (K'Il Kun) (GL-MAN-05)
South Okanagan Valley (BC): Penticton (GL-MDO-06)
Central and Northern Manitoba: Churchill (GL-MDO-06)
Conditions of employment
Reliability Status security clearance
Learn more about security screening process.
- Pre-placement Medical is required in relation to use of Heavy Equipment Operator, handling firearms.
- Possession of a valid Class 5 Driver’s License.
- Prior to appointment, the person must hold a Class 3 driver's license with authorization to use air brakes. If they do not have this at the time of selection, they must obtain it before hiring and be able to maintain it thereafter.
* Interprovincial driver’s license equivalencies are accepted; however, the successful candidate must be able to obtain the corresponding class of license for the province of the workplace prior to appointment or within the prescribed timelines.
Operational Requirements
- Willingness and ability to successfully complete Transport Canada’s Airfield Maintenance Training Program and perform all activities as outlined in program.
- Willingness and ability to successfully complete Transport Canada’s Bird & Wildlife Training Program.
- Willingness and ability to successfully complete Transport Canada Runway Surface Condition Report Training Program.
- Willingness and ability to obtain and maintain a Radiotelephone Operator's Certificate (endorsed aeronautical).
- Willingness and ability to obtain and maintain a valid Airside Vehicle Operations Permit (AVOP).
- Willingness and ability to acquire and maintain a valid Firearms Acquisition Certificate within 6 months of appointment.
- Willingness to participate in various security and emergency response duties as directed and required. This includes familiarization of the airport's emergency response plan and on-scene controller training.
- Willingness and ability to work overtime, shift work, on-call, holidays and weekends.
- Willingness and ability to perform physically demanding occupations, including heavy manual work, which require bending and lifting heavy loads (up to 30kg).
- Willingness and ability to work at heights up to 85 feet and obtain and maintain Aerial Lift, Boom and Fall Arrest training.
- Willingness and ability to work in variable weather conditions and difficult environments (outdoors, cold, hot, dusty and noisy).
- Willingness and ability to travel for training and to travel to offsite work locations.
You need (essential for the job)
Your application must clearly explain how you meet the following
EDUCATION
- High school diploma and/or an acceptable combination of education and/or experience in operating heavy equipment such as loaders, graders, plow trucks, etc.
Learn more about degree equivalency.
EXPERIENCE
- Experience operating heavy equipment.
- Experience using heavy and light equipment (including the safe operation of heavy and light equipment to perform operational duties).
- Experience operating tools and performing maintenance of equipment.
- Experience using electronic mail (email) systems such as Microsoft Outlook.
KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of general safety practices and procedures related to heavy equipment.
COMPETENCIES
- Demonstrating Integrity and Respect
- Working effectively with others
- Showing initiative and being Action-oriented
ABILITIES
- Ability to prioritize tasks in their work schedule.
- Ability to understand and follow instructions.
- Ability to communicate effectively.
- Ability to solve problems.
You may need (asset qualifications)
May be applied / assessed at a later date
CERTIFICATION
- Possession of a valid CPR/First Aid Level 1 certificate (or equivalent).
EXPERIENCE
- Experience with repairs on equipment and vehicles.
- Experience operating heavy equipment utilized in airport operations (such as agricultural tractor, plow truck, sweepers, loaders, graders, snowblowers, skidsteer, mowers etc.)
- Experience in performing runway condition reporting.
- Experience in applying anti-icing and de-icing chemicals to pavement surfaces.
- Experience in bird and wildlife control methods, techniques and procedures used at airports.
- Experience doing maintenance and repair to commercial facilities, paved surfaces and landscaping large public accessed areas.
- Experience in ground maintenance and performing repairs to fences or signage or drainage, sewer and potable water systems .
- Experience in working with Safety Management Systems.
- Limited vacation may apply from October to April.
Equity, diversity and inclusion
The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the population it serves. We promote employment equity and encourage you to self-declare if you belong to one of the designated employment equity groups when you apply.
Learn more about diversity and inclusion in the public service.
Selection may be limited to members of the following employment equity groups: Indigenous (Aboriginal) peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and women.
Learn more about employment equity.