Heavy equipment operator job description template
The Heavy Equipment Operator runs excavators, backhoes, loaders, skid steers and dozers to dig, grade, backfill and move material on construction and site work jobs. A free, ready-to-edit job description for Canadian employers: duties, qualifications, skills, working conditions and performance measures.
The National Occupational Classification code for this role, used on Job Bank and LMIA forms. See the official NOC profile · What is a NOC code?
Position Identification Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Job title | Heavy Equipment Operator |
| Reports to | [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] |
| Direct reports | None |
| Employment type | [EMPLOYMENT_TYPE] |
| Work schedule | [WORK_SCHEDULE] |
| Location | [WORK_LOCATION], [PROVINCE] |
| Overtime eligibility | [OVERTIME_ELIGIBILITY] |
| NOC code | 73400 (Heavy equipment operators), NOC 2021 |
| Salary range | [SALARY_RANGE_MIN] to [SALARY_RANGE_MAX] |
| Effective date | [EFFECTIVE_DATE] |
| Last reviewed | [LAST_REVIEWED_DATE] |
1. Position Summary
The Heavy Equipment Operator runs excavators, backhoes, loaders, skid steers and dozers on construction and site work jobs for [ORGANIZATION_NAME]. Typical work includes digging foundations and trenches, installing water, sewer and septic lines, grading and backfilling, moving material, and, where the company does it, clearing snow in winter. The operator reports to [REPORTS_TO_TITLE], works with ground crews and other trades, and is responsible for operating safely around people, buried utilities and overhead lines. Accurate grades, no utility strikes and well-kept machines are what this job is measured by.
2. Key Responsibilities
2.1 Excavation and trenching (35%)
- Dig foundations, basements, trenches, ponds and septic beds to the depths and dimensions on the plans or set by [REPORTS_TO_TITLE].
- Confirm that utility locates are done and marked before digging, and hand dig or vacuum near marked lines as the locate instructions require.
- Place excavated material back from the edge of the trench and keep the spoil pile from blocking access.
- Work with the ground crew to install trench boxes, shoring or slope the walls as the excavation plan requires before anyone enters.
- Lift and set pipe, catch basins, culverts and septic tanks with the machine, using rated rigging and a signaller.
2.2 Grading, backfill and compaction (25%)
- Grade sites, driveways, roads and parking areas to stakes, string lines, laser or GPS grade control.
- Backfill in lifts and compact with rollers or plate tampers to the specification.
- Spread and level gravel, topsoil and fill, and shape ditches and swales so water drains where it should.
- Check grade with the ground crew and fix high and low spots before calling the job done.
2.3 Loading, hauling and material handling (15%)
- Load trucks with a loader or excavator without overloading or spilling.
- Move material, pipe and supplies around the site.
- Load, chain down and unload equipment on a float or trailer, and drive the truck where the operator holds the licence required in [PROVINCE].
2.4 Machine inspection and maintenance (15%)
- Do a walk-around inspection before every shift: fluids, tracks or tires, hoses, buckets, pins, lights, backup alarm and seat belt.
- Grease the machine daily and keep the cab and windows clean.
- Record hours, inspections and problems on the machine log or in [EQUIPMENT_LOG_APP].
- Take a machine out of service and tell [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] right away when there is a safety defect.
- Help the mechanic with repairs, track changes and attachment swaps.
2.5 Winter and seasonal work (5%)
- Plow and load snow with a loader or skid steer during storms, where the company does winter work.
- Haul and stockpile material and help with shop work and machine repairs during slow periods.
2.6 Health and safety (5%)
- Keep a clear view of the work area, use a signaller when backing or when the view is blocked, and never swing a load over people.
- Keep the safe distance from overhead power lines that applies in [PROVINCE] and the utility's instructions.
- Wear the seat belt in the machine, and use three points of contact getting on and off.
- Wear [REQUIRED_PPE] when out of the cab.
- Take part in tailgate safety talks and report injuries, near misses and utility strikes right away.
3. Qualifications & Experience
Role Qualification Standards
| Category | Required | Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| Trade certification | Trade certification for the equipment you will operate, as required in [PROVINCE]. | Certificate of qualification as a heavy equipment operator (excavator, dozer or tractor-loader-backhoe), where offered in [PROVINCE]. |
| Experience | [YEARS_EXPERIENCE_REQUIRED] years operating [MAIN_EQUIPMENT] on construction or site work. | Experience with water and sewer installation, septic systems, finish grading or GPS grade control. |
| Driver's licence | Valid driver's licence. | Licence class with air brake endorsement to drive a dump truck or haul the float, as required in [PROVINCE]. Clean driver's abstract. |
| Safety training | WHMIS training. Ground disturbance or trenching safety training, or willingness to complete it by [CERTIFICATION_DEADLINE]. | Standard First Aid and CPR. Rigging and signalling training. |
| Mechanical skills | Can do daily inspections and greasing and recognize when a machine needs repair. | Can do basic repairs, change teeth and cutting edges, and swap attachments. |
| Reading plans | Can work from stakes, grade sheets and simple site plans. | Can use a laser level or machine control system. |
| Language | Can understand spoken safety instructions and hand signals and read machine manuals in English. | Can speak with crews in French or another language used on site. |
4. Competencies
Core Competencies
| Competency | Definition | Behavioural Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| Machine control | Runs equipment smoothly and accurately. | • Digs to grade without over-digging. • Loads trucks evenly. • Moves the machine without damaging the site. |
| Safety awareness | Watches for people, utilities and ground conditions at all times. | • Confirms locates before digging. • Stops when someone enters the swing area. • Keeps clear of overhead lines. |
| Machine care | Treats the equipment like their own. | • Does the walk-around every day. • Greases on schedule. • Reports problems early. |
| Teamwork | Works closely with the ground crew and truck drivers. | • Agrees on hand signals before starting. • Keeps the crew informed of what the machine will do next. • Follows directions from [REPORTS_TO_TITLE]. |
| Problem solving | Handles changing ground and site conditions. | • Notices soft ground, water or unexpected pipes. • Stops and asks before going ahead. • Suggests a safer way when the plan does not fit the site. |
5. Working Conditions & Performance Measures
5.1 Working Conditions and Physical Demands
This is outdoor work on construction sites. The table shows what the job normally involves. We will look at accommodation for a worker who needs it, up to the point of undue hardship, as human rights law requires.
Physical Demands and Working Environment
| Demand | Frequency | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sitting and machine controls | Continuous | Long periods in the seat using hand and foot controls. |
| Whole-body vibration | Continuous | Vibration and jolting from the machine, especially on rough ground. |
| Climbing | Frequent | Getting on and off machines and trucks many times a day. |
| Lifting and carrying | Occasional | Bucket teeth, chains, grease pails and hand tools up to [MAX_LIFT_WEIGHT_KG]. |
| Concentration | Continuous | Watching grade, people, utilities and other machines at once. |
| Weather | Frequent | Heat, rain, mud, dust and cold. Work can stop for heavy rain or frozen ground. |
| Noise and dust | Frequent | Engine noise and site dust. Hearing protection is supplied. |
| Seasonal and variable hours | Frequent | Long days in the construction season and fewer hours, snow work or layoff in winter, as set out in [EMPLOYMENT_TYPE] and [WORK_SCHEDULE]. |
| Protective equipment | Continuous | [REQUIRED_PPE]. |
5.2 Performance Measures
Key Performance Indicators
| Measure | Definition | Target | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utility strikes and damage | Buried or overhead utilities hit, and damage to property or other equipment. | None | Ongoing |
| Grade accuracy | Finished grade checked against stakes or the plan. | Within the tolerance set for the job, [GRADE_TOLERANCE] | Per job |
| Daily inspections | Walk-around and greasing done and logged. | Every shift the machine runs | Weekly |
| Downtime from operator error | Repairs caused by misuse or skipped maintenance. | None | Quarterly |
| Production | Work done compared with the plan for the day or job. | Meets the plan, allowing for weather and site conditions | Per job |
| Safety | Injuries, near misses and safety rules followed. | No preventable injuries; near misses reported the same day | Ongoing |
5.3 Career Path
- Typical Prior Roles: Construction labourer, pipe layer, truck driver, landscaping equipment operator, farm equipment operator.
- Typical Next Roles: Lead operator, grade foreperson, site supervisor, estimator, excavation contractor.
5.4 Position Acknowledgement
This job description sets out the main duties, working conditions and qualifications for the Heavy Equipment Operator role at [ORGANIZATION_NAME]. It is not a list of every task. The job can change as the business changes. If it changes in a real way, we will update this document and talk it through with the employee first.
Employee Sign-Off:
Name: [EMPLOYEE_NAME] Signature: _____ Date: _______
Manager Sign-Off:
Name: [MANAGER_NAME] Title: [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] Signature: _____ Date: _______
What to fill in
| Placeholder | What to enter | Who provides it | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] | Title of the direct supervisor (e.g., Site Foreperson, Superintendent, Owner) | Owner / Hiring manager | Yes |
| [EMPLOYMENT_TYPE] | Employment basis and season (e.g., Full-time seasonal, April to December, with winter snow work) | Owner / Hiring manager | Yes |
| [WORK_SCHEDULE] | Usual days and hours, and how weather days and snow call-outs work | Hiring manager | Yes |
| [WORK_LOCATION] | Yard address and usual work area | Hiring manager | Yes |
| [PROVINCE] | Province or territory where the work is done. Trade certification for heavy equipment operators (dozer, excavator, tractor-loader-backhoe) is compulsory in Quebec, and available but voluntary in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Ontario. | Owner | Yes |
| [OVERTIME_ELIGIBILITY] | Eligible or Not eligible. Overtime rules and exclusions are set by the province or territory where the work is done (overtime, holidays and vacation by province). Several provinces and territories exclude many managers and supervisors, but not all do. | Owner / Payroll | Yes |
| [SALARY_RANGE_MIN] | Lowest and highest base pay for the role. Pay must be at least the minimum wage where the work is done (minimum wage by province). If you advertise the job publicly in Ontario (25 or more employees), British Columbia or Prince Edward Island, the posting must state the pay or range (pay in job postings by province). | Owner | Yes |
| [SALARY_RANGE_MAX] | Highest hourly wage or annual salary for the role | Owner | Yes |
| [EFFECTIVE_DATE] | Date this job description takes effect (e.g., 1 April 2027) | Owner / Hiring manager | Yes |
| [LAST_REVIEWED_DATE] | Date this job description was last checked against the real job | Owner / Hiring manager | Yes |
| [ORGANIZATION_NAME] | Operating business name of the employer | Owner | Yes |
| [EQUIPMENT_LOG_APP] | App or paper log used for machine hours, inspections and defects | Hiring manager | No |
| [REQUIRED_PPE] | Protective equipment the operator must wear outside the cab (e.g., CSA-approved safety boots, hard hat, high-visibility vest, safety glasses, hearing protection) | Owner / Safety lead | Yes |
| [YEARS_EXPERIENCE_REQUIRED] | Minimum years of related experience you need. Ask only for what the job really needs. | Hiring manager | Yes |
| [MAIN_EQUIPMENT] | Machines the operator will run most (e.g., 20-tonne excavator, backhoe, skid steer) | Hiring manager | Yes |
| [CERTIFICATION_DEADLINE] | Date, or number of days after the start date, by which ground disturbance or trenching training must be done. It should be done before the operator digs near buried utilities. | Owner / Hiring manager | Yes |
| [MAX_LIFT_WEIGHT_KG] | Heaviest load the worker must lift without help, in kilograms (e.g., 23 kg) | Hiring manager | Yes |
| [GRADE_TOLERANCE] | Grade tolerance you work to (e.g., the tolerance in the job specifications) | Hiring manager | No |
| [EMPLOYEE_NAME] | Full name of the employee signing | Employee | Yes |
| [MANAGER_NAME] | Full name of the manager signing | Manager | Yes |
Employment standards where you hire
Pay, overtime, holidays and notice for a heavy equipment operator are set by the province or territory where the work is done. Federally regulated employers (such as banks, airlines and interprovincial trucking) follow the Canada Labour Code. These are the minimums as of 7 October 2026. Most managers and some other roles are excluded from overtime, and the exclusions differ by province.
| Where the work is done | Minimum wage (per hour) | Overtime after (hours) | Paid public holidays | Notice owed after |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | $18.15 | 8 a day or 40 a week | 10 | 3 months |
| Nova Scotia | $17.00 | 48 a week | 6 | 3 months |
| New Brunswick | $15.90 | 44 a week | 8 | 6 months |
| Prince Edward Island | $17.30 | 44 a week | 8 | 90 days |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.35 | 40 a week | 6 | 3 months |
| Quebec | $16.60 | 40 a week | 8 | 3 months |
| Ontario | $17.95 | 44 a week | 9 | 3 months |
| Manitoba | $16.40 | 8 a day or 40 a week | 9 | 30 days |
| Saskatchewan | $15.70 | 8 a day or 40 a week | 10 | 13 weeks |
| Alberta | $15.00 | 8 a day or 44 a week | 9 | 90 days |
| British Columbia | $18.25 | 8 a day or 40 a week | 11 | 3 months |
| Yukon | $18.51 | 8 a day or 40 a week | 11 | 6 months |
| Northwest Territories | $17.20 | 8 a day or 40 a week | 11 | 90 days |
| Nunavut | $20.17 | 8 a day or 40 a week | 11 | 90 days |
Public job postings must state the pay or a range in Ontario (25 or more employees), British Columbia and Prince Edward Island. Full rules, vacation pay, final pay and sources: employment standards by province.
Official sources
Government and professional sources for this template. Pay, hours, holidays and notice are set by the province or territory where the work is done.
- National Occupational Classification 2021: 73400 Heavy equipment operators
- Job Bank: Heavy equipment operator
- Canadian Human Rights Commission: Duty to accommodate
- Employment standards and human rights offices for each province and territory
This template is general information for Canadian employers, not legal advice. Employment standards, human rights and privacy rules differ by province. Checked against official government sources on 7 October 2026. See employment standards by province.
Questions
What does a heavy equipment operator do?
The Heavy Equipment Operator runs excavators, backhoes, loaders, skid steers and dozers to dig, grade, backfill and move material on construction and site work jobs. The operator works closely with ground crews and must confirm utility locates and watch for people and overhead lines at all times. Trade certification for dozer, excavator and backhoe operators is compulsory in Quebec and voluntary in some other provinces.
What is the NOC code for a heavy equipment operator?
73400 (Heavy equipment operators) in the 2021 National Occupational Classification, TEER 3. The NOC code is used on Job Bank postings, Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications and other government forms. Check the official NOC profile to confirm it matches the duties of your job.
What should a heavy equipment operator job description include?
A short summary of the role, the main duties with a rough share of time, required and preferred qualifications, the skills you'll assess, working conditions and physical demands, and how performance is measured. State the pay range and who the person reports to; Ontario (25 or more employees), British Columbia and Prince Edward Island require the pay or a range in public postings. This template covers all of it; fill in the highlighted blanks and remove anything that doesn't apply.
Can I use this template for free?
Yes. Download it as a Word file, copy the text, or print it. Staffkin can also turn it into a prescreen and interview guide for the same role.
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