Excavator Operator

**Company Overview**

North Star Contracting’s Earthworks Division is an approved City of Calgary contractor with a diverse portfolio of municipal and urban infrastructure projects, including complex high-rise developments. With a management team bringing over 25 years of industry experience each, North Star delivers high-quality workmanship, safety-focused execution, and reliable service. The company is a proven earthworks and deep excavation contractor capable of performing technically demanding work in constrained urban environments.

**Position Summary**

The Excavator Operator is responsible for the safe, precise, and efficient operation of excavators and related equipment on deep excavation, high-rise, and large-scale earthworks projects. This role requires advanced skill in deep excavations, working around shoring systems, foundations, and existing structures while maintaining strict safety, grade control, and production standards.

**Duties and Responsibilities**
- Perform detailed hazard assessments and participate in daily toolbox meetings, with a focus on deep excavation and urban site hazards
- Conduct daily pre-operational inspections and preventative maintenance on excavators and attachments
- Execute high-precision deep excavations for high-rise foundations, parkades, elevator pits, and underground structures
- Excavate in confined urban sites adjacent to existing buildings, utilities, and infrastructure while maintaining excavation limits and safe setbacks
- Work within and around shoring systems, including soldier pile and lagging, secant pile walls, sheet piling, and tie-back systems
- Maintain excavation stability and compliance with engineered shoring and excavation plans
- Accurately read and interpret site drawings, excavation plans, grades, elevations, and benchmark references
- Coordinate closely with surveyors, foremen, engineers, and ground crews to maintain design tolerances
- Monitor ground conditions, groundwater, and excavation integrity; report concerns immediately to supervision
- Maintain clean excavation faces, access ramps, and safe working conditions throughout all phases of excavation
- Communicate clearly with spotters and ground personnel during all excavation activities
- Comply with all City of Calgary standards, OH&S regulations, and company safety policies

**Qualifications and Experience**
- Proven experience operating excavators on deep excavation and high-rise construction projects
- Strong knowledge of heavy equipment operations in complex urban environments
- Solid understanding of grading, elevations, and excavation tolerances
- Ability to make sound decisions in changing ground and site conditions
- Strong communication skills and ability to follow direction precisely
- Reliable, safety-focused, and detail-oriented
- Ability to work effectively as part of a coordinated project team

**Required Certifications and Training**
- Valid driver’s license with a clean driver’s abstract
- Construction Safety Training System (CSTS) certification
- Active Ground Disturbance certification

**Work Environment and Physical Requirements**
- Availability to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends, during the construction season (April to December)
- Physically capable of performing manual labour in all weather and site conditions
- CSA-approved safety boots and required PPE mandatory

**Benefits**
- Extended health care benefits
- RRSP matching program

Pay: $36.50-$43.00 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Extended health care
- RRSP match
- Vision care

Work Location: In person