Job Description

Cochrane is located in the breathtaking Bow Valley corridor in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in southern Alberta. With a population of over 37,000 people, and growing steadily every year, Cochrane is a thriving town, surrounded by world-famous ranch country. Our western heritage is reflected in the Town’s architecture and our friendly people. The Town of Cochrane welcomes innovative and skilled individuals to join our team of over 250 employees.

Did you know the Roads team manages more than 324 lane kilometres of roadway in Cochrane? We work every day to keep our community moving safely, while maintaining approximately 120 km of underground storm sewer mains along with drainage swales, ditches, stormwater facilities, outfalls, oil grit separators and wetland areas.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for reliable, adaptable and team-oriented people who take pride in their work and want to contribute to a positive workplace.

You may already be an experienced heavy equipment operator. You may also be someone with strong mechanical aptitude, a Class 3 licence and a desire to build a career in municipal operations.

Experience is valuable, but attitude matters too.

• Take pride in doing a job well.
• Work cooperatively with coworkers and supervisors.
• Are willing to learn new equipment, technology, procedures and skills.
• Approach challenges with a practical, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Use good judgment and take reasonable initiative within their role.
• Are receptive to feedback and willing to adapt when circumstances or priorities change.
• Understand that everyone on the team has a role in creating a respectful and productive workplace.
• Are dependable, accountable and prepared to contribute when the community needs us.

If that sounds like you, we'd like to meet you.

Why build your career with Cochrane?

Beyond the stunning Rocky Mountain views and vibrant culture of our growing town, the Town of Cochrane offers a workplace that invests in its people.

Work-Life Balance That Works

We know our team works hard. During summer operations (April–October), Roads Operators work a 4 × 10-hour schedule, providing the opportunity to have every Friday or Monday off throughout the summer.

A Culture of Innovation

We aren't interested in simply doing things because they've always been done that way. We value curiosity, critical thinking and practical ideas that make our operations better.

If you see a better way to do something, we want you to speak up.

Training and Development

You'll have opportunities to build your skills, maintain certifications and learn to operate a wide range of equipment. We support employees who want to expand their knowledge and take on new challenges.

A Team That Matters

Roads is a highly visible part of municipal operations. The work you do directly affects how safely and efficiently people move through Cochrane every day.

What will you do?

• Operate a variety of heavy equipment including single and tandem axle trucks, street sweepers, wheel loaders, skid steers, thawing units, combination hydro-vacuum trucks, graders, backhoes, snow blowers, asphalt rollers, tack trailers, spray patchers, bucket trucks, snow plows, sanders, line painters and trailers.
• Maintain and inspect asphalt, concrete, gravel roads, traffic control devices and stormwater infrastructure.
• Maintain the Town's street signage system and sign inventory.
• Maintain traffic signals and signalized pedestrian corridors.
• Perform road surface painting and other roadway maintenance activities.
• Respond to customer inquiries and assist with resolving operational concerns in a professional and constructive manner.
• Participate in after-hours service, emergency response and on-call duties.
• Assist with annual contracted projects and provide operational support during project delivery.
• Participate in Construction Completion Certificate and Final Acceptance Certificate inspections.
• Participate in snow and ice control operations, including making operational decisions regarding material use, equipment and manpower within established procedures and direction.
• Perform inspections and routine maintenance of vehicles and equipment and identify maintenance requirements.
• Work safely and follow applicable legislation, Town policies, procedures and safe work practices.
• Maintain required certifications and participate in training.
• Perform basic fabrication and design work involving metal and wood materials.

What will help you succeed?

Required

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Alberta Class 3 driver's licence with air brake endorsement (Q).
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements of the position.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong reliability, punctuality and attendance.
• Ability to follow instructions while also using sound judgment in routine operational situations.
• Mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn.
• Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers, supervisors, contractors and members of the public.
• Basic computer skills and the ability to learn electronic work-order and operational systems.
• Commitment to safe work practices.

Assets

• Previous heavy equipment operating experience.
• Experience in road maintenance, construction or municipal operations.
• Experience with stormwater systems.
• Additional equipment operating experience.
• Standard First Aid and CPR/AED Level C.
• IMSA work zone safety or traffic signal training.
• Welding or fabrication training.
• Confined space, H2S, fall protection or other relevant safety training.
• Temporary traffic control or flag-person training.
• Previous experience working with municipal standards and procedures.

We will provide training to the right candidate. You don't need to know how to operate every piece of equipment on day one. We are looking for people who are capable, dependable and willing to learn.

What does success look like?

A successful Roads Operator doesn't simply complete assigned tasks.

They notice problems, communicate them, help find solutions and take ownership of their work.

They understand that priorities can change quickly in municipal operations. They work cooperatively with others, accept direction and feedback, and are prepared to adjust their approach when circumstances require it.

Most importantly, they understand that being a good teammate is part of the job.

Hours of Work & Flexibility

Summer Operations — April to October

4 × 10-hour schedule, Monday–Thursday or Tuesday–Friday.

Winter Operations — November to March

To support winter road maintenance and community safety, employees transition to a night shift of approximately 10:30 p.m. – 7:00 a.m., with potential extended hours of 7:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. and participation in a standby/on-call rotation.

Candidates must reside within 30 minutes of the Town for on-call response.

Compensation

$35.40 – $36.47 per hour

This is a unionized position covered by the Teamsters Collective Agreement.

The Town of Cochrane is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. Employees are expected to take reasonable care to protect their own health and safety and that of others, perform work safely, follow applicable legislation and Town procedures, and participate in required orientations and training.

Interested?

If you are looking for an opportunity to build your skills, contribute to your community and work with a team that takes pride in what it does, we want to hear from you.

• Qualified individuals are encouraged to submit a resume and a letter explaining how their experience, skills and approach to work align with the position.
• All qualified candidates will be requested to complete an online suitability survey.
• Applications will be accepted until September 30,2026. Please apply at www.cochrane.ca/jobs.
• $35.40 – $36.47 per hour | Unionized — Teamsters Collective Agreement
• We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All applicants must be legally entitled to live and work in Canada.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All applicants must be legally entitled to live and work in Canada.

Land Acknowledgement

In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.