Grader Operator
Company: Lower Nicola Site Services (LNSS)
Location: Logan Lake, BC at Highland Valley Copper Mine
Type: Full-Time / Project-Based
Wage Range: $37.00 – $41.00 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications
Schedule: 14 days on / 7 days off, 10-hour shifts
About the Role
Lower Nicola Site Services, part of the Infracon Group of Companies, is seeking experienced Grader Operators to join our Site Wide Services team at Highland Valley Copper. This multi-year construction project is expected to run through the end of 2027.
We are looking to connect with skilled grader operators who can support accurate, efficient, and safe grading operations on active mining, municipal, and civil construction sites.
This role is best suited for an experienced operator with a strong background in road construction, subdivision work, municipal infrastructure, fine grading, subgrade preparation, gravel placement, ditching, shoulder work, and working around active construction crews and equipment. Experience working with GPS or machine control systems is considered a strong asset.
The successful candidate will work closely with foremen, surveyors, grademen, pipe crews, excavator operators, labourers, truck drivers, inspectors, and project teams to ensure grading work is completed safely, accurately, and to project specifications.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Grader Operator who takes pride in quality workmanship, versatility, and contributing to a safe and productive work environment.
Key Responsibilities
Grader Operation
- Operate graders safely and efficiently to support mining construction, municipal infrastructure, and civil construction activities
- Perform rough grading, fine grading, shaping, sloping, ditching, road preparation, and surface finishing
- Grade roads, lanes, shoulders, ditches, subgrades, gravel surfaces, access roads, and work areas to project requirements
- Support preparation for curb and gutter, sidewalk, paving, drainage, road base, and surface restoration work
- Spread, level, shape, and finish granular materials, road base, and subgrade surfaces
- Maintain proper crown, cross slope, drainage, and surface elevations as required
- Work safely around active equipment, trucks, workers on foot, traffic control, utilities, trenches, and public-facing work zones
Municipal Roadwork & Civil Construction Support
- Support municipal road upgrades, subdivision servicing, drainage improvements, utility restoration, mining construction, and civil infrastructure projects
- Coordinate grading work with underground utility installation, trench backfill, compaction, concrete, paving, and restoration activities
- Work closely with foremen, grademen, surveyors, inspectors, and operators to confirm grades, slopes, and finished surfaces
- Assist with road reconstruction, gravel placement, ditch shaping, shoulder grading, access improvements, and site preparation
- Identify grade conflicts, drainage concerns, unsuitable material, utility conflicts, or constructability issues and report them promptly to supervision
- Adapt to changing project requirements, site conditions, weather, traffic, and operational priorities
GPS, Grade & Precision Work
- Work to grade using stakes, hubs, offsets, plans, profiles, survey information, GPS, or direction from supervisors and surveyors
- Use machine control or GPS systems where available to support accurate grading and efficient production
- Support accurate subgrade preparation, road base placement, drainage grades, shoulder slopes, and finished elevations
- Communicate clearly with grademen, surveyors, and foremen to confirm layout and grade requirements
- Help reduce rework by maintaining strong attention to detail and checking work as grading progresses
- Support efficient sequencing of grading activities to keep follow-on work moving
Equipment Care & Maintenance
- Complete daily equipment inspections and pre-use checks
- Report equipment deficiencies, damage, maintenance issues, or safety concerns promptly
- Maintain equipment in a clean, safe, and work-ready condition
- Follow proper start-up, shut-down, fueling, parking, and maintenance procedures
- Monitor equipment performance throughout the shift and report concerns early
- Operate equipment within safe working limits and manufacturer guidelines
Safety & Compliance
- Follow all company, client, and project safety policies, procedures, and safe work practices
- Participate in daily safety meetings, toolbox talks, field-level hazard assessments, inspections, and site orientations
- Maintain strong awareness around active equipment, traffic, workers on foot, trenches, utilities, slopes, haul routes, and changing site conditions
- Use required personal protective equipment at all times
- Follow site-specific traffic management, equipment operation, excavation, utility, and roadwork requirements
- Identify and report hazards, incidents, near misses, unsafe conditions, utility concerns, and environmental issues
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to safe production, quality, teamwork, and professional conduct
What You Bring
- Strong grader operating experience in mining construction, municipal infrastructure, civil construction, road construction, subdivision work, or earthworks
- Experience with road grading, fine grading, subgrade preparation, gravel placement, shaping, ditching, and surface finishing
- Strong understanding of grades, slopes, drainage, road crossfall, crowns, shoulders, and finished surfaces
- Experience supporting curb and gutter, sidewalk, paving, road base, trench restoration, and municipal roadwork is considered an asset
- GPS or machine control experience is considered a strong asset
- Ability to work safely and productively around pipe crews, labourers, surveyors, inspectors, trucks, equipment, traffic, and workers on foot
- Experience working in active municipal construction environments, including traffic control areas, existing utilities, and public-facing work zones
- Strong communication skills and ability to work as part of a coordinated civil construction crew
- Reliable, punctual, and willing to travel for project-based work
- Safety-focused attitude with pride in quality workmanship and accurate grading
Qualifications
- Previous experience as a Grader Operator in mining construction, municipal or civil construction is required
- Experience in municipal infrastructure, road construction, subdivision development, drainage, utilities, site servicing, or earthworks is strongly preferred
- Experience with fine grading, gravel placement, road base preparation, curb and gutter preparation, sidewalk preparation, and surface restoration is considered an asset
- GPS or machine control experience is considered an asset
- Valid Class 5 driver's licence and reliable transportation is required
- Ground Disturbance, CSTS, WHMIS, First Aid, or other safety certifications are considered assets depending on project requirements
- Ability to work outdoors in varying weather and site conditions
- Ability to travel to project locations throughout Western Canada in the future is preferred, although this specific job at HVC is running until the end of 2027
- Must be eligible to work in Canada
- Drug and alcohol testing may be required depending on client, site, or project requirements
Working Conditions
- Potential for future project-based work in various locations throughout Western Canada
- Work will primarily support mining construction, municipal infrastructure, civil construction, roadwork, underground utility, drainage, and earthworks projects
- Outdoor work in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, snow, dust, mud, and uneven terrain
- Exposure to active equipment, traffic, noise, haul routes, trenches, excavations, utilities, slopes, and changing site conditions
- Physically active construction environment requiring strong situational awareness and safe equipment operation
- Shift schedules, rotations, overtime, and travel requirements may vary by project
Compensation & Benefits
- Wage range of $37.00 – $41.00 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications
- Full-time and project-based opportunities may be available
- Benefits and applicable company programs may be available based on employment status and eligibility
- Opportunity to support mining construction, municipal infrastructure, roadwork, underground utility, and civil construction projects across Western Canada in the future
Additional Information:
- Shift Schedule: 14 days on / 7 days off, 10-hour shifts.
- Shuttle Service Provided: Transportation to and from the Highland Valley Copper mine site will be available from Kamloops and Merritt.
- No camp accommodations or LOA provided.
- Only local candidates or those willing to commute to shuttle pick-up points will be considered.
What Success Looks Like
- Road grading, fine grading, shaping, ditching, and surface preparation work is completed safely, accurately, and efficiently
- Grades, slopes, crowns, crossfalls, drainage, subgrades, and finished surfaces meet project requirements
- Curb and gutter, sidewalk, paving, road base, and surface restoration activities are properly supported
- Foremen, surveyors, grademen, inspectors, pipe crews, and truck drivers receive clear communication and reliable equipment support
- Equipment is inspected daily, maintained properly, and kept work-ready
- Grade issues, drainage concerns, utility conflicts, material concerns, or site conflicts are identified early and communicated promptly
- Work is completed with strong attention to safety, quality, production, and teamwork
Why Join Us
- Work with an experienced civil construction and municipal infrastructure team
- Support roadwork, underground utility, and municipal infrastructure projects across Western Canada
- Apply your grader operating experience on meaningful infrastructure work
- Be part of a company focused on safe production, quality work, and operational excellence
- Contribute to infrastructure projects that support communities across the region
