Forest Road Machine Operators
Job description
These individuals operate and maintain the machinery used to build and maintain forest roads (excavators, graders, etc.). They work for mining companies, public works departments, or logging companies.
Environment
- Equipment, machinery, tools
- Vehicle or passenger compartment
- Nontoxic dust
- Uncontrolled ambient temperature
- Hazardous workplaces
- Noise
- Vibration
Main tasks
- Operate heavy machinery (excavators, graders, etc.) to clear brush, remove stumps, and build roads.
- Inspect, clean, and lubricate machinery, and refill their tanks.
- Repair machinery in the forest, as required.
Advancement and mobility
- Experience leads to supervisory positions.
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
Secondary
DVS in conduite d'engins de chantier
Placement rate: 81.8%
7.6% of graduates pursue further studies
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Operations and control
- Data collection
- Monitoring operations
- Information processing
- Result evaluation
- Active learning
- Active listening
- Reading comprehension
- Coordination
- Critical thought
- Troubleshooting
- Equipment maintenance
- Equipment selection
- Oral expression
- Time management
- Judgment and decision-making
- Social perception
- Persuasion
- Repair
- Solving complex problems
Abilities
- Control accuracy
- Limb coordination
- Depth perception
- Manual dexterity
- Reaction time
- Speed control
- Distance vision
- Hand-arm stability
- Response orientation
- Near vision
- Spatial orientation
- Auditory attention
- Digital dexterity
- Peripheral vision
- Hearing sensitivity
- Awareness of issues
- Oral comprehension
- Verbal skills
- Speech recognition
- Selective attention
- Speech clarity
- Colour perception and distinction
- Written comprehension
- Deductive reasoning
- Static muscle power
- Inductive reasoning
- Limb movement speed
- Time sharing
- Perception speed
- Processing flexibility
- Visualization
Knowledge and attributes
- Focussed on results
- Autonomy
- Sense of responsibility
- Versatility
- Intermediate knowledge of the English language
- Respect standards and regulations
- Assiduity and punctuality
- Knowledge of buildings and construction
- Timeliness
- Knowledge of mechanics
Interests
- Work in transportation and maintenance
- Self-employment
- Work manually
- Work outdoors
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Enterprising
- People with this profile prefer having responsibilities, influencing others and responding to challenges.
- Conventional
- People with this profile prefer specific, well-defined tasks. They like to respect the order of things and follow established rules.
Appellation d’emploi liée (à traduire)
Heavy equipment operators (CNP 73400)
Skill type
Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
Last update: January 29, 2026