Power Shovel Operators
Job description
These individuals do excavation work. They operate various types of shovels and other similar stationary or mobile excavating equipment, track-mounted or on wheels. They dig earth and move rock or gravel during construction work. They work for:
- Construction companies
- Public works departments
- Forestry and mining companies
Environment
- Equipment, machinery, tools
- Vehicle or passenger compartment
- Nontoxic dust
- Hazardous workplaces
- Noise
- Vibration
Main tasks
- Operate backhoes, cranes, and pivoted arm excavators.
- Load and unload trucks.
- Remove rock or ore from a mine or quarry.
- Ensure compliance with safety rules.
- Inspect, clean, and lubricate machines and fill their tanks.
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
Also required
- Certificate of qualification issued by the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ [Quebec Construction Industry Commission]).
Sometimes required
- A Class 5 driver’s licence may be an asset.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Operations and control
- Monitoring operations
- Result evaluation
- Information processing
- Data collection
- Coordination
- Troubleshooting
- Equipment maintenance
Abilities
- Control accuracy
- Limb coordination
- Depth perception
- Near vision
- Distance vision
- Speed control
- Manual dexterity
- Awareness of issues
- Hand-arm stability
- Reaction time
- Oral comprehension
- Verbal skills
- Selective attention
- Time sharing
- Deductive reasoning
- Perception speed
- Response orientation
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
- 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