Ground Worker / Labourer - Fort Hills Oil Sands Project - 14x7 (Flights + Camp)
North American Construction Group (NACG) is hiring Ground Workers and Labourers for the Fort Hills Oil Sands Project in northern Alberta. The position follows a 14 days on and 7 days off rotational schedule with day and night shifts. Ground Workers support Fort Hills mining operations through seasonal snow removal, light vehicle operation, culvert and pipe installation, compaction work, dewatering support, material installation, and general ground-level construction and maintenance activities. NACG offers competitive combined pay rates, night shift premium, overtime opportunities, weekly pay, camp accommodations, flights from Edmonton or Calgary, and bussing between Fort McMurray and the worksite. Successful candidates become members of IUOE Local 955 and can qualify for medical, dental, and pension benefits after 400 hours worked.
Position
Field
Labour & SupportWork Rotation
Accommodations
Responsibilities
The Fort Hills Skilled Ground Worker supports NACG mining, construction, drainage, and site maintenance activities throughout the remote Alberta oil sands operation. The position involves physical labour, light vehicle operation, culvert and pipe installation, compaction work, snow removal, and the placement of erosion-control and ground-support materials while following strict mine safety procedures.
- Complete seasonal snow removal around the shop, front parking lot, access areas, and other assigned portions of the Fort Hills worksite.
- Drive light vehicles within the active mine while following site traffic procedures and established mine driving requirements.
- Install culverts and piping used for drainage, water management, road construction, and other mine site infrastructure.
- Use plate tampers and other hand-operated tools to compact materials and support construction, maintenance, and ground preparation work.
- Move light plants, heaters, and other portable site equipment to locations where they are required for operations or maintenance activities.
- Install silt fence, filter cloth, geogrid, and related materials used for erosion control, separation, stabilization, drainage, and ground construction.
- Assist with shoveling, raking, grading, laser-level work, backfilling, and other ground preparation activities when assigned.
- Support pump operation and dewatering activities used to control water around excavations, roads, work areas, and other parts of the mine site.
- Perform frequent lifting, carrying, and other physically demanding outdoor work during long rotational shifts.
- Review safe work plans and hazard assessments before beginning assigned tasks.
- Use appropriate personal protective equipment and other required safety equipment for each activity.
- Comply with NACG, client, and legislated health and safety policies, procedures, and work requirements.
- Work safely around mobile mining equipment, vehicles, construction activities, excavations, piping, pumps, and other active site hazards.
- Communicate effectively with supervisors and crew members and contribute to a safe, efficient, team-focused work environment.
Requirements
Candidates for the NACG Skilled Ground Worker position at Fort Hills must have previous labour and mine site experience, a valid Class 5 driver's licence, and the physical ability to complete demanding outdoor work. Experience with mine driving, dewatering, piping, grading, backfill, and related ground work is considered an asset.
- At least 2 years of previous experience in a labourer or comparable Skilled Ground Worker role.
- Minimum 1 year of previous mine site experience.
- Previous experience driving light vehicles within an active mine considered an asset.
- Previous experience with shoveling and raking considered an asset.
- Experience performing grade work and using laser-level equipment considered an asset.
- Experience managing pumps and supporting mine site dewatering activities considered an asset.
- Previous piping installation experience considered an asset.
- Experience completing backfill activities considered an asset.
- Physically fit and capable of repeatedly lifting up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to perform frequent lifting and physically demanding outdoor work during rotational shifts.
- Strong safety-first attitude and commitment to following mine site procedures.
- Attentive with strong listening skills when receiving instructions and safety information.
- Proficient in spoken and written English.
- Valid Class 5 Driver's Licence.
- Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with other employees in a remote mining environment.
- High school diploma, GED, and/or post-secondary education considered an asset.
- Available to work a 14 x 7 rotational schedule that includes both day and night shifts.
Perks and Benefits
NACG offers Skilled Ground Workers at the Fort Hills site a combined rate of up to $36.74/hour along with substantial overtime opportunities, shift premiums, camp accommodation, transportation, union membership, and benefit eligibility. Employees work a 14 x 7 rotational schedule and can earn up to 61 hours of overtime during a 14-day rotation.
- Combined rate of pay of up to $36.74/hour.
- Additional night shift premium of $1.20/hour.
- Overtime paid after 8 hours per day or 44 hours per week.
- Opportunity to earn up to 61 hours of overtime during a 14-day rotation.
- 12-hour scheduled shifts paid for the full 12 hours.
- Vacation pay allocated to each paycheck.
- Statutory holiday pay allocated to each paycheck.
- Weekly payroll.
- Camp accommodations provided at the remote Fort Hills site.
- Flights provided to and from Edmonton or Calgary.
- Bussing provided between Fort McMurray and the worksite before and after each rotation.
- Membership with International Union of Operating Engineers Local 955 for successful candidates.
- Medical and dental benefits available after 400 hours worked.
- Pension benefits available after 400 hours worked.
- Required PPE provided, with employees responsible for supplying their own CSA-certified steel-toed boots.
- Opportunities for career growth and future advancement with NACG.
Worksite/Project
Fort Hills Oil Sands Project
The Fort Hills Oil Sands Project is a major open-pit mining operation located in the Athabasca region of northern Alberta, approximately 90 km north of Fort McMurray. Operated by Suncor Energy—which holds the majority ownership—the site began production in 2018 and is one of Canada's most modern and efficient oil sands operations. With a production capacity of 194,000 barrels of bitumen per day, Fort Hills utilizes paraffinic froth treatment technology to produce a partially de-asphalted product with lower greenhouse gas emissions. This advanced method allows Suncor to deliver market-ready oil without the need for on-site upgrading, reducing environmental impact and improving efficiency. The project offers fly-in/fly-out (FIFO) employment opportunities with rotational schedules and modern remote camp accommodations. It employs over 1,400 workers, including heavy equipment operators, millwrights, electricians, and other skilled trades, making it a key employer in Alberta’s oil and gas industry. With an estimated mine life of 50 years, Fort Hills supports long-term economic growth in the region while maintaining strong commitments to sustainability, water recycling (93%), and Indigenous partnerships.
Fort Hills Oil Sands ProjectEmployer Hiring
North American Construction Group
North American Construction Group (NACG) is one of Canada's largest mining and heavy civil construction contractors, publicly traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the ticker NOA. Founded in 1953 and headquartered in Acheson, Alberta, the company provides contract mining, overburden removal, site development, earthworks, tailings management, and mine reclamation services across Canada, the United States, and Australia. Its core operations are concentrated in the Fort McMurray oil sands region of northern Alberta, where it delivers large-scale earthmoving and mine support to major oil, natural gas, and resource producers. NACG operates one of the largest independently owned fleets of haul trucks, shovels, and earthmoving equipment of any contractor in the region, and provides heavy equipment maintenance, rebuild, and support services through subsidiaries such as ML Northern Services. Its Australian operations, expanded through the acquisition of the MacKellar Group, serve the mining sector as a Tier 1 contractor. The company also works through several Indigenous partnerships, and holds a 49% interest in the Nuna Group of Companies, Canada's largest majority Inuit-owned mining and heavy civil contractor.
North American Construction Group