Ground Worker - Kearl Oil Sands - 14x7 (FIFO) Alberta

North American Construction Group (NACG) is hiring Ground Workers / Labourers for the Kearl Oil Sands Project in the Fort McMurray area of Alberta. The position follows a 14 x 7 rotational schedule consisting of 7 day shifts, 7 night shifts, and 7 days off, with 12-hour shifts paid for the full 12 hours. Ground Workers support mining and maintenance operations by steam cleaning heavy equipment, completing seasonal snow removal, operating fork trucks, transporting parts and materials, and assisting with general ground-level site support. NACG offers a competitive combined hourly pay rates, night shift premium, overtime, weekly pay, camp accommodations, flights from Edmonton or Calgary, and bussing between Fort McMurray and the Kearl site. Successful candidates become members of IUOE Local 955 and can qualify for medical, dental, and pension benefits after 400 hours worked.

Position

Ground Worker

Work Rotation

14 x 7, (7 days, 7 nights, and 7 off)

Accommodations

Fly-In/Fly-Out (FIFO) and Camp Accommodations (Meals/Lodging)

Responsibilities

The Kearl Skilled Ground Worker supports NACG mining and maintenance operations by cleaning equipment, handling parts and materials, completing seasonal site maintenance, and assisting with the safe movement of supplies around the remote oil sands worksite. The position combines physical labour with the operation of fork trucks and company vehicles while following strict mining safety procedures.

  • Steam clean heavy equipment and other machinery as required to support maintenance, inspection, and general mine site operations.
  • Complete seasonal snow removal around the maintenance shop, front parking lot, and other assigned work areas to help maintain safe access during winter conditions.
  • Operate fork trucks to safely move parts, materials, supplies, and other items around the Kearl worksite.
  • Operate company vehicles to pick up parts and transport equipment, supplies, and other requested items between work areas.
  • Support shop, maintenance, and mine operations through general labour duties and material handling assignments.
  • Perform frequent lifting and other physically demanding outdoor work throughout 12-hour shifts.
  • Review safe work plans and hazard assessments before beginning assigned tasks.
  • Identify job hazards and follow established controls before and during work activities.
  • Use appropriate safety equipment and required personal protective equipment for each assigned task.
  • Comply with NACG, client, and legislated health and safety policies, procedures, and work practices.
  • Work safely around mobile equipment, vehicles, maintenance activities, and active mining operations.
  • Communicate effectively with supervisors, operators, maintenance personnel, and other crew members to coordinate work safely.
  • Maintain a safety-first approach while working outdoors in changing Alberta weather and mine site conditions.

Requirements

Candidates for the NACG Skilled Ground Worker position at Kearl must have previous labour experience, a valid driver's licence, required site safety certifications, and the physical ability to perform demanding outdoor work. Previous mining experience is preferred, and successful applicants must be able to work effectively within a safety-focused remote oil sands environment.

  • At least 2 years of previous experience in a labourer or comparable ground worker role.
  • At least 1 year of previous mine site experience preferred.
  • Physically fit and capable of repeatedly lifting up to 50 lbs.
  • Ability to perform frequent lifting, material handling, and outdoor work during 12-hour 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.
  • Valid CSO certification.
  • Wood Buffalo Wildlife Awareness certification.
  • Ability to work effectively with supervisors, operators, maintenance personnel, and other crew members.
  • High school diploma, GED, and/or post-secondary education considered an asset.
  • Available to work the 14 x 7 rotational schedule, including 7 consecutive day shifts followed by 7 consecutive night shifts.

Perks and Benefits

NACG offers Skilled Ground Workers at the Kearl Oil Sands site a combined rate of up to $33.74/hour along with overtime, shift premiums, remote camp accommodation, transportation, union membership, and benefit eligibility. The rotational position also provides weekly pay and access to pension and health coverage after the required hours of employment are completed.

  • Combined hourly rate of up to $33.74/hour.
  • Additional night shift premium of $1.20/hour.
  • Overtime after 8 hours per day or 44 hours per week.
  • 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 Kearl worksite.
  • Flights provided to and from Edmonton or Calgary.
  • Bussing provided between Fort McMurray and the Kearl site 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

Kearl Oil Sands Project

The Kearl Oil Sands Project, located 70 kilometers north of Fort McMurray, Alberta, is a major oil sands mining operation owned by Imperial Oil, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil. Since its production began in 2013, the project has utilized advanced extraction technologies like froth treatment to separate bitumen from oil sands, which is then upgraded into synthetic crude oil. The project is a significant contributor to Alberta's oil sands production, supporting the province's energy sector. In addition to its production efforts, Kearl emphasizes environmental stewardship through water management and land reclamation initiatives, while also fostering community engagement and economic development with local and Indigenous communities.

Kearl Oil Sands Project

Employer 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

Industry

Energy

Date

2026-08-24

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Ground Worker
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