Public Works Maintenance Equipment Operators and Related Workers

(NOC 7522)

in All Trades and Transportation

Public works maintenance equipment operators use vehicles and equipment to maintain streets, highways and sewer systems and use trucks to collect garbage and recyclable materials. This group also includes workers who clear vegetation close to power lines, workers who inspect the condition of utility poles and workers who locate underground utility lines and pipes. They work for municipal, provincial and federal public works departments, private contractors under contract with government public works departments and private companies involved in the collection of refuse and recyclable materials.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 75 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

  • Estimate 4040 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 8425 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$15.00

Minimum

$21.00

Median

$28.61

Maximum

Annual Pay

$5,872

Minimum

$40,033

Median

$60,670

Maximum

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

Hourly Pay

$15.00

Minimum

$24.00

Median

$37.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,580

Minimum

$37,269

Median

$79,787

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Public works maintenance equipment operators use vehicles and equipment to maintain streets, highways and sewer systems and use trucks to collect garbage and recyclable materials. This group also includes workers who clear vegetation close to power lines, workers who inspect the condition of utility poles and workers who locate underground utility lines and pipes. They work for municipal, provincial and federal public works departments, private contractors under contract with government public works departments and private companies involved in the collection of refuse and recyclable materials.

Job duties

Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers:

  • Run garbage trucks to remove garbage and other refuse and dump loads at designated sites.
  • Use street cleaning equipment like street sweepers or other vehicles with rotating brushes to remove sand, litter, and trash.
  • Use snowplows or trucks fitted with plough blades to remove snow from streets, highways, parking lots and similar areas.
  • Use sewer maintenance equipment like sewer jet cleaners to maintain and repair sewer systems.
  • Use trucks equipped with road sanding and other similar gear.
  • Use chainsaws and other clearing equipment to cut down trees and cut back vegetation close to power lines.
  • Use equipment and hand tools to inspect and test utility poles for decay and deterioration.
  • Use equipment and instruments to locate underground utility lines and pipes.
  • Check, lubricate, refuel, and clean equipment and report any malfunctions to supervisor.

Sample job titles

  • garbage truck driver - public works
  • public works maintenance equipment operator
  • recycling truck driver - public works
  • salt truck operator - public works
  • sanitation truck driver
  • snowplough operator
  • utility arborist
  • utility pole inspector
  • utility tree trimmer

Skills

  • You should have good health, physical stamina, and strength. Agility, coordination, and a mechanical aptitude would be helpful. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by supervisors.

Job requirements

  • Some high school may be required.
  • Experience as a public works labourer is usually required.
  • On-the-job training is provided.
  • A driver's licence appropriate to a specific type of equipment may be required.

Other considerations

  • Movement to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

985

employed in 2016

82.2%

employed full-time

5.1%

self employed

3.6%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
96.4%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
50.9

median age

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

57,925

employed in 2016

85.9%

employed full-time

11.8%

self employed

5.3%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
94.7%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
46.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

32.8%

Halifax

$42,109 median annual income
22.2%

North Shore

$43,868 median annual income
21.2%

Cape Breton

$39,575 median annual income
12.6%

Southern

$33,936 median annual income
11.1%

Annapolis Valley

$30,113 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

48.0%

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

26.0%

Public administration

9.4%

Construction

7.9%

Transportation and warehousing

2.4%

Utilities

What is the age of Employment?

28.0%

45-54

22.0%

55-64

21.0%

35-44

12.0%

25-34

11.0%

65+

6.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

24.4%

45-54

22.1%

55-64

17.7%

35-44

17.7%

25-34

10.9%

15-24

Top levels of education

37.1%

Less than high school

$37,878 median annual income
32.0%

High school

$40,047 median annual income
16.2%

Trade Certification

$39,600 median annual income
13.2%

College Diploma

$42,205 median annual income
1.0%

Bachelor

N/A

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

29.2%

Trade Certification

$46,494 median annual income
25.5%

High school

$31,260 median annual income
22.3%

College Diploma

$42,050 median annual income
18.7%

Less than high school

$28,319 median annual income
2.8%

Bachelor

$30,527 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services
Halifax, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.