Heavy Equipment Technician Apprentice (3rd or 4th Year)

Town of Cochrane•Cochrane, AB

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The Town of Cochrane is seeking a Heavy Equipment Technician Apprentice (3rd or 4th Year) to join their Fleet Services team. This role is designed for a dedicated individual committed to technical excellence and workforce sustainability, executing progressively complex mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical repairs. Reporting to the Manager, Fleet Services, and receiving daily guidance from the Senior Heavy Equipment Technician, the apprentice will support the maintenance of Cochrane’s diverse municipal fleet. This is a growth-oriented apprenticeship with a safety-first mindset and a passion for continuous learning in a municipal environment. The successful candidate will receive significant financial and professional investment, including tuition reimbursement, relocation assistance, and specialized training. A two-year service commitment to the Town of Cochrane is required following the successful completion of Red Seal certification, secured by a Retention Agreement.

Requirements

Must be registered as a 3rd or 4th-year Apprentice in the Heavy Equipment Technician trade with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT).
Must have successfully completed 2nd or 3rd-year technical schooling with a passing grade.
Must have a minimum of 2–3 years of hands-on experience in a heavy equipment shop environment.
High School Diploma or equivalent (G.E.D).
Ability to apply advanced logic and critical thinking to resolve sophisticated faults across interlocking systems.
Competent in using calipers, micrometers, and other precision instruments to verify component tolerances during engine repairs.
Proficient in reading and interpreting complex electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic schematics.
Skilled in utilizing OEM-specific software and Fleet Information Management Software (FIMS) for technical data entry and research.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment while providing guidance to more junior apprentices.
Comprehensive knowledge of Alberta CVIP and NSC standards with a commitment to a safety-first mindset.
Valid Alberta Class 3 Driver’s License (or provincial equivalent) with a Q (Air Brake) Endorsement.
Current registration as a 3rd or 4th-year Apprentice with Alberta AIT.
Ability to obtain, or currently hold, a Province of Alberta Commercial Vehicle Inspection Program (CVIP) Technician license.
All applicants must be legally entitled to live and work in Canada.

Nice To Haves

Related experience working within a municipal fleet environment.
A diverse set of skills working on different vehicles and equipment with an emphasis on advanced electrical and hydraulic systems.
Emergency Vehicle Technician (EVT) Certification or the ability to obtain it.
Successful completion of Defensive Driver Training.

Responsibilities

Perform inspections, preventative maintenance, and repairs on a wide range of municipal equipment, including commercial trucks, graders, fire apparatus, light-duty vehicles, and small equipment like lawnmowers and tractors.
Utilize electronic diagnostic software to troubleshoot engine, transmission, and hydraulic faults under technical supervision.
Execute the teardown, precision inspection, and rebuild of heavy-duty engines, transmissions, and drive axles to strict manufacturer specifications.
Diagnose and repair high-pressure hydraulic circuits, control valves, and actuators found on various heavy equipment classes.
Complete mechanical repairs to Alberta CVIP standards to ensure all safety-critical items are addressed.
Assist the Senior HET in researching standard replacement parts and components for a diverse range of municipal equipment using established vendor catalogs and manuals.
Maintain professional communication with external vendors to receive status updates on pending parts orders and relay delivery timelines to the shop team.
Maintain work orders and record repair steps in accordance with National Safety Code (NSC) Standards 11 and 13.
Participate in and lead sections of daily toolbox talks while conducting Field Level Hazard Assessments (FLHA) for assigned repairs.
Write concise service reports and record labor, parts, and technical findings within the Fleet Information Management Software (FIMS).
Execute technical welding and fabrication tasks to maintain the structural integrity of heavy equipment assets and attachments.
Synthesize complex repair outcomes in FIMS to provide technical justifications for critical Repair vs. Replace recommendations.
Effectively manage emergency vehicle failures and shifts in priority during critical snow or utility events.
Communicate with internal customers regarding equipment status in a tactful, professional, and approachable manner.