74205 – Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers

Lead statement

Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers operate vehicles and equipment to maintain streets, highways and sewer systems and operate trucks to collect garbage and recyclable materials. This unit group also includes workers who clear vegetation close to power lines.

Main duties

• Operate garbage trucks to remove garbage and other refuse and dump loads at designated sites
• Operate street cleaning equipment such as street sweepers or other vehicles equipped with rotating brushes to remove sand, litter and trash
• Operate snowplows or trucks fitted with plow blades to remove snow from streets, highways, parking lots and similar areas
• Operate sewer maintenance equipment such as rodders and sewer jet cleaners to maintain and repair sewer systems
• Operate trucks equipped with apparatuses for spreading sand, salt or abrasives on roadways
• Operate chainsaws and other clearing equipment to fell trees and cut back vegetation close to power lines
• Check, lubricate, refuel and clean equipment and report any malfunctions to supervisor.

Employment requirements

• Experience as a public works labourer is usually required.
• A driver's licence appropriate to a specific type of equipment may be required.
• On-the-job training is provided.
• Trade certification for utility arborists is available, but voluntary, in Ontario and British Columbia.
• Some secondary school may be required.

Example job titles

public works maintenance equipment operator · refuse truck driver - public works · sanitation truck driver · garbage truck driver - public works · garbage truck driver · collection truck driver - public works · sprinkling truck driver - public works · equipment operator - municipal public work · mechanical sweeper operator - public works · power sweeper operator - public works · highway snowplow operator · maintenance equipment operator - public works · municipal maintenance equipment operator · urban snow removal equipment operator - public works · highway snow removal equipment operator · snow removal equipment operator - public works · road snowplow operator - public works · street flusher operator · street sprinkler operator - public works · street flusher operator - public works · sand spreader operator · sand spreader operator - public works · sanding truck operator - public works · salt truck operator - public works · salt truck operator · street sweeper operator · street sweeper operator - public works · drain roto servicer - public works · municipal servicer drain roto · sewer flusher operator-driver - public works · sewer-flushing truck operator · sewer-flushing truck operator - public works · sewer jet machine operator - public works · sewer jet cleaner operator - public works · sewer-pipe-cleaning machine operator - public works · garbage collector - driver · electrical forester · utility arborist · utility forester · utility tree trimmer

Wages (per hour)

Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.