Cochrane is located in the breathtaking Bow Valley corridor in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in southern Alberta. With a population of over 37,000 people, and growing steadily every year, Cochrane is a thriving town, surrounded by world-famous ranch country. Our western heritage is reflected in the Town’s architecture and our friendly people. The Town of Cochrane welcomes innovative and skilled individuals to join our team of over 250 employees.
Who are we looking for?
We are seeking a Heavy Equipment Technician Apprentice (3rd or 4th Year) to join our Fleet Services team. This role is designed for a dedicated individual who is committed to technical excellence and workforce sustainability while executing progressively complex mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical repairs. Reporting to the Manager, Fleet Services, and receiving daily guidance from the Senior Heavy Equipment Technician, you will support the maintenance of Cochrane’s diverse municipal fleet. If you are a growth-oriented apprentice with a safety-first mindset and a passion for continuous learning in a municipal environment, we want to hear from you.
The successful candidate for this role will receive significant financial and professional investment including tuition reimbursement, relocation assistance (if required), and specialized training. The successful candidate will be required to sign a Retention Agreement which includes a two-year service commitment to the Town of Cochrane following the successful completion of your Red Seal certification.
Why build your career with Cochrane?
Cochrane is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Canada, providing a unique environment for apprentices to develop into high-level technical professionals. As a Heavy Equipment Technician Apprentice, your career growth with us includes:
- We prioritize your progression by tracking technical hours and provincial competency milestones to ensure you are ready for Red Seal interprovincial exam eligibility.
- You will gain hands-on experience with advanced electronic diagnostics and Tier 4/5 emission systems under the mentorship of a Senior HET.
- Develop your skills in the Fleet Information Management Software (FIMS) to provide data-backed lifecycle recommendations, preparing you for future leadership roles in asset management.
- You will maintain and repair a wide range of assets, from heavy construction equipment like graders and loaders and light-duty vehicles.
- Build your future in a supportive environment that prioritizes a healthy and safe workplace while you learn to meet strict provincial CVIP and National Safety Code standards
What are some of the duties of the Heavy Equipment Technician Apprentice?
- Perform inspections, preventative maintenance, and repairs on a wide range of municipal equipment, including commercial trucks, graders, fire apparatus, and light-duty vehicles, as well as small equipment such as 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
Qualifications, Skills and Abilities
Education and Experience
Required:
- 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).
Preferred:
- 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.
Skills and Abilities
Required:
- 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
Certifications, Licenses and/or Designations
Required:
- 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.
Preferred
- Emergency Vehicle Technician (EVT) Certification or the ability to obtain it.
- Successful completion of Defensive Driver Training
The Town of Cochrane is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment for all employees. As an employee, you must take reasonable care to protect your health and safety and that of others by following all relevant legislation, Town directives, and procedures.
Still interested? Here’s how to apply:
- Qualified individuals are encouraged to submit a resume detailing how your professional experience matches the required qualifications and learning milestones for this apprentice role.
- All candidates will be requested to complete an online suitability survey.
- Applications for this position will be accepted until 9pm MST, June 25, 2026. Please apply at www.cochrane.ca/jobs.
- This personal information is collected in accordance with ATIA.
- The hourly rate for a 3rd Year Heavy Equipment Technician Apprentice is between $35.40/hr and $36.47/hr, based on a 40 hour work week, and is governed by Pay Grid 5 of the Teamsters Collective Agreement.
- The hourly rate for a 4th Year Heavy Equipment Technician Apprentice is between $36.92/hr and $38.04/hr, based on a 40 hour work week, and is governed by Pay Grid 4 of the Teamsters Collective Agreement.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All applicants must be legally entitled to live and work in Canada.
Land Acknowledgement
In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
