Heavy Equipment Operators

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR Papua LNG Project | Papua New Guinea

Employer / Recruitment Partner: NES Fircroft
Project: Papua LNG
Location: Papua New Guinea
Employment Type: Project / Contract
Eligibility: Papua New Guinea Nationals Only

About the Opportunity NES Fircroft is seeking experienced and safety-focused Heavy Equipment Operators to support upcoming works associated with the Papua LNG Project in Papua New Guinea.

This opportunity is exclusively available to PNG Nationals and is aimed at experienced operators with backgrounds in LNG, oil & gas, mining, civil construction, infrastructure, earthworks, logistics or other major industrial projects.

NES Fircroft is recruiting across multiple equipment and vehicle categories, and candidates are encouraged to apply based on the equipment they are trained, competent and experienced to operate.

Successful candidates will work as part of multidisciplinary construction, civil, logistics and site support teams, operating equipment safely and efficiently in accordance with manufacturer requirements, site procedures, approved work instructions and project safety standards.

Equipment & Operator Categories We are interested in hearing from operators experienced with equipment and vehicles including, but not limited to:

• Excavators
• Bulldozers / Dozers
• Wheel Loaders / Front-End Loaders
• Graders
• Rollers / Compactors
• Backhoes
• Skid Steers
• Articulated Dump Trucks
• Rigid Dump Trucks
• Water Trucks / Water Carts
• Fuel Trucks
• Vacuum Trucks
• Telehandlers
• Forklifts
• Sidebooms / Pipelayers
• Tractors
• Heavy Rigid Vehicles
• Prime Movers / Heavy Combination Vehicles
• Low Loaders / Float Trucks
• Personnel or Material Transport Vehicles
• Other specialised construction and earthmoving equipment

Candidates should clearly identify on their application each equipment or vehicle type they are qualified, competent and experienced to operate.

Key Responsibilities As a Heavy Equipment Operator, your responsibilities may include:

• Safely operate assigned heavy equipment or vehicles in accordance with project procedures and manufacturer requirements.
• Undertake earthworks, excavation, grading, loading, hauling, compaction, material handling, site preparation or other activities relevant to the assigned equipment.
• Conduct daily pre-start inspections and operational checks before using equipment.
• Complete equipment pre-start, inspection and operating documentation accurately.
• Identify and immediately report equipment defects, damage or unsafe operating conditions.
• Ensure equipment is operated within its rated capacity and intended purpose.
• Follow approved traffic management plans, haul routes and designated access requirements.
• Comply with speed limits, exclusion zones, spotter requirements and site traffic rules.
• Maintain awareness of personnel, structures, overhead services, underground services and other equipment within the work area.
• Work safely around lifting operations, excavations and other construction activities.
• Assist with safe loading, unloading and movement of materials where applicable.
• Park, isolate and secure equipment correctly when not in operation.
• Maintain equipment cleanliness and undertake basic operator-level checks as required.
• Immediately report incidents, near misses, equipment damage and hazards.
• Work closely with supervisors, spotters, civil crews, riggers, logistics personnel and other equipment operators.
• Maintain good housekeeping around equipment and designated work areas.
• Participate in pre-start meetings, toolbox talks, Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) and other project safety activities.
• Follow all site Health, Safety, Security and Environment requirements.
• Carry out other reasonable duties as directed by the relevant Supervisor or Superintendent.

Qualifications & Experience Candidates should ideally have:

• Relevant operator training, competency certification or recognised licence for the equipment or vehicle being operated.
• Demonstrated practical experience operating one or more types of heavy equipment or vehicles.
• Previous experience within LNG, oil & gas, mining, civil construction, infrastructure, earthworks, logistics or major industrial projects.
• Sound understanding of daily equipment inspections and pre-start checks.
• Good knowledge of safe heavy equipment operating practices.
• Ability to recognise equipment faults, defects and unsafe operating conditions.
• Understanding of site traffic management requirements and interaction between mobile equipment and personnel.
• Experience operating in active construction environments.
• Ability to safely operate equipment across varying ground and site conditions.
• Good understanding of exclusion zones, spotter requirements and communication protocols.
• Experience working around excavations, lifting operations and other mobile plant.
• Strong commitment to workplace health and safety.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multicultural and multidisciplinary project team.
• Previous LNG, oil & gas or major project experience will be highly regarded.

Mandatory Requirements Applicants must:

• Be a Papua New Guinea Citizen / National.
• Hold valid identification and supporting documentation confirming PNG citizenship.
• Hold a valid PNG driver's licence for vehicle categories where required.
• Hold relevant operator licences, certificates of competency, training records or other evidence of competency applicable to the equipment being operated.
• Demonstrate previous practical operating experience with the equipment nominated in their application.
• Be prepared to undertake project-specific operator verification or competency assessments where required.
• Be willing to work at designated project locations within Papua New Guinea.
• Be willing and able to work the project roster and scheduled working hours.
• Be medically fit to perform the inherent requirements of the role and successfully complete applicable pre-employment medical requirements.
• Comply with all project alcohol and other drug, safety, security and site access requirements.

Skills & Competencies We are looking for candidates who demonstrate:

• Safety First: Consistently operates equipment safely and follows established project procedures and controls.
• Equipment Competency: Demonstrates practical knowledge and safe operation of the equipment categories for which they are applying.
• Situational Awareness: Maintains awareness of personnel, other equipment, site conditions and potential hazards.
• Equipment Care: Conducts appropriate pre-start checks and reports faults or defects promptly.
• Operational Control: Operates equipment smoothly, efficiently and within its designed operating limits.
• Teamwork: Works effectively with supervisors, spotters, civil crews, logistics teams and other operators.
• Communication: Understands and responds appropriately to radio communications, hand signals and instructions.
• Reliability: Demonstrates good attendance, punctuality and a strong work ethic.
• Quality: Completes allocated work safely and to the required project standard.
• Respect: Works professionally and respectfully with colleagues, communities and stakeholders.

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.