There’s Never a Dull Moment for SaskEnergy’s Equipment Operators!

Sometimes your work speaks for itself.

That was certainly the case for two of SaskEnergy’s Construction team members. Both Nick Stone and Lucas Sabit found themselves applying for positions as Equipment Operators after working alongside SaskEnergy crews in their previous jobs. 

“I was working for a company doing horizontal directional drilling, and we frequently did jobs for SaskEnergy. The company was great to do work for — organized, efficient, professional — I really enjoyed doing the jobs for SaskEnergy,” says Nick. “When I saw the SaskEnergy job postings online I knew I’d be crazy not to apply.”

A year later, Lucas found himself in the same position.

“I was working as a hydrovac operator for a company that did a lot of work for SaskEnergy. I was always interested in the company’s work, and the crews were always great to work with. They helped convince me to apply next time a position came up.”

The feeling was mutual, as both Nick and Lucas were hired. (SaskEnergy is currently hiring for this role in Saskatoon. The closing date for applications for this opportunity is March 31, 2026.)

For Nick, who spent years doing trenching, excavating and hydrovacing in addition to the directional drilling work, the diverse needs of the job were part of the appeal when he applied six years ago.

“When people think of an Equipment Operator, they think of a person who just sits in a piece of equipment and doesn’t get their boots dirty. Here at SaskEnergy that’s definitely not the case,” explains Nick. “Not only do we operate equipment, but we help install and maintain infrastructure, build, fuse and thread pipe, help with flaring and purging, cross other utilities — the list goes on.”

While Lucas’ experience as a hydrovac operator serves him well as an Equipment Operator, the job is a lot more diverse than he first expected.

“Equipment Operators at SaskEnergy operate much more than one piece of equipment,” he says. “SaskEnergy has provided excellent hands-on training with knowledgeable people. After almost five years working here, I’m comfortable in the equipment and enjoy the variety of work.”

With Class 1A driver’s licenses, Nick and Lucas are also responsible for hauling equipment to site, which includes safely planning routes, parking and unloading on site.

“At times you feel like a truck driver, equipment operator, labourer, pipe fitter, wash bay guy, mechanic, and landscaper,” says Nick. “Having a good understanding of all aspects of a job is extremely important, as it helps us do our job better.”

As with any job at SaskEnergy, working as an Equipment Operator also requires a strong focus on safety. 

“On any work site, we work together to get the job done safely — from inspecting the equipment every day, to driving and planning safely, to ensuring proper excavation on site,” Lucas says. “Doing our job properly is critical not only to our personal safety, but to the safety of the entire team and the public.”

While being an Equipment Operator on one of SaskEnergy’s Construction crews can often mean being away from home during the week, the job also offers a lot of benefits that both Nick and Lucas appreciate, including:

Good job stability

“Being on the road can be a bit tough, especially as a new dad,” admits Lucas. “However, working here has provided me with stability and the ability to care for my family now and in the future.”

Getting to work outside

“I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors, and when you can put in a day's work outside in nice weather getting exercise and fresh air it feels good, both mentally and physically,” says Nick. “You also get to see some pretty unique scenery at times traveling around Saskatchewan in rural areas.”

Opportunity to constantly learn and grow

“I’m still learning new things every day at SaskEnergy,” says Lucas. “Whether it's a new piece of equipment, or a new excavation technique, there's always something to learn with so much knowledge in the Construction team.”

Nick agrees. “Every day is an opportunity to learn new things. It’s exciting and challenging, working in a constantly evolving industry and being part of safely delivering natural gas to the province.”