Historic Locomotive Operator and Maintenance Coordinator 2026
Job Description
This dual-focused role ensures the smooth operation of both front-of-house interpretive activities as well as our conservation and maintenance activities. It includes conducting a range of excellent quality public tours, mainly focused on our historic train. The Locomotive Technician is also responsible for maintaining the Atlas’ 1930s electric mining locomotive, and the site’s underground tour safety equipment. All duties must be performed in compliance with the Atlas’ occupational health & safety policies and to a high standard throughout the employment period.
Responsibilities:
- Learn the history of coal mining in the Drumheller Valley, including the work and home life of the miners, the technical operation of the Atlas, and the social context in which the mines operated.
- Learn to effectively perform public tours (public programming), using Atlas Coal Mine program outlines and interpretation standards.
- Training and tour development will be supported by the curator and line managers.
- Present high-quality public programming, as outlined in daily schedules. This programming will be mainly focused on train tours, but will also include specialty tours, industry familiarity (‘FAM’) tours and privately booked group tours, as required.
- All tours will follow specific health and safety protocols and guides are responsible for public compliance of these protocols.
- Perform locomotive maintenance duties including, but not limited to, wet cell battery maintenance, differential lubrication, electric contact cleaning, axle greasing, troubleshooting, rerailing, and maintaining logs on all work completed, including daily inspection logs.
- Perform maintenance on underground safety equipment, duties include but are not limited to wet cell battery maintenance, inspecting safety helmets, and replacing disposable batteries.
- Assisting in the upkeep of a clean and welcoming workspace, by keeping the work areas and tools clean and ready for the next person.
- Assisting to keep both public and staff washrooms in a clean and sanitary manner. Carefully following all safety protocols on the worksite.
- As we are a small team at the Atlas, assisting others with tasks may be required throughout the job term.
Qualifications, Experience, and Competencies:
We require at least one year of post-secondary education, preferably in archaeology, museum studies, engineering, theatre technician, or a closely related discipline. Basic first-aid certification is required prior to the first day of work. CSA approved steel-toed footwear is required. A valid driver’s license is required. A positive, flexible, caring attitude is necessary, and we expect all Atlas employees to take care of themselves, their teammates, and our visitors throughout their work term. A strong willingness to learn new skills in a challenging, complex work environment is required. Some mechanical aptitude would be an asset.
We thrive in a diverse work environment and encourage all qualified applicants to apply. We warmly encourage applicants from equity groups (such as Indigenous youth, youth with disabilities, visible minorities, members of the2SLGBTQ+ community, and new Canadians). This position is funding dependent, and all successful applicants must be eligible for the Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations program. Eligibility requirements are available here: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/young-canada-works/students-graduates/heritage-organizations-students.html
Work Environment and Compensation:
The Atlas is an outdoor historic industrial site in a rural location. All site buildings are designated historic resources. Work conditions can be challenging at times, due to the nature of the site and the Drumheller environment (extreme heat during the summer, difficult local terrain, historic buildings). The job requires extensive walking, crouching, stretching, and occasional lifting of up to 20+kg.
Locomotive Technician will work a rotating schedule, including weekends.
The Locomotive Technician will work 35 hours a week, and hours per week will not normally exceed 44.
Rate of pay is $21.80/hour. The post term is from May 4 through Sept 7, 2026.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Jay Russell (Curator): recruitment@atlascoalmine.ab.ca.