Trail Machine Operator

Build trails. Shape the ride. Travel Australia.

World Trail is looking for experienced machine operators to join our growing construction teams across Australia.

This isn’t conventional earthworks.

At World Trail, our machine operators play a critical role in creating the finished trail; shaping the alignment, features, drainage and overall riding experience. You’ll work closely with experienced trail designers and construction crews to turn natural terrain and design concepts into world-class mountain bike trails.

If you’re an experienced excavator operator who has an eye for detail, takes pride in your work and has a genuine interest in mountain biking and outdoor recreation, we’d like to hear from you.

About World Trail

World Trail is a global leader in mountain bike trail design and construction. Our teams have delivered projects across Australia and internationally, from major mountain bike destinations and competition venues to pump tracks, walking trails and recreational infrastructure.

Our work is driven by four values:

Create. Respect. Innovate. Connect.

We are passionate about building sustainable trails that connect people with nature, create communities and provide exceptional riding experiences.

The role

As a Trail Machine Operator, you’ll be responsible for operating excavators and other machinery to construct high-quality trails and associated infrastructure.

You’ll work alongside Trail Designers, Site Supervisors and Trail Crew to deliver projects safely, efficiently and to a high standard.

Your work may include:

• Operating mini excavators and other machinery in challenging terrain.
• Constructing trail alignments and features to design intent.
• Shaping technical features.
• Placing and managing materials accurately.
• Constructing drainage and sustainable trail infrastructure.
• Working closely with Trail Designers to achieve the intended line and finished product.
• Interpreting terrain and adapting construction techniques to site conditions.
• Supporting and mentoring less experienced trail crew.
• Maintaining machinery and equipment.
• Working safely and responsibly around other crew members and the public.
• Implementing project-specific environmental controls.
• Maintaining high standards of productivity, quality and finish.

What we’re looking for

Essential:

• Proven experience operating excavators or similar earthmoving machinery.
• Strong machine control and attention to detail.
• A genuine interest in mountain biking, cycling, outdoor recreation or trail construction.
• Ability to work outdoors in challenging terrain and weather conditions.
• Strong work ethic and reliability.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a construction team.
• Good communication and ability to take direction.
• Current driver’s licence.
• Willingness to travel and work away from home on project-based work.

Highly regarded:

• Previous mountain bike trail construction experience.
• Experience shaping trails or other recreational earthworks.
• Experience operating smaller excavators with precision.
• Civil construction, landscaping or earthworks experience.
• Experience working from designs or survey information.
• Experience with drainage construction.
• Experience leading or mentoring construction crew.
• Additional plant and machinery tickets.

The World Trail lifestyle

Our construction teams don’t spend their careers on the same job site.

World Trail projects take us across Australia, often into some of the country’s most spectacular environments.

Depending on project requirements, you could find yourself building trails in tropical North Queensland, the Victorian high country, Tasmania, regional NSW or other destinations around Australia.

Work hard. Build something you’re proud of. Travel between projects. Ride the trails you’ve helped create.

For the right person, this is an opportunity to develop a career in one of the most specialised areas of construction while working alongside some of Australia’s most experienced trail builders.

Show us what you can do

If you have video footage of yourself operating machinery, we’d love to see it.

Existing work footage, trail construction footage, project videos or a short phone video are all welcome.

We’re interested in seeing your:

• Machine control
• Precision
• Finishing ability
• Feature shaping
• General operating style

Professional footage isn’t required.

If you’ve built something you’re proud of, show us.

The right person

We’re looking for someone who doesn’t just move dirt.

You understand that the quality of the finished trail depends on the decisions made from the cab of the machine.

You take pride in the finish, care about the riding experience and want to become better at what you do.

If that sounds like you, we’d like to hear from you.

Apply now to join World Trail.