Wheel Loader Operator - Bush Clearing & Land Preparation
(TRSC Farm – Bura, Tana River County)
Role Summary
We are recruiting Wheel Loader Operators to manage high-capacity bulk loading during our intensive bush clearing programme. You will operate 18 – 22-tonne wheel loaders equipped with either general-purpose buckets or specialized root-rake bucket and grapple attachments to clear windrows, load brush and root material, and prepare land for cultivation. This is a physically demanding role that requires precision, safety awareness, and coordination with a multi-machine clearing team working across parallel fronts.
- Department:
- Agriculture
- Reports to:
- Agricultural & Land Development Engineer / Workshop Supervisor
- Commencement:
- November 2026
- Employment terms:
- Full-time - Term Contract
- Equipment:
- 18 – 22-tonne wheel loaders
Qualification, skills and Competencies
- Valid NTSA Class G2 licence for wheel loader operation.
- Minimum four (4) years’ practical experience operating wheel loaders in demanding field environments.
- Experience in bush clearing, land development, earthworks, quarrying, plantation development, or similar heavy-duty operations will be an added advantage.
- Demonstrated experience operating machines fitted with different attachments and using quick-coupler systems.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a coordinated plant and machinery operation involving excavators, dozers, graders, trucks, and other equipment.
- Good understanding of wheel loader operation, basic machine mechanics, hydraulic systems, drivetrain systems, tire management, and fuel management.
- Proficiency in the safe and effective use of general-purpose buckets, root-rake buckets, grapple attachments, brush rollers, and other approved wheel loader attachments; able to assess attachment wear or damage before it leads to major breakdowns.
- Ability to identify and communicate mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, tire, and attachment-related defects to the maintenance team.
- Practical understanding of soil conditions, traction, ground stability, loading angles, bucket positioning, and machine balance, and of optimal loading techniques for brush, roots, soil, stones, and mixed debris.
- Strong awareness of machine operating limits, blind spots, exclusion zones, and safe interaction with other plant and personnel.
- Good communication, teamwork, situational awareness, and ability to follow instructions and maintain accurate machine logs in a fast-paced field environment.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their applications via the careers portal, clearly quoting the Reference Code TRSC/HPTO/AGR/2026.
By applying, you agree to our Recruitment Terms & Privacy .
Principal Accountabilities
- Carry out pre-start checks; load and move material safely; check that attachments are securely locked; work within the machine’s limits; protect tyres and minimise soil loss.
- Operate wheel loaders efficiently to support the rapid clearing, collection, loading, and movement of cleared brush, roots, stones, and other debris across the estate.
- During the bush-clearing phase, operate wheel loaders fitted with brush roller attachments and general-purpose buckets to push over vegetation, windrow cleared material, and load debris into haul trucks or designated disposal areas.
- Support the estate’s primary bush-clearing bottleneck by ensuring continuous and efficient movement of cleared material and maintaining adequate turnaround for haulage operations.
- Operate wheel loaders fitted with root-rake buckets and grapple attachments during the clean-up phase to collect roots, woody debris, and residual vegetation while minimizing unnecessary soil loss.
- Coordinate closely with excavator and dozer operators to ensure effective separation, collection, and recovery of roots, brush, and other cleared materials.
- Select and change attachments appropriately, including general-purpose buckets, root-rake buckets, grapple attachments, and other approved implements using quick-coupler systems.
- Conduct comprehensive pre-shift inspections and report defects, abnormal machine behaviour, hydraulic leaks, tire damage, attachment wear, and other maintenance requirements promptly.
- Monitor fuel consumption and operate the machine in a manner that maximizes productivity while minimizing unnecessary fuel use, tire wear, and machine damage.
- Maintain safe operating practices when working on uneven, muddy, sloping, or otherwise challenging terrain.
- Maintain accurate daily machine operation records, including operating hours, areas worked, ground conditions, fuel consumption, attachments used, breakdowns, delays, and safety incidents.
- Coordinate with the Supervisor, excavator operators, dozer operators, truck drivers, and maintenance team to minimize downtime and maintain continuous clearing operations.
- Immediately report equipment breakdowns, unsafe ground conditions, operational delays, and other risks that may affect productivity or safety.
- Comply with all company HSE requirements, traffic management procedures, machine operating limits, and site-specific safety instructions.
- Perform any other duties related to wheel loader operations, bush clearing, land development, and estate preparation as assigned by the Supervisor.