Summary

Under general supervision, operates heavy construction equipment including but not limited to, motor graders, track loaders, dozers, excavators, scrapers, rollers, and skid loaders on various construction projects in a safe and efficient manner.  Performs skilled work including, but not limited to clearing and grubbing, site grading, trenching, loading off road and over road trucks, fine grading, and stone placement on various construction projects. This is a Safety Sensitive job position.

Reporting Relationships

The Heavy Equipment Operator reports directly to the Site Superintendent/Foreman.

Job Duties and Tasks for Heavy Equipment Operator:

  • Operate heavy, motorized equipment used in moving earth, rock, and sand, making cuts and fills to grade. Operations include but are not limited to, hydraulic excavators, rubber-tired backhoes, graders, wheel loaders, scrapers, tracks loaders, dozers, ski loaders, rollers, and off-road trucks.
  • Observe hand signals, grade stakes, and other markings when operating equipment.
  • Receives written or oral instructions to move or excavate materials.
  • Measures and verifies levels of rock or gravel, base, and other excavated material.
  • Build level and excavate land surfaces using various types of heavy construction equipment.
  • Must work quickly, productively, and safely without error and consistently meet the production goals as set by the Superintendent/Foreman and/or Project Manager.
  • Must consistently produce quality workmanship as judged by company standards as well as those set forth by Owner Inspection.
  • Must be able to grade, from field stakeout, with any piece of equipment operated to within +/- .10 of a foot. Have the ability to excavate a trench using grade/alignment systems to within +/- .25 of a foot.
  • Must be familiar with OSHA Safe Trenching Regulations and be able to recognize and correct any unsafe condition.
  • Be proficient in the use of GPS.

Job Activities for Heavy Equipment Operator:

  • Operating Equipment or Mechanized Devices: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as, but not limited to, motor graders, track loaders, dozers, excavators, scrapers, rollers, skid loaders.
  • Controlling Heavy Equipment and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate heavy equipment or processes (not including computers).
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up to date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Skills needed for Heavy Equipment Operator:

  • Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment.
  • Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure equipment is operating properly.

Abilities Needed for Heavy Equipment Operator:

  • Oral Comprehension: The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Written Comprehension: The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Control Precision: The ability to adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle quickly and repeatedly to exact positions.
  • Multilimbed Coordination: The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one arm and one leg) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Manual Dexterity: The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate or assemble objects.
  • Arm Hand Steadiness: The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Reaction Time: Maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties.
  • Near Vision: The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Far Vision: The ability to see details at a distance.

Knowledge, Experience, Education Required for Heavy Equipment Operator:

  • Mechanical: Knowledge of equipment and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Knowledge: Operational characteristics of a variety of heavy, power-driven equipment, traffic laws, ordinances, and rules involved in heavy equipment operation.
  • Attention to Detail: Job requires concentration, alertness, and attention to detail.
  • Dependability: Job requires reliable, responsible, and dependable.
  • Adaptability/Flexibility: Job requires being open to change and understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision making.
  • Initiative: Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Work Environment:

Work is performed primarily outdoors with exposure to all types of weather and temperatures. Employees will be in contact with chemicals, and materials (i.e., dust and particles) normally found at construction sites. Employees will also be exposed to high levels of noise and vibration. Employees may also be working in confined spaces.

  • Endures harsh weather conditions like wind, rain, extreme heat, and cold because much of the work is done out of doors.
  • Sustains injuries such as cuts, scrapes and bruises due to minor accidents.
  • Work with potentially dangerous equipment and tools
  • Spends long hours working when weather is good because may not be able to work in inclement weather.
  • Wears protective equipment for ears, head and eyes due to working in an environment with extremely loud noise and flying debris.

Physical:

Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities such as: heavy lifting and climbing, operating motorized equipment and vehicles, work in confined spaces, work at heights, work around heavy construction equipment.

Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED, and three (3) years’ experience operating heavy construction equipment.
  • Vocational or trade school degree for a specialized area of construction.
  • Valid State of Pennsylvania Driver’s License

Additional Information:

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee filling this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by management. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this job description. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.