Per diem
Heavy Equipment Operator
About this role
Join a field crew in Damascus, VA as a per diem Heavy Equipment Operator running dozers, excavators and loaders on road and right-of-way maintenance and repair. This role focuses on hands-on machine operation for grading, loading, hauling and trenching on a variety of surfaces. You’ll work on travel assignments and local projects installing culverts and utilities, performing routine equipment inspections and maintenance, and mentoring less-experienced operators. Expect physical, outdoor work and a safety-first jobsite culture.
What you'll do
- • Operate dozers, excavators, loaders and other heavy equipment for road and right-of-way maintenance and repair
- • Load, haul and dump materials; grade and smooth roads; spread rock and gravel
- • Trench and construct ditches for installation of culverts, water and sewer pipes; remove silt and debris
- • Inspect equipment daily — check fluid levels, lubrication points and report defects; perform basic on-site maintenance
- • Follow and help enforce inspection and test plans (ITPs) and safe work procedures; train and mentor crew members in safe equipment operation
What we're looking for
- • Proven experience operating dozers, excavators and loaders on road or right-of-way jobs
- • Hands-on experience with grading, loading/unloading material, trenching and pipe/culvert installation
- • Experience developing or enforcing inspection and test plans (ITPs) and leading crews or serving as equipment foreman
- • Mechanical aptitude for routine equipment inspections, fluid checks and basic troubleshooting
- • Able to work a per diem/travel schedule, handle physical outdoor work, and follow site safety rules (pile driver experience a plus)
Qualifications
- • Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
- • State or nationally recognized heavy equipment operator certification preferred
- • OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 preferred; traffic control/flagging card a plus
- • Ability to pass drug/alcohol screening and background check
- • English proficiency for safe communication on site
What we offer
- • Per diem for travel assignments
- • Travel and lodging assistance for out-of-town work
- • Paid site safety training and certification support
- • Personal protective equipment (PPE) provided or allowance available
- • Opportunity for overtime and steady work across road and right-of-way projects
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