Heavy Equipment Operator

About This Role

Experienced Heavy Equipment Operator needed for per diem assignments in Rayville, LA. You’ll run a variety of machines — excavators, dozers, loaders, scrapers, forklifts/telehandlers, cranes, skid steers, boom lifts, rollers and backhoes — on earthmoving and site-prep jobs. Pay range is $22–$40/hr depending on experience and equipment run. This is hands-on work: follow pre-task cards and work plans, keep a tidy site, perform routine maintenance and inspections, and report any malfunctions. We want operators who work safely, know their machines, and can move between equipment types as job needs dictate.

What You'll Do

• • Operate excavators, dozers, loaders, scrapers, boom lifts, skid-steers, backhoes, rollers, forklifts/telehandlers and track cranes per job plan
• • Follow pre-task cards, work plans and site safety procedures; wear required PPE and enforce safe work practices
• • Perform routine maintenance and start-of-shift inspections; grease fittings, check fluids, filters and basic systems
• • Detect, tag and report equipment malfunctions; coordinate with mechanics or foreman for repairs
• • Load/unload materials and equipment as directed; maintain clean, orderly housekeeping on site

What We're Looking For

• • Proven experience operating multiple types of heavy equipment (excavator, dozer, loader, grader, scraper, backhoe, roller)
• • Hands-on maintenance skills: hydraulic, diesel engine, fuel/emissions, transmission and general equipment troubleshooting
• • Experience operating cranes and forklifts/telehandlers or willing to run them on-site
• • Ability to read work plans, follow pre-task cards and enforce site safety procedures
• • Valid driver’s license required; must be available for per diem/travel assignments

Qualifications

• • Valid driver’s license (required)
• • 3+ years operating heavy construction equipment preferred
• • Forklift/telehandler certification (preferred)
• • NCCCO or other crane certification (preferred)
• • OSHA 10 (preferred) — able to read and follow safety documents and pre-task cards

What We Offer

• • Competitive pay $22–$40/hr based on equipment and experience
• • Per diem paid for travel assignments (position is per diem)
• • Overtime opportunities on extended jobs
• • Work cross-training on multiple machines — expand your skill set
• • Straightforward, hands-on assignments with clear safety standards

Not Another Job Board

Skillit connects craft workers directly with contractors hiring for your trade. No resumes, no chasing listings. Build your profile once and let jobs find you.

• Get discovered automatically: Contractors search for talent like you every day.
• No more chasing listings: Skillit surfaces your profile when a job matches your skills and certs.
• Sam does the legwork: Your craft hiring assistant works 24/7 to connect you with active hiring contractors.