Excavation Operator

About Us

Discover your future at Forgen!

At Forgen, we are committed to building a strong team of amazing people. When you join our team, you open the door to unlimited growth potential and the support of professionals across the country who want to see you succeed. Today, we excel in complex geotechnical and environmental construction services that restore and strengthen our natural surroundings to protect people, communities, and the environment for generations to come. With employees supporting meaningful projects across the United States and Canada, our impact on future generations is only getting started. Whether you're looking to jumpstart your career in the environmental construction industry or a seasoned professional looking to fill one of our open management positions, we invite you to discover your future with Forgen.

Location: Various Projects as Assigned

Employment Type: Non-Exempt, Seasonal

Manager Position: No

Reports To: Construction Manager or Superintendent

Summary of Functions

Operate and maintain heavy, motorized equipment used in earth moving operations in a safe and efficient manner.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Embrace Forgen's Core Values in all aspects of the job.
• Participate in a drug-free workplace with a random drug testing program.
• Responsible for driving a safety culture which promotes Incident and Injury Free Performance.
• Operate heavy, motorized equipment used in earth moving operations, including, but not limited to, dozers, scrapers, loaders, excavators, compactors, etc. and other equipment to support a variety of operations.
• Excavation, grading and compaction of land surfaces using heavy, motorized construction equipment.
• Excavate soil and other material from job sites into trucks for transportation to appropriate location for stockpiling or disposal.
• Use hand-held mobile radio units to coordinate tasks and resources.
• Read and comply with safety plans, rules, maintenance instructions, training materials, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), warning tags, traffic signs and procedure manuals.
• Perform additional assignments and special projects as directed.

Experience/Education

• High school diploma/GED or equivalent.
• The following experience is required:
  
  • Operator 1: 10+ years of heavy equipment operation/maintenance experience.
  • Operator 2: 5+ years of heavy equipment operation/maintenance experience.
  • Operator 3: 2+ years of heavy equipment operation/maintenance experience.
• Valid Driver's License and ability to drive on behalf of company business.
• The following safety training is preferred, but not mandatory. Company will provide additional training, as necessary.
  • 40 Hour HAZWOPER training.
  • Competent Person Safety Training
  • 8-Hour Supervisory Training
  • 30-Hour OSHA Construction Safety Training
  • First Aid and CPR

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Preferred knowledge on the following topics:
  • Operational characteristics of a variety of heavy, power-driven equipment.
  • Maintenance requirements of heavy, power-driven equipment.
  • Methods and materials used in general construction and maintenance work.
  • Principles and techniques of field maintenance activities.
  • Traffic laws, ordinances, and rules involved in heavy equipment operation.
  • Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
• Ability to embrace a culture of safety.
• Experience working in an environment which demands outstanding safety performance a plus.
• Operate heavy power-driven equipment.
• Ability to perform a variety of skilled construction and maintenance tasks.
• Ability to perform a variety of manual tasks for extended periods in unfavorable weather conditions.
• Ability to understand field survey markers.
• Ability to work on slopes and uneven surfaces.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Work extended hours, including evenings and weekends as required.
• Highly motivated, with a demonstrated passion for excellence and taking initiative.
• Strong work ethic, willing to do what it takes to get the job done right the first time.
• Demonstrated commitment to ethics and integrity.
• Passion for safety, with the ability to help us ensure that nobody gets hurt.
• Team player with the ability to work independently to meet deadlines, goals and objectives.
• Strong organization, time management, and attention to detail.
• Excellent computer skills including knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office, Outlook, and Excel.
• Above average oral and written communication skills.
• Highly proactive and responsive to internal and external customers.
• Ability to work independently.
• Good problem-solving skills/decision-making skills.

Physical Demands

The following physical activities or abilities are commonly, but not always, associated with the performance of this position. The actual requirements of this position will vary.

• Lift, carry and push/pull at least 50 pounds without difficulty.
• Be able to stand or walk on a project site for extended durations.
• Climb in and out of equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with vendors, management, and other co-workers, both individually and in front of a group is important.
• Ability to prepare, inspect and review documents is a critical component of this role.
• Regular use of the telephone and email for communication is also essential.
• Sitting for extended period is common.
• Good manual dexterity for the use of common office equipment such as computers, calculator, copiers, and fax machines.
• Good reasoning ability and decision-making is important.
• Able to understand and utilize management reports, memos, and other documents to conduct business.

The following physical activities or abilities are commonly, but not always, associated with field project sites.

• Be able to stand or walk on a project site for extended durations.
• Climb in and out of equipment.
• When on project sites or if performing some types of work activity wear all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including, but not limited to, earplugs, protective eyewear, gloves, hard hat, steel toed work boots, and high visibility safety apparel.

Work Environment

The following environmental/atmospheric working conditions are commonly, but not always, associated with the performance of this position. The actual working conditions will vary.

• Job Site environment, including, but not limited to, machines, tools, heavy equipment, chemicals, solvents, dust, fumes, noise, toxic materials; waste and infectious materials; work in inclement weather conditions.
• Occasional exposure to extreme weather conditions.
• Maintain .