Heavy Equipment Operator; California

Heavy Equipment Operator

This position is responsible for performing various job tasks on hazardous and non-hazardous waste sites. Work performed on hazardous waste sites may include possible exposure to lead, PCBs, H2S, arsenic, and various other metals, chemicals, and conditions. Heavy equipment operation is a skilled trade that involves the operation of excavators and attachments such as shears, impact hammers, thumbs, etc., loaders, dozers, backhoes, dump trucks, articulating dump trucks, tractors, motor graders, scrapers, water trucks, etc.,

to excavate, grade, or move earth or to demolish structures. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to regular duties. Workdays >8 hrs/day, 5 to 6 days/week.

Full Time Pay: $27.00 - $32.00 per hour plus travel pay and per diem pay. Company benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, disability, sick pay per state law, 401k.

Candidates must be open to sustained project-based travel within the US. Project locations will vary depending on the assignment. Candidates can reside anywhere within the US.

• Excavate, move, or grade contaminated or non-contaminated earth.
• Excavate contaminated or non-contaminated sludge material.
• Demolition of various structures including, but not limited to buildings, above ground storage tanks, underground pipelines, etc.
• Mixing reagents with contaminated soil or hazardous waste.
• Read and understand construction specifications, construction plans, and operating procedures.
• Cutting and filling grades per plan specifications.
• Loading materials into trucks for removal from project site.
• Loading and unloading trucks for onsite transporting of materials.
• Haul material in trucks to on-site unloading area.
• Perform daily inspection and maintenance on assigned construction equipment.
• Move materials, lay pipe, backfill pipe.
• Loading and unloading equipment from trailers.
• Lifting and setting heavy loads.
• Assist with preparation and review of Job Safety Analyses, observations, and other reports.
• Promote the use of Stop Work Authority.
• Work independently as well as part of a team.
• Meet deadlines and contribute to a positive, safe, high‑quality culture in a fast‑paced environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Perform physical activities that may require moving one’s whole body, such as climbing, lifting, carrying, pulling, pushing, reaching, handling, balancing, walking, stooping, squatting, etc.
• Use both hands, arms, feet, and legs while standing, walking, climbing, sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, handling, fingering, and feeling.
• Control operations of equipment or systems, understand written sentences and paragraphs in work‑related documents, listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

• Sitting for long periods of time in machinery that moves, vibrates, jerks, or remains stationary.
• Using installed equipment ladder, steps, and handholds maintaining three points of contact to climb in and out of machinery.
• Repetitive motion from operating hand and foot controls of the equipment.
• Cleaning tracks and undercarriages with small tools after working in wet and sloppy conditions.
• Expected to lift objects weighing 1 to 25 lbs regularly and may be required to lift objects up to 50 lbs.
• Working in loud or noisy environments.

• Outside construction site.
• Rugged terrain; difficult navigation.
• Dusty and windy atmospheres.
• Confined spaces.
• Potential airborne exposures to dusts, mists, fumes, and vapors in concentrations not exceeding OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits.

Hard hat, ear protection (plugs or muffs), eye protection (safety glasses, goggles), safety vest, hand protection (gloves), steel toe boots, negative or positive pressure respirators may be required depending on site conditions.

• Knowledge: Must possess and demonstrate skills to safely operate heavy equipment and be knowledgeable of their uses and limitations.
• Experience: 3–5 years of experience operating heavy equipment, preferably in environmental remediation projects.
• Education: HS Diploma or equivalent.
• Machines, Tools, Equipment Used: Rubber‑tire or track heavy equipment such as backhoes, loaders, dozers, excavators; tractors, articulated dump trucks, motor graders, scrapers, pumps, dewatering systems, pugmills, batch plants, dredges, crushers, screens, etc.; hand tools and power tools.
• Licenses/Certifications: Completed necessary training required per OSHA HAZWOPER including an annual 8‑hour refresher.

• Quality fleet of heavy equipment.
• Good long‑term employment prospects.
• Ability to run dozers and excavators required.
• Will require frequent and extended travel to projects.
• Per diem/living allowance and trips home.
• 40‑hour HAZWOPER training preferred.
• Subject to a background check & physical/drug screen.
• Must be able to wear PPE when needed.