Heavy Equipment Operator

Job Summary

BND Contracting is seeking an experienced Heavy Equipment Operator to safely operate and maintain a variety of heavy machinery used in construction, demolition, site preparation, and industrial projects. The ideal candidate will have experience operating equipment such as excavators, bulldozers, loaders, and graders while supporting field operations through labor tasks as needed. This position requires a strong commitment to safety, equipment care, and teamwork in demanding outdoor work environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Safely operate heavy equipment including excavators, bulldozers, loaders, graders, and other construction machinery.
• Perform site preparation, excavation, grading, trenching, backfilling, demolition, and material handling activities.
• Conduct pre-trip and post-trip equipment inspections and complete required documentation.
• Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs on equipment.
• Follow all company, client, and OSHA safety regulations and procedures.
• Identify and report equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, and maintenance needs.
• Assist with general labor duties when equipment operation is not required.
• Load and unload materials and equipment as needed.
• Work effectively with supervisors, operators, laborers, and other crew members to complete projects on schedule.
• Maintain clean and organized equipment and work areas.
• Attend safety meetings, training sessions, and toolbox talks.

Must-Have Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience operating medium to heavy construction equipment.
• Proven experience operating excavators, bulldozers, loaders, graders, or similar heavy equipment.
• Ability to read and understand safety procedures, equipment manuals, and jobsite instructions.
• Knowledge of daily equipment inspections and preventative maintenance practices.
• Strong understanding of construction site safety requirements.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work in outdoor environments.
• Reliable transportation and dependable attendance.
• Ability to lift and/or move 50 pounds regularly.

Preferred Qualifications

• Basic Orientation Plus (BOP) certification.
• TWIC Card (Transportation Worker Identification Credential).
• Experience working in industrial, refinery, marine, or heavy civil construction environments.
• Experience with GPS machine control systems.
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification.
• CDL license (preferred but not required).

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to talk and hear.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, and climb throughout the workday.
• Frequently lift and/or move objects weighing more than 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in varying weather conditions and outdoor environments.
• Must have close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, vibration, fumes, airborne particles, and loud noise levels.
• Occasionally exposed to extreme construction site conditions.

Work Environment

This position is primarily performed outdoors on active construction and industrial job sites. Employees must be comfortable working around heavy machinery, changing weather conditions, uneven terrain, and potentially loud environments while maintaining a strong focus on safety.

AI Screening Questions

1. How many years of experience do you have operating heavy equipment, and which types of equipment are you most proficient with (excavators, bulldozers, loaders, graders, etc.)?
2. Describe a project where you operated heavy equipment in a construction, industrial, or demolition setting. What equipment did you use and what was your role?
3. What steps do you take during a daily equipment inspection before beginning work?
4. Do you currently possess a TWIC Card and/or Basic Orientation Plus (BOP) certification? If not, are you willing to obtain them if required?
5. Tell us about a time you identified a safety hazard or equipment issue on a jobsite. What actions did you take and what was the outcome?
6. This position requires performing labor duties, lifting over 50 pounds, and working outdoors in various weather conditions. Are you able to meet these physical requirements and support general labor tasks when needed?