Equipment Operator

Job Title: Equipment Operator – Excavator

Location: Lake Adger, NC

Reports to: Superintendent

Compensation Range: $22 - $28/hr (depending on experience, skills, and qualifications)

Other Compensation: Per diem and lodging provided for eligible travel assignments

Benefits: Comprehensive package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and travel opportunities

About Ceres Environmental Operations

Ceres Environmental Operations (CEO) is a leader in crisis management, rapid response, and disaster recovery, committed to rebuilding stronger, safer communities. We specialize in emergency response, environmental services, planning, and consulting, including debris removal, blue roofs, logistics, debris management, demolition, recycling, forest management, and coastal and marine restoration. As a licensed general contractor, we offer unparalleled expertise to restore stability where it’s needed most.

Driven by Purpose, Powered by People

At CEO, we believe you’re more than just an employee; you’re part of a team with a purpose and a meaningful mission. Every team member plays a vital role in restoring hope, helping communities recover and rebuild.

We value initiative, respect diversity, and give our people the freedom to lead. We offer competitive pay, travel opportunities, and a culture built on resilience and teamwork. If you show up with compassion, share the commitment, react with urgency, and deliver solutions, you’ll fit right in. We don’t just respond to challenges; we rise to them.

What We Are Looking For

Ceres Environmental Operations is seeking experienced Excavator Operators to support our sediment removal operations in Lake Adger, NC and surrounding project areas. This role is responsible for safely and efficiently operating excavators in dynamic field environments.

The Excavator Operator will work closely with supervisors, ground crews, truck drivers, and project leadership to support operational goals and production targets while maintaining the highest safety standards. Success in this role includes operating equipment safely and productively, supporting project timelines, maintaining equipment awareness, and contributing to a strong team-oriented safety culture.

What You Will Do

• Safely operate excavators in support of forestry, vegetation management, debris removal, and land clearing operations.
• Operate equipment utilizing various attachments including grapples, thumbs, buckets, and forestry or mulching attachments.
• Perform loading, sorting, stacking, trenching, grading, and material handling activities.
• Conduct daily equipment inspections and basic preventative maintenance checks.
• Identify mechanical or safety concerns and communicate issues to supervisors and maintenance personnel.
• Maintain awareness of surrounding crews, equipment, utilities, and environmental hazards while operating equipment.
• Follow all company safety policies, site-specific safety plans, OSHA requirements, and operational procedures.
• Support storm restoration and emergency response mobilizations as required.
• Partner with field leadership and ground crews to support operational production goals and timelines.
• Complete required operational and safety documentation accurately and timely.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience operating excavators in forestry, construction, land clearing, utility, or heavy civil environments.
• Experience with 336 excavator and long reach excavator to load trucks.
• Ability to safely operate equipment in rough terrain, wooded environments, and adverse field conditions.
• Strong understanding of equipment safety procedures and daily inspection requirements.
• Ability to work extended hours, weekends, travel assignments, and storm response deployments as needed.
• Willingness to operate other equipment when needed.
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record.
• Ability to pass pre-employment drug screening and background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting forestry, fuel reduction, vegetation management, or disaster response operations.
• Experience operating excavators with grapple, forestry, or mulching/mastication attachments.
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification.
• CDL Class A or B license preferred but not required.

What to Expect

This is a field-based position supporting active operational projects in outdoor environments. Operators should expect to work long hours during peak operations, including weekends and storm response mobilizations when necessary. Daily work may involve rough terrain, changing weather conditions, and coordination with multiple crews and heavy equipment on active job sites.

The role requires strong situational awareness, adaptability, and a commitment to safe equipment operation in fast-paced operational environments. Travel may be required depending on project needs and operational demands.

Physical Requirements and Environment

Ceres provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to applicants with sincerely held religious beliefs, as required by law. The physical requirements listed below reflect the essential functions of this role. If you need accommodation to perform these functions, please inform us during the application process.

• Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Specific vision abilities to include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus where required to safely perform the job.
• Willing to wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) including but not limited to hard hat, protective eyewear, gloves, hearing protection, and steel-toed boots.
• Ability to work in adverse weather/field conditions, uneven terrain, elevated areas, extreme temperatures, dust, smoke, noise, vibration, and around moving mechanical equipment.
• Commitment to following safety standards and protocols.

Why Join CEO?

At CEO, you won’t just have a job, you’ll have a mission. Your work will directly impact the speed and strength of community recovery after disasters.

We offer:

• A collaborative, mission-driven culture.
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
• The chance to make a lasting difference for communities across the U.S.

Ceres Environmental Operations is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Ceres does not sponsor employment-based visas for this position unless stated otherwise.

E-Verify: We comply with Federal law by verifying employment eligibility.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: High School Diploma
• Experience: 3-5 years of experience operating heavy equipment
• Commercial Driver License: Class A or B
• Valid Driver License

Preferred Qualifications:

• Equipment repair or maintenance certifications/licensing
• Equipment Operating licenses
• Qualified Applicator License (QAL)
• Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC)

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge to operate and haul equipment in accordance with industry guidance and standards
• Knowledge and ability to repair, refurbish or fix heavy equipment
• Apply knowledge of new and emerging technologies and equipment to business operations
• Ability to receive direction or guidance
• Ability to work within a team
• Ability to communicate well with others
• Problem solving skills
• Recognition of safety hazards

Salary : $22 - $28