Demo

EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

Knife River - SD
Brandon, SD Full Time
POSTED ON 5/19/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/18/2026
Description

Good Pay! Good Benefits! Good People! Knife River is a PEOPLE-first company. Our team members are key to our success, and we are committed to giving them the tools, training, and time to do their jobs productively and go home safely each day. Please consider joining our growing team today!

At Knife River, we take care of our team because we know it's our people who make us successful. We are one of the 10 largest construction materials producers/contractors in the Country. Our goal is to build strong teams that, in turn, build strong communities. We are also a publicly traded company on the NYSE with the ticker symbol KNF and part of the S&P MidCap 400 index.

ROLE OVERVIEW:

This position is responsible to operate straight or articulated rubber-tired tractor type vehicles equipped with front mounted hydraulically powered bucket or scoop to lift and transport bulk materials to and from storage or processing areas to load trucks or feed conveyors, hoppers, or chutes.

The typical schedule is Monday - Friday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM during production season with Saturday as needed. Typical schedule during maintenance season is Monday - Thursday 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM. The schedule may vary due to weather and customer demand.

DUTIES AND/OR RESPONSIBILITIES (summary of components that make up the job)

  1. Starts engine, shifts gears, presses pedals, and turns steering wheel to operate.
  2. Moves levers to lower and tilt bucket and drives front end loader forward to force bucket into material piles.
  3. Moves levers to raise and tilt bucket when filled, drives vehicle to work site, and moves levers to dump material.
  4. Becomes familiar with digging plans, machine capabilities and limitations, and with efficient and safe digging procedures in a given application.
  5. Moves materials over short distances.
  6. Backfills excavations.
  7. Loads trucks and rail cars.
  8. Measures and weighs materials.
  9. Creates and maintains inclines and ramps, and handle slides, mud, and pit cleanings and maintenance.
  10. Inspects material moving equipment and performs routine maintenance such as: lubricating, adjusting and repairing machinery; replacing parts such as gears, bearings, and cutting edges; fueling, and; cleaning.
  11. Uses power or hand tools.
  12. Assists in plant maintenance as directed.
  13. Perform safety inspections in and around sand plant.
  14. Must be able to work overtime during busy season.
  15. Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (types and extent of knowledge, skills or abilities an incumbent must possess to complete the job responsibilities satisfactorily)

  1. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  2. Strong organizational skills.
  3. Physical fitness.
  4. Able to work independently and under time constraints.
  5. Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (minimum educational, experience, or other relevant job requirements)

  1. High school education and six months experience operating large scale equipment, or
  2. Equivalent combination of education and experience.
  3. Ensure OSHA, DOT, EPA, DNR, MSHA, Federal, State, and Local safety and environmental regulation compliance including attending training.

BENEFITS:

  1. Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
  2. Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts
  3. 401(k) with Company Match
  4. Profit Sharing
  5. Paid Time Off
  6. Paid Sick Time
  7. 8 Paid Holidays
  8. Company Paid Life and AD&D Insurance
  9. Short-term Disability
  10. Employee Assistance Program
  11. Years of Service Recognition
  12. Voluntary Life Insurance for Employees, Spouses, and Dependents
  13. Critical Illness Plan
  14. Accident Coverage Plan
  15. Hospital Indemnity

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Knife River is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status or any other protected category under applicable state/federal laws.

Subject to pre-employment drug testing and background checks.

All applications are submitted online. If you are having issues completing the application, please come to the office for assistance.

Qualifications

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Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.



Knife River, Ellis & Eastern & Rail to Road are Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status or any other protected category under applicable state/federal law.

 

Salary.com Estimation for EQUIPMENT OPERATOR in Brandon, SD
$51,739 to $67,104
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