Demo

Operator I

Thompson Excavation
Columbus, OH Full Time
POSTED ON 3/12/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/12/2026

Job Summary: The Operator III will operate machinery for construction, demolition, or excavation projects and other duties as assigned.

Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Follows Values, Vision and Mission
  • Works with a team
  • Operate equipment including excavators, dozers, rock trucks, skid steers, roller, and tractors with pan
  • Prepares construction sites for building, demolition, or excavation
  • Uses equipment to prepare building sites for construction
  • Ensures loads are secured properly
  • Grease and fuel equipment prior to beginning/end of shift
  • Cleans equipment and performs daily inspections
  • Performs routine maintenance and repairs
  • Attends and participates in morning huddle
  • Dig for mainline utility installation
  • Finish grading of building pads and roadway with GPS instruments or stakes, with topo shots
  • Helps keep crew on task and proper production
  • Sets Safety example by following safety guidelines at all times and complies with proper safety procedures and PPE
  • Performs other related duties as assigned/needed up to and including all laborer duties

Required Skills/Abilities:

  • Expert in all laborer duties
  • Expert Ability to work independently
  • Ability to listen, understand, and follow directions
  • Ability to effectively communicate and problem solve
  • Ability to remain flexible in job hours worked as specific assignments change
  • Ability to perform basic math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division)
  • Knowledge of utility installation and cut/fill operations
  • Mechanical Skills
  • Ability to read construction blueprints and calculate run, rise, percentage, GPS, as-builds, etc.
  • Ability to read cut sheets, grade stakes and GPS station
  • Proper instrument set up of GPS base with equipment, pipe laser, rotary laser, line/surface level, etc.
  • Proper rigging practices

Education and Experience:

  • 8 to 10 years of dirt/utility experience
  • Expert knowledge of heavy equipment operation and capabilities
  • Expert knowledge of construction
  • Valid driver’s license or State ID
  • CPR and First Aid (Thompson will train if necessary)
  • 10-hour OSHA certification (Thompson will train if necessary)

Physical Requirements:

  • Must have physical strength, balance, hand-eye coordination, and stamina necessary to complete jobs in various areas
  • Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds
  • Must be able to operate machinery for prolonged periods of time
  • Must be able to operate equipment in a variety of environments including but not limited to concrete, dirt, fumes, and loud noise levels
  • Must be able to work long hours and Saturdays when needed

Required Tools:

  • High Vis shirt or Vest
  • Utility knife
  • Clothes with no large holes or cut offs for varying weather conditions

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $22.00 - $35.00 per hour

Benefits:

 

  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Health insurance
  • Health savings account
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Referral program
  • Vision insurance

 

Schedule:

 

  • 8 hour shift
  • Day shift
  • Monday to Friday
  • Overtime

 

Supplemental pay types:

 

  • Bonus pay

 

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to commute/relocate:

 

  • Columbus, OH: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

 

Experience:

 

  • Heavy equipment operation: 2 years (Required)

 

Work Location: In person


Salary : $22 - $35

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Operator I?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Operator I career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$43,603 - $55,670
Income Estimation: 
$53,120 - $69,174
Income Estimation: 
$50,113 - $64,377
Income Estimation: 
$61,656 - $78,069
Income Estimation: 
$59,875 - $77,824
Income Estimation: 
$52,573 - $74,196
Income Estimation: 
$66,645 - $93,368
Income Estimation: 
$46,554 - $64,445
Income Estimation: 
$69,651 - $95,335
Income Estimation: 
$52,573 - $74,196
Income Estimation: 
$39,089 - $49,080
Income Estimation: 
$47,432 - $61,916
Income Estimation: 
$46,327 - $63,969
Income Estimation: 
$46,554 - $64,445

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs with skills like those required for the Operator I.

Click the checkbox next to the jobs that you are interested in.

  • Crew Dispatch Skill

    • Income Estimation: $41,054 - $63,884
    • Income Estimation: $106,582 - $128,279
  • Material Handling Skill

    • Income Estimation: $98,104 - $130,419
    • Income Estimation: $103,464 - $131,301
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Operator I jobs in the Columbus, OH area that may be a better fit.

  • ARMORSOURCE LLC Hebron, OH
  • Job Summary: We are seeking a detail-oriented and safety-conscious Production Operator to join our manufacturing team. This role plays a key part in ensuri... more
  • 1 Month Ago

  • Kokosing, Inc. Fredericktown, OH
  • The Olen Corporation and Area Aggregates, one of the largest construction aggregates producers in the Midwest, has been a leader in the industry for over 5... more
  • 10 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!