What are the responsibilities and job description for the Heavy Equipment Operator - UIC Construction position at UIC Alaska?
Overview:
UIC Construction is seeking a Heavy Equipment Operator to safely and efficiently operate a variety of heavy machinery, including bulldozers, shovels, excavators, loaders, and forklifts. This role supports construction, excavation, and material handling operations while ensuring all work is performed in compliance with safety regulations and operational standards.
Responsibilities:
Essential functions will include:
- Operate various pieces of heavy equipment, including bulldozers, shovels, excavators, loaders, and forklifts.
- Perform equipment operation tasks as directed by the site superintendent.
- Follow all safety protocols and operational guidelines while operating equipment.
- Conduct basic equipment inspections and report maintenance or repair needs.
- Assist with construction, excavation, and material handling activities as required.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to maintain it.
- Operator’s proficiency with a variety of equipment, including but not limited to bulldozers, shovels, excavators, loaders, and forklifts.
- Skilled in operating basic construction equipment such as forklifts and loaders.
- Ability to perform work independently without direct supervision.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to perform duties and operate tools in strict compliance with OSHA regulations.
- Punctual and reliable work history.
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
- Working knowledge of commercial construction practices.
- 5 years of related experience in commercial construction.
- 3 years of prior work history as a heavy equipment operator.
Preferred Qualifications:
- CDL license.
Physical and Mental Demands:
- Good range of motion in body and limbs; ability to reach in all directions.
- Ability to handle and manipulate objects and materials.
- Coordination of eyes, hands, feet, and fingers to perform assigned tasks.
- Adequate visual and hearing skills to safely operate equipment and complete tasks.
- Ability to work at heights above 12 feet using ladders, scaffolding, or man lifts.
- Perform extensive physical activity, including heavy lifting, pushing, and pulling of objects over 50 pounds.
- Regular exposure to moving mechanical parts, fumes, airborne particles, outside weather conditions, and vibration.
- Tolerance for constant jarring of the body when operating equipment on uneven surfaces.
- Ability to sit in the operator’s seat of equipment and safely reach all controls, pedals, switches, levers, and buttons necessary for safe operation.
- Maintain adequate field of vision to monitor all instruments, gauges, warning lights, windows, and mirrors while operating equipment.
Working Conditions:
- Work in all types of weather conditions.
- Perform duties at various elevations.
- Job sites may contain light to heavy equipment, materials, communication equipment, and tools.
- Presence of people standing, walking, sitting, signaling, and talking in the work area.
- Occasional exposure to bells, alarms, and whistles.
- Possible exposure to extreme cold, high noise levels, constantly changing work environments, irregular or slippery surfaces, moving equipment, open excavations, temporary structures, and general construction hazards.