Grading Foreman

Job Description

Job Description

Grading Foreman

San Diego, CA

$130,000 - $150,000

Job Description

The Grading Foreman oversees earthwork, grading, and site-development operations for residential, commercial, and industrial projects in the San Diego area. This is a career-level field leadership role focused on managing production, equipment utilization, grade checking, GPS technology, construction sequencing, field reporting, and crew development. The position supports ongoing expansion and requires a professional leader who can manage multiple priorities, communicate clearly, solve field problems, and mentor a grading crew of approximately 8 to 12 employees.

Responsibilities

• Plan the following days field activities in advance to ensure smooth and efficient operations.
• Lead daily safety meetings and consistently reinforce jobsite safety expectations with the crew.
• Ensure all equipment is started, warmed up, inspected, and ready for use before production begins.
• Establish clear daily production goals and communicate expectations to equipment operators and field personnel.
• Assign employees and equipment to appropriate work areas based on project needs and skill sets.
• Direct and supervise a grading crew of approximately 8 to 12 employees throughout each shift.
• Coordinate grading operations so that crews, equipment, and project activities work together efficiently.
• Determine the appropriate equipment for each grading or earthwork activity to optimize productivity and quality.
• Monitor equipment utilization and production rates and adjust operations to maintain efficiency.
• Perform or oversee grade checking activities to ensure work meets design requirements and tolerances.
• Use GPS and machine-control technology to support and enhance grading operations.
• Read and interpret civil plans, project specifications, and soils reports to guide field activities.
• Manage the proper sequence of construction activities to maintain schedule and workflow.
• Monitor project progress throughout the shift and identify any deviations from plan.
• Perform regular production checks and make necessary field adjustments to keep work on track.
• Identify issues affecting safety, quality, schedule, or production and address them promptly.
• Review problems around midday and implement corrective actions during the afternoon to improve performance.
• Ensure field problems are resolved quickly so they do not continue to impact production.
• Maintain accurate and timely daily production reports for labor, equipment, quantities, progress, and jobsite conditions.
• Use Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office programs to complete reports and communicate field information.
• Track labor, equipment usage, material quantities, project progress, and jobsite conditions on a daily basis.
• Communicate effectively with project managers, equipment operators, laborers, and company leadership.
• Mentor employees and help improve their technical skills, accountability, and overall field performance.
• Support project goals so that grading and earthwork operations meet production and profitability expectations.

Essential Skills

• At least five years of grading, earthwork, or heavy civil construction experience.
• Previous foreman or field leadership experience overseeing grading or earthwork crews.
• Experience working for a larger-scale grading, earthwork, or site-development contractor on sizable projects valued in the millions of dollars.
• Experience managing grading operations in active, complex, or urban environments.
• Experience supervising approximately 8 to 12 field employees on site.
• Strong knowledge of mass grading, fine grading, excavation, and site-development operations.
• Strong grade checking skills and ability to verify elevations and tolerances in the field.
• Familiarity with GPS grading systems, machine control, or related field technology.
• Understanding of grading equipment types and their proper application for different earthwork activities.
• Ability to evaluate operator performance, crew productivity, and equipment production rates.
• Ability to read and interpret civil plans, project specifications, and soils reports.
• Solid understanding of construction sequencing and how grading integrates with other site activities.
• Familiarity with grading tools and standard earthwork practices used on commercial and site-development projects.
• Strong field problem-solving abilities with a practical, solutions-oriented approach.
• Ability to multitask effectively in an active construction environment with changing priorities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for interacting with field and office personnel.
• Better-than-average computer skills, including experience using Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to complete accurate electronic daily reports documenting labor, equipment, quantities, and site conditions.
• Professional and career-minded approach to field leadership, with a focus on long-term growth and performance.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in construction, grading, earthwork, and heavy equipment operations.
• Blueprint reading and interpreting detailed construction documents.
• Demonstrated ability to lead crews and coordinate multiple work activities simultaneously.
• Comfort working with GPS and machine-control systems as part of modern grading operations.
• Strong organizational skills for planning daily work, tracking production, and maintaining documentation.
• Ability to coach and mentor crew members to improve skills and accountability.
• High level of attention to safety, quality, and schedule in all field activities.

Why Work Here?

This opportunity offers the chance to join a growing organization with enough ongoing work to support a stable, career-level field role. You will work in an environment that values professional development, mentorship, and strong communication, with a focus on safety, quality, and efficient production. The culture encourages a career-minded approach to leadership, giving you the opportunity to shape crews, influence project outcomes, and grow your skills with modern grading technologies and complex site-development projects.

Work Environment

The role is based on commercial grading and site-development projects in the San Diego area, including residential, commercial, and industrial sites. Work takes place in active construction environments that may be complex or urban, requiring careful coordination of crews, equipment, and other project activities. The foreman spends most of the time on outdoor job sites overseeing earthwork and grading operations, using heavy equipment, GPS and machine-control technology, and standard grading tools. The environment is fast-paced, production-focused, and safety-conscious, with regular use of computers and Microsoft Office for reporting and communication

This is a Permanent position based out of San Diego, CA.

The pay range for this position is $130000.00 - $150000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Medical, dental, vision, company truck/gas card

This is a Permanent position based out of San Diego, CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 23, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in San Diego,CA.

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.