Heavy Equipment Operator

Heavy Equipment Operators are highly skilled individuals that operate and maintain various types of construction equipment; including but not limited to Motor Graders, Loaders, Backhoes, Track hoes, Articulated Trucks, Scrapers, Bulldozers, Rollers, Skid Steers, etc. Heavy Equipment Operator duties may include roadway excavation, mass excavation, import and placement of granular fills, foundation excavation and backfill, preparation for asphalt and concrete pavement, site preparation, and maintaining equipment.

Whitaker Construction, founded in 1953, has over 70 years of experience in the heavy civil and underground utility construction industry. Whitaker, an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) company, has become one of the largest contractors in the intermountain area with more than 600 employees and nearly 70 crews. We perform sanitary sewer, storm drain, culinary water, irrigation, earthwork, roadway construction, dams, landfills, natural gas pipelines, industrial piping, and telecommunication projects primarily in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado, and Oregon.

Roles and Responsibilities:


Including but not limited to the list below.

• Follow safety rules, regulations, guidelines, policies, and site-specific safety plans when performing all activities.
• Ability to proficiently operate three or more pieces of equipment such as Loader, Backhoe, Track Hoe, Articulated Truck, Scraper, Motor Grader, Bulldozer, Roller, Skid Steer, with or without GPS in a manner to prepare the jobsite to meet the required grades.
• Operate equipment safely and efficiently, while producing high quality work.
• Locate utilities and other buried lines or structures prior to digging.
• Inspect equipment and general work area prior to the start of any job.
• Perform routine inspection and preventative maintenance on assigned equipment and operate equipment without damaging it.
• Operate heavy construction equipment to load, move, level, and grade dirt, rocks, or other materials in a safe and proficient manner, meeting production goals.
• Understanding of sloping, banking, backfilling, and stockpiling.
• Understanding of soil types and how they affect the work being performed.
• Ensures a sound understanding of the issues involving ground disturbance.
• Knowledge of construction stakes and grades, and Blue Stakes laws and regulations.
• Maintain consistent communication among field crew members by use of hand signals or radio, to align and position heavy equipment properly.
• Maintain the flow of work under minimal supervision.
• Ensure equipment is safely and securely stored.
• Assist Construction Laborers with labor duties.
• Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned by supervisors.

Skills and Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED preferred. Any vocational training is strongly desired.
• Those with an education and/or work-related credential from a secondary or post-secondary educational system will be given preferred interview status (Precision Exams, NOCTE, etc.).
• A minimum of 3 years of heavy equipment operator experience with multiple types of equipment, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong knowledge regarding the operation, safety, and maintenance of equipment being used.
• Ability to safely operate equipment around utilities, field personnel, structures, property, etc.
• Ability to read and understand drawings, specifications, safety, and quality standards, and effectively utilizing all tools and equipment relevant to the work.
• Ability to detect unsafe or hazardous conditions of equipment and work environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation to get to and from work.

Physical Requirements:

• Able and willing to work long hours including day, night, weekend shifts as needed, and work outside of normal hours.
• Able to walk, lift, reach, stoop, stand, grasp, balance, climb, kneel, crouch, and lift up to 50 pounds frequently.
• Able to work in outside environments being subjected to weather changes, noise, vibrations, and job hazards.
• Good hand to eye coordination.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

Whitaker Construction offers an exceptional benefit package including:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Employees earn shares in the company - All employees have ownership in the company and its success
• Competitive wages
• Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Short Term Disability, Supplemental Insurance
• 401K with a company match
• Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Quarterly Incentive Program (Profit Sharing)
• Referral Bonuses
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The ADA defines "reasonable accommodation" as a change or adjustment to a job or work environment that allows a qualified individual with a disability to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of a particular job, and does not cause an undue hardship for the employer.


Whitaker Construction is an "equal opportunity employer." Whitaker will not discriminate and will take "affirmative action" measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex.

Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.