Grading Foreman

Job Summary:

The Grading Foreman leads and coordinates field operations for commercial, industrial, and heavy civil site-development projects. This working supervisory role directs crews performing mass excavation, grading, site preparation, earthwork, utility installation, drainage, and related civil construction activities; coordinates daily work with project management, general contractors, subcontractors, inspectors, survey personnel, and other project partners; and is responsible for completing assigned work safely, efficiently, and in accordance with plans, specifications, schedules, and quality requirements.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Leads, directs, and coordinates equipment operators, laborers, and other assigned field personnel engaged in grading, excavation, utility, and site-development work.
• Communicates daily work plans, production expectations, safety requirements, and task assignments; monitors performance and adjusts crew assignments as field conditions change.
• Provides hands-on instruction, coaching, and on-the-job training to support safe work practices, quality workmanship, and development of crew members.
• Coordinates manpower, equipment, materials, and subcontractor activities with project supervision to maintain workflow and meet project milestones.
• Addresses routine field issues promptly and elevates safety, quality, personnel, schedule, or production concerns to the appropriate project leader.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Plans, supervises, and participates in daily grading and site-development operations, including stripping, excavation, cut/fill operations, embankment, subgrade preparation, fine grading, stabilization, backfill, and compaction.
• Directs and coordinates installation of storm drainage, sanitary sewer, waterline, duct banks, structures, and other underground utilities within the scope of assigned work, including excavation, bedding, placement, backfill, and restoration.
• Reads and interprets civil drawings, grading plans, utility plans, profiles, details, specifications, benchmarks, elevations, and field layout information to sequence and execute the work.
• Works closely with project managers, superintendents, project engineers, survey crews, general contractors, subcontractors, owners, inspectors, and other stakeholders to coordinate access, sequencing, inspections, tie-ins, deliveries, and changing site conditions.
• Verifies that slopes, grades, elevations, contours, trench depths, utility alignments, and compaction requirements are achieved in accordance with project documents and field controls.
• Coordinates the safe and efficient use of excavators, dozers, motor graders, loaders, compactors, skid steers, haul trucks, and other heavy equipment; may operate equipment when qualified and operationally necessary.
• Reviews planned work areas for existing utilities, overhead hazards, traffic, excavation hazards, access limitations, ground conditions, and other site-specific risks before work begins.
• Conducts or supports pre-task planning, toolbox talks, daily safety discussions, and job hazard reviews; reinforces required PPE, excavation/trenching practices, equipment awareness, spotter procedures, and company/project safety requirements.
• Monitors equipment condition and coordinates inspections, fueling, maintenance, and repairs; removes or reports unsafe or damaged equipment in accordance with company procedures.
• Monitors daily production, labor, equipment utilization, materials, and work progress; communicates delays, differing site conditions, rework risks, or cost/schedule impacts to project supervision in a timely manner.
• Coordinates material deliveries, trucking, spoil/export, borrow, aggregate, pipe, structures, and other field resources to minimize downtime and maintain production.
• Maintains required field documentation, which may include daily reports, time and equipment records, delivery tickets, quantity tracking, inspection records, safety documentation, and other project records.
• Maintains an orderly work area and supports housekeeping, erosion-control, environmental, and traffic-control requirements applicable to the project.
• Performs hands-on field work and assists other crew members or craft classifications as project needs require, consistent with training, qualifications, and applicable safety requirements.

Required Skills & Abilities:

• Strong working knowledge of heavy civil earthwork, excavation, grading, site preparation, utility installation, drainage, compaction, and sequencing of site-development activities.
• Ability to lead a field crew, assign work, communicate expectations, manage changing priorities, and maintain accountability for safety, quality, and production.
• Ability to read and interpret civil construction plans, profiles, specifications, grades, elevations, and field layout information.
• Working knowledge of heavy equipment capabilities, safe operating practices, production considerations, and common maintenance concerns.
• Ability to identify field conflicts and constructability concerns and work collaboratively with project supervision, survey, inspectors, subcontractors, and other stakeholders to resolve issues.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, organization, and decision-making skills in an active construction environment.
• Ability to maintain accurate field records and communicate work progress, resource needs, and issues affecting schedule or cost.
• Ability to recognize hazards and consistently enforce company, project, and regulatory safety requirements.

Education & Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred; an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant construction experience will be considered.
• Substantial experience in heavy civil grading, excavation, site preparation, or underground utility construction required; prior field leadership or foreman experience strongly preferred.
• Experience on commercial, industrial, or large civil site-development projects preferred.
• Experience operating or working around excavators, dozers, motor graders, loaders, compactors, and related heavy equipment preferred.
• Must complete company- and project-required safety training and maintain any licenses, certifications, or credentials required for assigned work.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in outdoor and physically demanding environments.
• Stamina to work long hours and travel to various project sites.
• Adequate physical fitness to navigate and inspect grading sites.
• Hearing and vision abilities to monitor and oversee operations safely.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed primarily outdoors on active commercial, industrial, and heavy civil construction sites in varying weather and temperature conditions.
• Regular exposure may include heavy equipment, moving vehicles, excavation and trenching operations, underground and overhead utilities, noise, vibration, dust, mud, standing water, uneven terrain, construction materials, and other typical jobsite hazards.
• Work may occur adjacent to public roadways, active facilities, other contractors, restricted-access areas, or changing site conditions requiring continuous situational awareness and coordination.
• Work schedules may include early mornings, nights, weekends, overtime, and travel to project locations as required by project schedules and operational needs.
• Required personal protective equipment must be worn and all company, project, and regulatory safety procedures must be followed.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Jones Bros. Contractors, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, training, and termination.