Heavy Equipment Operator

Job Title: Heavy Equipment Operator

Job Description

This role involves operating heavy equipment on construction sites to support earthwork, grading, and site development activities. You will work as part of a grade crew, operating bulldozers, excavators, motor graders, and front-end loaders, while also assisting with tasks outside the cab as needed to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality project execution.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy machinery, including bulldozers, excavators, motor graders, and front-end loaders, to move earth, debris, and construction materials.

• Perform excavation and grading by digging, leveling, and shaping land to meet project specifications for both rough and fine grades.

• Prepare construction sites by clearing land, removing obstacles, and establishing proper groundwork for site and civil projects.

• Handle materials by loading, transporting, and distributing dirt, gravel, rock, and other aggregates safely and efficiently.

• Work closely with grade crews to support site development, earthworks, and utility-related activities as required.

• Utilize grading techniques and, when applicable, GPS systems to achieve accurate slopes, elevations, and contours.

• Conduct daily equipment inspections, perform minor repairs, and complete routine maintenance to keep machinery in safe, reliable working condition.

• Follow all safety procedures and maintain a safety-first mindset while operating equipment and performing tasks outside the cab.

• Assist with tasks outside the equipment cab as needed, including ground support, site cleanup, and general construction labor.

• Adapt to changing site conditions, weather, and project needs while maintaining productivity and quality standards.

• Travel to and work at various job sites within the designated metro area as assigned.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 2 years of heavy equipment operation experience.

• 23+ years of experience operating excavators and dozers, with strong dozer experience being especially important.

• Proven ability to perform rough and fine grading using heavy equipment.

• Hands-on experience operating bulldozers, excavators, motor graders, and front-end loaders on construction sites.

• Experience working with grade crews on construction or utility projects.

• Demonstrated heavy equipment operation skills in both rough grade and fine grading applications.

• Comfort working both inside and outside the equipment cab as job duties require.

• Commitment to a safety-first mindset on active construction sites.

• Ability to work full-time hours with flexibility for extended days and occasional weekends.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in utility crews is a plus.

• Familiarity with GPS-based grading systems is a plus.

• Exposure to site development, earthworks, and construction environments.

• Ability to adapt to multiple job sites and varying project conditions.

• Strong teamwork and communication skills to collaborate effectively with grade crews and supervisors.

Why Work Here?

The company offers a stable and long-standing work environment, backed by decades of industry presence and a strong focus on employee retention. Team members benefit from a family-oriented culture that emphasizes safety, respect, and long-term growth. Employees enjoy comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with a competitive 401(k) program featuring a 10% match and full vesting after five years of service. Paid time off begins accruing from the first day of permanent employment, and the organization observes seven paid holidays each year. This combination of benefits, culture, and stability creates an environment where employees can build lasting careers and feel valued for their contributions.

Work Environment

This position is based on active construction sites within the Richmond metro area, with job locations up to approximately 45 minutes from Chester, VA. Typical work hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., averaging 4050 hours per week, with flexibility required to work some weekends depending on project demands and weather conditions. The role is primarily outdoors and subject to varying weather and site conditions, including dirt, dust, uneven terrain, and active heavy equipment traffic. You will regularly operate large construction machinery and may be required to perform physical tasks outside the cab. Work is conducted across multiple job sites, so reliable transportation and flexibility to move between locations are important. Appropriate construction attire and personal protective equipment are required to ensure safety on all sites.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chester, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $24.00 - $28.00/hr.

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.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Chester,VA.

Application Deadline

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

About Aerotek

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.