Heavy Equipment Operator

Job Title: Heavy Equipment Operator – Transportation & Airfield Projects

Job Description

This role operates a wide range of heavy construction equipment to support transportation lighting, airfield, and underground utility projects across Colorado. You will perform trenching and excavation for conduit installation, duct banks, and foundations, while also contributing to concrete work and general field operations in a fast-paced, production-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy construction equipment including skid steer, backhoe, trencher, mini-excavator, digger derrick, dozer, forklift, loader, front-end loader, motor grader, and track hoe on transportation lighting and infrastructure projects.

• Perform trenching and excavation for conduit installation and duct banks on airfield and street lighting projects, maintaining straight alignment and correct depth.

• Excavate foundations for light poles and signage, then backfill and compact trenches and excavations to project specifications.

• Consistently excavate typical holes (for example, approximately 3 feet by 5 feet by 3 feet deep) with clean, accurate results.

• Read and interpret grade stakes to determine precise excavation depths and slopes.

• Work safely around underground utilities, following utility locates and maintaining awareness of existing infrastructure.

• Pull and maneuver equipment trailers on public roads and jobsites in a safe and controlled manner.

• Support concrete placement and finishing as needed, including preparation, pouring, and basic finishing tasks.

• Assist crew members with general labor and field operations, with approximately 60% of time on equipment and 40% on ground labor.

• Work effectively in a fast-paced, production-focused environment with tight deadlines and changing site conditions.

• Follow all site-specific rules and requirements, including remaining on restricted-access project sites (such as airfields) for the duration of the workday.

• Collaborate closely with field leadership and teammates, wearing multiple hats and stepping into higher-skill tasks when needed.

• Maintain equipment in good working order, perform basic inspections, and report issues promptly.

Essential Skills

• At least 3 years of experience in heavy civil, excavation, or underground utilities equipment operation.

• Strong, verifiable mini-excavator operating skills, with the ability to consistently dig accurate holes and duct banks to specified dimensions and depths.

• Proficiency operating heavy equipment such as skid steer, backhoe, trencher, excavator, dozer, forklift, loader, front-end loader, motor grader, and track hoe.

• Ability to read and interpret grade stakes to determine proper excavation depth and alignment.

• Demonstrated experience working safely around underground utilities and utility locates.

• Capability to pull and maneuver trailers on public roads and job sites.

• Comfort working in a role that combines equipment operation (approximately 60%) and ground labor (approximately 40%).

• Experience with excavation, trenching, earthworks, grading, and underground utility construction.

• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and maintain productivity in a production-driven environment.

• Strong attention to detail, safety awareness, and reliability in meeting project deadlines.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Class A CDL preferred.

• Experience with transportation or airfield lighting projects preferred.

• Experience in street lighting or utility construction strongly preferred.

• Concrete finishing experience preferred.

• Experience on highway or bridge projects is a plus.

• Prior work on utilities installation projects is highly beneficial.

• Familiarity with GPS-guided equipment operation is an advantage.

• Comfort working in restricted-access environments such as airfields, including complying with airport badging requirements.

• Willingness to travel and follow project work throughout Colorado, including Northern Colorado and other regions.

Why Work Here?

You join a small, hands-on contractor with a strong track record of internal growth, where team members regularly advance from labor roles into equipment operation and leadership. The culture emphasizes camaraderie, mutual support, and shared pride in delivering impactful work on airports and transportation infrastructure. The organization values long-term team members, supports travel with paid hotels, meals, and drive time, and frequently recognizes higher-skill contributions by paying employees up when they operate equipment or perform specialized tasks.

Work Environment

Work takes place outdoors on construction sites across Colorado, including locations such as Montrose, Loveland, Greeley, La Junta, Holyoke, Monument, and Northern Colorado. Projects often involve airfields and transportation corridors, with restricted-access sites requiring employees to remain on-site for the full workday and obtain airport badging. The environment is field-driven, production-focused, and similar in pace, seasonality, and deadlines to paving and heavy civil companies. The team operates within a small, hands-on electrical and civil construction setting where everyone wears multiple hats and leadership actively participates in field work. Expect physically demanding work around heavy equipment, underground utilities, concrete, and earthworks, in a “small, dirty electrician” culture that values practical skills, adaptability, and safety.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Loveland, CO.

Pay and Benefits

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

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 Loveland,CO.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 4, 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.