Heavy Equipment Operator

Heavy Equipment Operator

Job Description

This role focuses on operating excavators (track hoes) and dozers on large-scale ash basin closure projects, supporting high-production earthmoving, excavation, grading, and material handling activities. You will transition between multiple pieces of heavy equipment as project needs evolve, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with project specifications and environmental requirements.

Responsibilities

• Operate excavators (track hoes) and dozers to safely excavate, grade, move, and manage coal ash, soil, rock, and other materials across large project sites.

• Load off-road haul trucks with coal ash and other materials for transport and disposal throughout the project area.

• Perform both rough and fine grading to support ash basin closure, environmental remediation, and site restoration activities.

• Construct, shape, and maintain haul roads, drainage features, slopes, and work areas using dozers and excavators.

• Collaborate closely with haul truck operators, roller operators, and site supervision to maintain production targets and efficient material movement.

• Read and interpret grade stakes and site plans to ensure work meets project specifications and required elevations.

• Conduct high-volume excavation, loading, grading, and mass earthmoving in a fast-paced, production-driven construction environment.

• Utilize GPS grade control systems, when available, to achieve precise grades and elevations.

• Perform thorough daily equipment inspections and promptly report maintenance concerns to site supervision.

• Monitor surroundings and maintain awareness of nearby equipment, personnel, and active haul routes while operating in congested work areas.

• Adhere to all site safety, environmental, and operational requirements to minimize downtime and maximize productivity.

• Support ash basin closure operations at active power plants by consistently operating excavators and dozers to manage coal ash and related materials.

• Work safely around multiple pieces of heavy equipment and active haul routes in heavy production settings.

• Apply best practices for excavation in wet or unstable ground conditions to maintain safety and equipment stability.

• Follow preventative maintenance procedures and contribute to the overall reliability of the equipment fleet.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience operating excavators (track hoes) and dozers in heavy production environments.

• Demonstrated ability to work safely around active haul routes and multiple pieces of heavy equipment.

• Hands-on experience with high-production earthmoving on ash pond closures, environmental remediation projects, landfills, mining operations, dredging projects, heavy civil construction, or similar large-scale earthmoving operations.

• Proficiency in truck loading, grading, slope work, and mass excavation.

• Strong skills in earthworks, including rough and fine grading and precision excavation.

• Ability to read grade stakes and follow site plans to meet project specifications.

• Experience with grade control systems and GPS-guided excavation for accurate elevations.

• Knowledge of safe operation practices in wet or unstable ground conditions.

• Capability to perform daily equipment inspections and support preventative maintenance.

• Comfort working in production-driven work environments with high volumes of dirt moving and material handling.

• Commitment to strict safety, quality, and environmental compliance standards.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in ash basin closure projects and coal ash handling and material movement.

• Experience in landfill, mining, or dredging operations.

• Exposure to heavy civil construction and large-scale earthworks.

• Familiarity with long reach excavators and track hoes in complex site conditions.

• Ability to coordinate effectively with diverse site crews and supervision in fast-paced construction settings.

• Strong situational awareness and communication skills when operating around other heavy equipment and personnel.

Why Work Here?

You join a team that offers substantial overtime opportunities, with typical weeks ranging from 60 to 70 hours, enabling strong earning potential. The work provides long-term project continuity, supporting job stability and ongoing professional growth in specialized ash basin closure and environmental remediation operations. You benefit from the security of working on mandated coal ash cleanup projects, contributing to important environmental initiatives while building a sustainable career in heavy production earthmoving.

Work Environment

This role is based on ash basin closure projects at active power plants, where you perform high-production excavation, grading, and earthmoving activities in a dynamic outdoor construction environment. You primarily operate excavators (track hoes) and dozers to excavate, move, grade, and manage coal ash, soil, and other materials across large project sites. Daily work includes loading off-road haul trucks, executing rough and finish grading, constructing and maintaining haul roads, and supporting basin closure operations. The environment is fast-paced and production-driven, with multiple pieces of heavy equipment operating simultaneously and active haul routes throughout the site. You work under strict safety, quality, and environmental compliance standards, often in varied ground conditions, including wet or unstable areas. Standard construction attire and appropriate personal protective equipment are required to ensure safe and compliant operations.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Belmont, NC.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $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 Belmont,NC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 29, 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.