Heavy Equipment Operator

IMMEDIATELY HIRING HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS BASED IN LEXINGTON, NC

PAY $28-40 PER HOUR (DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS)

Looking for Heavy Equipment Operators to safely operate excavators, dozers, loaders, skid steers, and other earthmoving equipment to support environmental remediation, hazardous material cleanup, industrial demolition, spill response, and site restoration projects. This role focuses on contaminated sites, industrial facilities, manufacturing plants, landfills, and environmental cleanup projects that require the careful handling and removal of contaminated soils and materials. The position requires strong equipment operating skills, a solid understanding of jobsite safety requirements, and the ability to work effectively in challenging environmental conditions, including projects that utilize GPS machine control systems.

Responsibilities

• Operate excavators, dozers, loaders, skid steers, and other heavy equipment safely and efficiently in accordance with project and safety requirements.

• Perform excavation, grading, trenching, backfilling, and site restoration activities to meet project specifications and quality standards.

• Excavate, handle, and remove contaminated soil and hazardous materials following project plans and applicable regulations.

• Construct containment berms, access roads, and temporary remediation structures to support environmental cleanup activities.

• Assist with demolition and removal of contaminated structures, foundations, tanks, and industrial equipment as part of remediation and demolition projects.

• Load trucks with contaminated materials, debris, and waste for transportation and approved disposal facilities.

• Support environmental cleanup and remediation projects involving hazardous materials, petroleum releases, and industrial contamination.

• Work alongside environmental technicians and project managers during spill response activities and site stabilization efforts.

• Remove and transport contaminated soil, debris, sludge, and waste materials from project sites in a safe and compliant manner.

• Assist with landfill closures, brownfield redevelopment, and site restoration projects, ensuring proper grading and site preparation.

• Support emergency response projects that require rapid deployment of equipment and timely site stabilization.

• Operate GPS-guided equipment and machine control systems to achieve precise excavation and grading results.

• Utilize electronic grade control systems for excavation, grading, and earthmoving activities to maintain accurate elevations and slopes.

• Read and interpret site plans, grade stakes, remediation drawings, and project layouts to execute work correctly.

• Verify excavation depths, elevations, and grading tolerances to ensure work meets project requirements.

• Follow all health, safety, and environmental procedures when working on contaminated sites, industrial facilities, and landfills.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 5+ years of experience operating excavators and dozers on construction or remediation projects.

• Demonstrated ability to operate heavy equipment such as excavators, dozers, loaders, and skid steers safely and efficiently.

• Experience working on environmental remediation, industrial, heavy civil, or contaminated soil projects.

• Strong understanding of jobsite safety requirements and safe work practices on contaminated and industrial sites.

• Ability to read and interpret site plans, grade stakes, remediation drawings, and project layouts.

• Experience with excavation, grading, trenching, backfilling, and site restoration activities.

• Experience excavating and handling contaminated soil and hazardous materials.

• Familiarity with demolition activities involving structures, foundations, tanks, and industrial equipment.

• Capability to work effectively in challenging environmental conditions and on active industrial sites.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• GPS machine control experience preferred, including systems such as Trimble GPS, Topcon GPS, or similar technologies.

• Experience operating GPS-guided equipment and using electronic grade control systems.

• Environmental remediation or hazardous waste project experience.

• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 Certification.

• HAZWOPER 40-Hour Certification.

• Experience working on industrial or refinery projects.

• Experience with contaminated soil excavation and handling hazardous waste.

• CDL Class A License.

• Confined Space Training.

• Heavy civil construction experience.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Lexington, NC.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $28.00 - $40.00/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 Lexington,NC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 21, 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.