Lead Excavator Operator

Build Big Work With Modern Equipment, Real Trust, Responsibility, and a Path Beyond the Seat About Sunset Valley Construction We’re a sitework and underground utilities contractor focused on building and maintaining essential infrastructure. In order continue to grow our positive influence on society around us, our team is projected to double in size over the next 4 years, providing career growth opportunities and a team that builds projects while building up people. How You’ll Contribute We’re growing, increasing capacity, and adding more heavy equipment and civil expertise to the field. You'll support field operations through the safe, efficient, and high‑quality installation of utility systems, bulk earthmoving, grading, and site development projects ranging from $200K to $10M+. This role is critical to overall project success, helping crews maintain productivity, quality, organization, and momentum. What You’ll Get To Do Keep field production moving by leading crew operations through the seat of an excavator safely and efficiently. Support accurate utility installation, bulk earthmoving, grading, and site development by reading plans, elevations, grades, soil conditions, and site conditions before and during the work. Protect schedule, quality, and cost by thinking ahead, managing workflow, and understanding the overall objectives. Keep grading and layout work accurate with modern equipment and Topcon GPS. Keep the operation organized by helping the crew stay aligned as the work moves. Support long‑term crew growth by helping teach less experienced team members when your experience can help them move the work forward. Grow your own career by learning from others and following a clear advancement path. Who You Are You have experience operating mainline excavators for commercial excavation or site work and utilities. You know where to dig, where to put your spoils, and your next moved is already planned. You combine production capability with critical thinking, so the crew can move efficiently without compromising quality, layout, or the next phase of the job. You understand grading, trenching, utility installation, blueprints, elevations, soil conditions, and site conditions well enough to help crews avoid rework and keep jobs moving in the right direction. You think ahead as the work changes, so crew members don’t lose time waiting on the next move. You like production-focused work where good decisions in the seat show up in the pace, product, and progress. You communicate clearly and help less experienced team members see what matters in the field, because you know small misses can turn into lost time, rework, and frustration. You’re looking for a long‑term path where performance, ownership, leadership, and results lead to advancement. You have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and authorization to work in the United States. Even Better, But Not Required Experience with Topcon GPS systems P6 or P7 licensed Ability to perform layout CDL license OSHA certifications Experience leading or mentoring crews Strong understanding of production management Typical Schedule Typical hours are 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Work is consistent year‑round, weather‑dependent, with about 5 hours of overtime per week. Projects range from 4 weeks to 2 years. Travel is minimal and focused around the greater Hartford area. We do not plow snow in the winter, and paving/concrete work is minimal. What’s In It For You $50 to $55 per hour Training and mentorship without micromanagement Advanced equipment and technology Advancement opportunities tied directly to performance and production Career path: Operator → Foreman → Superintendent → Leadership Health & Financial Health, Dental, and Vision insurance after 3 months 100% employer coverage 401K with 3% company match after 3 months Professional personal financial advice Perks & Lifestyle Newer equipment with modern technology Two prepaid plane tickets anywhere in the USA once a year for personal use Personal use of SVC equipment, as long as it does not interfere with work schedules Office staff support for data tracking, emails, computer usage, and scheduling Team & Culture Low-ego, family‑first, faith‑driven culture Mission‑oriented leadership Clear respectful communication Mentorship and leadership development Continually improving systems and communication We are an equal opportunity employer and consider applicants for employment based on qualifications and merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. #J-18808-Ljbffr