Job Description

Job Title: Heavy Equipment Operator

Location: based in West Jordan but will be traveling to CO, AZ, TN, NM, SD, TX, MT and WY

Pay: $23-27 + housing and 40 a day per diem

Job Description

This role involves operating a variety of heavy equipment on civil, commercial, industrial, and geotechnical construction projects that focus on specialty foundations, ground improvement, and earth retention systems. The Heavy Equipment Operator will split time between operating machinery and performing physical labor, supporting tasks such as excavation, earthmoving, material handling, and installation of specialized foundation elements.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment such as front-end loaders, skid steers, backhoes, dozers (including mini dozers such as D3), track hoes, and water trucks to support earthwork and construction activities.
• Perform excavation, trenching, grading, and material movement to support commercial, civil, industrial, and geotechnical projects.
• Use equipment to move, pile, and compact soil, rock, and other materials onsite as directed by project plans and supervisors.
• Assist with specialized geotechnical operations, including tieback drilling (soil nails), micropile work, and operating or supporting concrete pumps as needed.
• Unload and load beams, materials, and equipment from trucks, including cutting beams and staging materials safely and efficiently.
• Perform general labor tasks approximately 50% of the time, including shoveling, raking, vibrator operation, dumping rocks, and other physically demanding activities.
• Support construction tasks such as post installation, tracker installation, module installation, pile shaking, tube throwing, and other site-specific installation duties as assigned.
• Assist with form setting and ADA-compliant compaction and earthworks as required by project specifications.
• Operate telehandlers, forklifts, and skid steers to move materials and support site logistics when needed.
• Follow all safety procedures and site rules while working around heavy equipment and active construction areas.
• Inspect equipment before use, report any mechanical issues, and help maintain a clean and organized work area.
• Work collaboratively with foremen and crew members to complete daily tasks, adapt to changing site conditions, and support labor-intensive projects.
• Travel to various project sites and work occasional night shifts (approximately 10% of work) as project schedules require.

Essential Skills

• At least 2 years of experience operating heavy equipment on civil, geotechnical, earthwork, or commercial construction projects.
• Proficiency operating heavy equipment such as front-end loaders, skid steers, backhoes, dozers, and similar earthmoving machinery.
• Ability to perform physically demanding labor for extended periods, including lifting up to 75 pounds regularly.
• Comfort working outdoors in all weather conditions and on active construction sites.
• Willingness and ability to travel to various project locations as required.
• Comfort working a small portion of time (around 10%) on night shifts.
• Basic understanding of construction site safety practices and safe operation of heavy equipment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience operating forklifts, telehandlers, and skid steers in a construction environment.
• Exposure to geotechnical or specialty foundation work such as tieback drilling, soil nails, micropiles, or ground improvement techniques.
• Experience with concrete pump operations or supporting concrete placement activities.
• Experience in civil construction, earthworks, or industrial construction projects.
• Experience assisting with form setting and ADA-compliant compaction and grading tasks.
• Ability to adapt to labor-intensive projects and switch between operating equipment and performing manual labor as needed.
• Strong teamwork, communication, and willingness to take direction from foremen and site leadership.

Why Work Here?

You will join a team that takes pride in delivering technically challenging civil and geotechnical projects with a strong emphasis on quality and craftsmanship in earth retention and ground improvement. The work offers variety, with exposure to different types of equipment, project types, and installation techniques, supporting continuous skill development. You will work in an environment that values safety, reliability, and collaboration, and that provides opportunities to grow your experience in specialized foundation and earthwork construction.

Work Environment

This role is entirely field-based and takes place on active construction sites for commercial, civil, industrial, and geotechnical projects. Work is performed outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, wind, and precipitation. The position requires frequent physical activity, including lifting up to 75 pounds, climbing in and out of equipment, walking on uneven terrain, and performing repetitive manual tasks. You will regularly operate and work around heavy machinery such as front-end loaders, skid steers, backhoes, dozers, track hoes, water trucks, forklifts, telehandlers, concrete pumps, and drilling equipment used for tiebacks, soil nails, and micropiles. Work schedules may include occasional night shifts (around 10% of total hours) and travel to multiple job sites. Standard construction site attire and appropriate personal protective equipment are required at all times.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Salt Lake City, UT.

The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $27.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Salt Lake City,UT.

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

About Aerotek

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meets their goals, skills and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role solving for companies’ construction, manufacturing and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.

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.

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