Construction Crew Leader

cityoffortwayne; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Fort Wayne is seeking a Construction Crew Leader for utilities to guide a field crew and stay hands-on to keep water and sewer projects moving safely.

You’ll direct daily field operations, oversee excavation and pipe work, operate heavy equipment, and ensure OSHA standards are followed. This role emphasizes leadership, quick decision-making, and effective communication in a demanding outdoor environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 4 years of heavy equipment or utility construction experience.
• Proven ability to lead crews and manage work in a fast-paced, physically demanding environment.
• Strong decision-making, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct daily crew operations for water, sewer, and storm system construction and repair.
• Oversee excavations, pipe installation, leak repairs, and infrastructure replacement.
• Operate and guide the use of heavy equipment, tools, and jobsite resources.
• Ensure all OSHA safety standards are followed, identifying and correcting hazards in real time.
• Track daily work activity including labor, equipment, materials, and job completion reports.

Skills

Crew leadership

Heavy equipment operation

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

GIS tools

Mobile data systems

Job description

Construction Crew Leader – Utilities Schedule: 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | On-call rotation required

Leads from the front, earns respect in the field, and takes pride in getting the job done right.

What You\'ll Do

You’ll lead a crew responsible for maintaining and improving Fort Wayne's water and sewer infrastructure. This is a working leadership role-directing daily operations while staying hands-on in the field to keep projects moving safely and efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and direct daily crew operations for water, sewer, and storm system construction and repair


• Oversee excavations, pipe installation, leak repairs, and infrastructure replacement


• Operate and guide the use of heavy equipment, tools, and jobsite resources


• Ensure all OSHA safety standards are followed, identifying and correcting hazards in real time


• Track daily work activity including labor, equipment, materials, and job completion reports

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Direct daily workflow and field execution for assigned crew


• Serve as OSHA Competent Person for excavation and trenching


• Support training, development, and performance management of crew members

What You Bring – Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent


• Minimum of 4 years of heavy equipment or utility construction experience


• Proven ability to lead crews and manage work in a fast-paced, physically demanding environment


• Strong decision-making, communication, and problem-solving skills

Preferred Certifications

• CDL Class A with tanker endorsement (or ability to obtain within 180 days)


• OSHA Competent Person – Excavation/Trenching (within 90 days)


• Confined Space Certification (within 90 days)

Technical Skills & Knowledge

• Skilled in excavation, pipe installation, and utility system repair


• Ability to operate heavy equipment and understand construction methods


• Familiarity with work order systems, GIS tools, and mobile data systems


• Ability to read plans, calculate slope, and complete field documentation

Why Work for the City of Fort Wayne

This is a career where your leadership shows up in the streets, neighborhoods, and infrastructure people rely on every day. You'll have steady, meaningful work, strong team support, and the long-term value of City benefits-including pension and time off-while building something that serves the entire community.

Equal Opportunity Employer