Construction Trades Recruiter

Benchmark Utility Services; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Benchmark Utility Services is seeking a Construction Trades Recruiter to source, screen, and hire skilled field workers across our projects. The role emphasizes field presence, relationship-building with site leaders, trade schools, and community groups to ensure a steady pipeline of qualified candidates.

You will collaborate with Operations and HR, manage end-to-end recruitment, and travel regularly to job sites and events to meet staffing needs in our service areas.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Associate degree preferred in HR, Business, Construction Management, or related field.
• Two years minimum recruiting experience, preferably in construction or skilled trades.
• Experience recruiting field staff in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Strong full-cycle recruiting knowledge and talent acquisition best practices.
• Ability to build relationships with candidates, managers, and leadership.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple openings and deadlines.
• Experience using ATS/HRIS, Microsoft Office, and recruiting software.
• Knowledge of employment laws and hiring compliance preferred.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel frequently.

Responsibilities

• Source, recruit, screen, interview, and hire qualified construction professionals (operators, foremen, crew leaders, laborers, pipe layers, utility workers).
• Develop and maintain a continuous pipeline through field recruiting, referrals, job fairs, trade schools, and community outreach.
• Visit active job sites to understand staffing needs and identify opportunities.
• Collaborate with Project Managers and Operations leadership on workforce requirements.
• Coordinate interviews, hiring events, and recruiting campaigns.
• Maintain frequent candidate communication and ensure a positive experience.
• Coordinate pre-employment screenings, background checks, and DOT scheduling.
• Support onboarding, orientation scheduling, and employment documentation.

Skills

Relationship building

Full-cycle recruiting

Field recruiting

Communication skills

Organization

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Associate's degree

Tools

ATS/HRIS

Microsoft Office

Recruiting software

Job description

Company Overview

Benchmark Utility Services is a premier design-build, site, and underground utility construction company, successfully completing more than 500 projects over the past ten (10) years. Specializing in mission-critical infrastructure, our team delivers high-quality construction solutions through collaboration, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to safety and excellence.

At Benchmark, our people are our greatest asset. We invest in our employees through professional development, career growth opportunities, and a culture built on teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement. If you're passionate about connecting skilled professionals with meaningful careers and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, we'd love to have you on our team.

Position Summary

The Construction Trades Recruiter is responsible for sourcing, recruiting, screening, and hiring skilled construction professionals to support Benchmark Utility Services' operational workforce. This position plays a critical role in ensuring field operations have the talent necessary to successfully execute projects throughout our service areas.

This is a highly visible, field-focused recruiting position requiring a proactive approach to talent acquisition. The recruiter will spend significant time in the field building relationships with candidates, superintendents, trade schools, workforce organizations, and community partners while developing strong talent pipelines for current and future hiring needs.

The successful candidate will serve as a trusted recruiting partner to Operations by understanding workforce demands, anticipating staffing needs, and delivering qualified candidates in a timely manner. This position works closely with hiring managers, Human Resources, and the Recruiting team to ensure a consistent, professional, and positive candidate experience from initial contact through onboarding.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Source, recruit, screen, interview, and hire qualified construction professionals including operators, foremen, crew leaders, laborers, pipe layers, utility workers, and other skilled trades.
• Develop and maintain a continuous pipeline of qualified candidates through field recruiting, networking, referrals, job fairs, trade schools, workforce development organizations, and community outreach.
• Conduct regular visits to active job sites to build relationships with field leadership, understand staffing needs, and identify recruiting opportunities.
• Partner with Project Managers, Superintendents, and Operations leadership to understand current and upcoming workforce requirements.
• Coordinate and schedule interviews, hiring events, recruiting campaigns, and hiring initiatives.
• Maintain frequent communication with candidates throughout the recruitment and hiring process to ensure positive candidate experience.
• Conduct candidate screenings, reference checks, background checks, drug testing coordination, DOT physical scheduling, and other pre-employment requirements.
• Collaborate with Human Resources and Safety to support new hire onboarding, orientation scheduling, and required employment documentation.
• Maintain accurate candidate records, interview notes, recruiting activity, and hiring status within the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
• Participate in weekly recruiting meetings and provide updates regarding recruiting activity, candidate pipelines, hiring progress, and workforce needs.
• Track recruiting metrics including applicant flow, interviews, hires, time-to-fill, source effectiveness, and other key performance indicators.
• Promote Benchmark Utility Services' culture, values, and employment brand throughout the recruiting process.
• Build long‑term relationships with candidates to develop future talent pipelines for anticipated staffing needs.
• Stay current on labor market trends, compensation expectations, and competitive recruiting strategies within the construction industry.
• Travel regularly throughout assigned recruiting territories, job sites, hiring events, and company offices.
• Support additional recruiting, Human Resources, and workforce planning initiatives as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Construction Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent work experience will be considered.
• Minimum two (2) years of recruiting experience, preferably within construction, utilities, manufacturing, transportation, or skilled trades.
• Experience recruiting field employees in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of full-cycle recruiting and talent acquisition best practices.
• Ability to build relationships with candidates, hiring managers, and operational leadership.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple openings and deadlines simultaneously.
• Experience utilizing Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), HRIS platforms, Microsoft Office, and recruiting software.
• Knowledge of employment laws and hiring compliance preferred.
• Valid driver's license with the ability to travel frequently throughout assigned territories.
• Self-motivated, organized, and capable of working independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Experience recruiting for underground utilities, heavy civil construction, site development, or related industries.
• Existing network within the construction or skilled trades community.
• Experience coordinating hiring events and community recruiting initiatives.
• SHRM Talent Acquisition Specialty Credential or other recruiting certification.

Why Join Benchmark Utility Services

Benchmark Utility Services offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and an environment that values teamwork, accountability, innovation, and professional growth.

Equal Opportunity Employer.