Crane Operator

Acadian Contractors Inc; Brownsville (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Acadian Contractors Inc. is seeking a Crane Operator to safely operate mobile cranes on construction sites and offsite field locations. You will perform lifts within load chart limits, inspect equipment, coordinate with riggers, and stop unsafe lifts.

This role reports to the lift supervisor and requires OSHA-compliant certification and 3+ years of experience. You must be prepared for fieldwork at various locations, including travel to offsite sites, with a strong emphasis on safety, inspection

Qualifications

• OSHA-recognized crane certification is required for the designated scope (NCCCO preferred).
• Minimum 3 years of mobile crane operating experience in heavy construction preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of load charts, crane configurations and net capacity calculations.
• Ability to pass physical/medical requirements for crane operator.

Responsibilities

• Perform and document crane inspections per OSHA requirements; remove deficient equipment.
• Verify crane setup including ground conditions, mats, outriggers, and levelness.
• Ensure safety devices (load moment indicator, anti-two-block) are functional before lifts.
• Review lift plans and rigging; participate in pre-lift planning and meetings.
• Operate within crane load chart capacity and adhere to safety controls.
• Communicate with riggers and crew using standard hand signals or radio.
• Maintain required clearances from power lines and follow encroachment prevention measures.
• Coordinate crane travel and securement between job sites.
• Perform operator maintenance and keep accurate logs/records.
• Direct riggers and crew in lifting operations; maintain crane area cleanliness.

Skills

Crane operation

Load charts

Rigging knowledge

Hand signals & radio

Safety compliance

Physical endurance

Overtime readiness

Education

OSHA NCCCO crane certification (preferred)

Job description

Description

Crane Operator

Location: Varies

Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary

The Crane Operator safely operates mobile cranes (lattice boom crawler/truck and telescopic boom) on construction sites and offsite field locations, performing lifting, setting, and pile driving support operations for structural, piping, pipeline, and facility construction scopes. This role is accountable for operating within the crane’s load chart and configuration limits, performing and documenting required inspections, verifying setup and ground conditions, and coordinating every lift with riggers, signal persons, and the crew. The Crane Operator holds absolute authority to stop or refuse any lift they judge unsafe, takes direction from the foreman or lift supervisor for work sequencing, and is accountable for the condition of assigned equipment. This position is non-exempt (Hourly. Acadian Contractors, Inc. maintains a continuing policy of non-discrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity to protected veterans in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of non-discrimination shall include, but not be limited to, the following employment decisions and practices: hiring; promotions; demotions or transfers; layoffs; recalls; terminations; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; selection for training, including apprenticeship; and recruitment or recruitment advertising. All employment decisions are based only on valid job requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform and document daily (shift) and monthly crane inspections per OSHA 1926.1412 and manufacturer requirements; remove deficient equipment from service and report to the foreman
• Verify crane setup before operations: ground conditions and compaction, matting/cribbing, outrigger or crawler position, levelness, swing radius protection, and counterweight configuration
• Verify operational aids (load moment indicator, anti-two-block, boom angle/length indicators) are functional before lifting; follow required alternative measures when an aid is inoperative
• Review lift plans, load weights, rigging arrangements, and crane configuration before each lift; participate in critical lift planning and pre-lift meetings
• Operate the crane within load chart capacity for the configuration in use; never exceed rated capacity or bypass safety devices
• Execute lifts using standard hand signals or radio communication with a qualified signal person; stop operations any time signals are unclear or communication is lost
• Maintain required clearances from energized power lines per OSHA 1926.1407-1411 and follow encroachment prevention measures
• Perform lifting, setting, swinging, pick-and-carry, and pile driving support operations as qualified and directed
• Monitor wind, weather, and site conditions; suspend operations when conditions exceed safe operating limits
• Stop or refuse any lift the operator judges unsafe; the operator’s authority over the crane function is absolute
• Participate in assembly/disassembly of boom sections and crane components under the direction of the A/D director as qualified
• Coordinate crane travel, positioning, and securement on site; verify travel paths, overhead clearances, and tail swing areas are controlled
• Support loading, unloading, and securement of the crane for transport between job sites
• Perform operator-level maintenance (fluids, greasing, wire rope inspection support) and report maintenance needs; maintain accurate operator logs and inspection records
• Direct riggers and crew members interfacing with the lift as it relates to crane safety
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the crane, cab, and work area throughout the shift
• Participate in daily JSA meetings and follow all OSHA/company safety requirements
• Additional duties as directed by Supervisor

Qualifications and Experience

• Current crane operator certification from an OSHA-recognized accredited testing organization (NCCCO preferred) in the applicable crane type(s) — Lattice Boom Crane (LAT/LBC/LBT) and/or Telescopic Boom (TLL swing cab, TSS fixed cab) — required when designated by work scope, client, or regulation, per OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1427
• Must complete and maintain ACI’s documented operator evaluation for each equipment type and configuration assigned, per OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1427(f)
• Minimum 3 years of mobile crane operating experience in industrial or heavy construction preferred
• Thorough knowledge of load charts, crane configurations, quadrants of operation, and net capacity calculations
• Working knowledge of rigging hardware, sling capacities, standard hand and radio signals, and OSHA 1926 Subpart CC requirements including power line clearances
• Ability to pass the physical/medical requirements applicable to certified crane operators, including vision and hearing standards
• Valid driver’s license required; CDL preferred for over-the-road movement of truck-mounted cranes
• Due to the contractual/customer requirements applicable to this project, this position is limited to U.S. citizens. Candidates must be able to provide documentation verifying U.S. citizenship if required for project assignments.
• Ability to work at heights and in extreme temperatures
• Must be able to work overtime, weekends, and travel as required to offsite project locations

Key Competencies

• Proficiency in reading and interpreting engineering drawings and welding symbols.
• Knowledge of welding processes and material properties for carbon, alloy, and stainless steel.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality work.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills.
• Commitment to safety standards and proper equipment handling.

HSE Responsibilities

• Embrace, lead and demonstrate “Acadian F.I.R.S.T.” – Vision & Mission Statement as fundamental core values.
• Demonstrate visible leadership and support the proactive safety processes (JSA, Time Out & TEAM BBS Observations) to achieve an incident free workplace and advance our safety culture.
• Adhere to all “Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) Management Systems” policies, procedures, safe work & best practices guidance as well as regulatory and client site specific policies and procedures.
• Leaders must make a personal commitment and be accountability for the HSE results, driving towards achievement of HSE goals. These goals must be clearly communicated through their direct reports, with clear expectations while coaching, mentoring and empowering others to achieve the desired results.
• Conduct periodic quality assessments of HSE processes to aid in their own coaching and mentoring of others demonstrating ownership of the results for such process implementation