Crane Operator – Heavy Civil - Helena

Make Choteau Home; Helena (MT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Make Choteau Home in Helena, MT seeks a Crane Operator / Multi-Skilled Equipment & Laborer to safely operate mobile and tower cranes and assist with heavy construction tasks. You will help support project schedules while complying with DAC safety standards, OSHA, NCCCO, MSHA as applicable, and manufacturer guidelines.

The role requires a Montana State Crane License, NCCCO or OECP certification, a DOT medical card, and 3+ years of crane operation with 1+ year of labor or related work.

Qualifications

• Certification: NCCCO or OECP crane operator; current DOT medical card.
• Experience: 3+ years verifiable crane operation; 1+ year labor or earth-moving work.
• Licenses: CDL-A preferred or ability to obtain within 6 months; OSHA 10-Hour required / OSHA 30 preferred.
• Technical: Interpret load charts, lift plans, blueprints; basic tablet/computer use for daily reports.
• Physical: Lift up to 75 lbs, climb, work at heights, tolerate weather extremes.
• Work hours: 40-hour week with overtime; PPE compliance.
• Preferred: Hydraulic/hammerhead crawler cranes; Procore/Bluebeam familiarity; MSHA Part 48.

Responsibilities

• Follow safety rules and company policies; perform required safety reporting within 24 hours.
• Conduct daily equipment inspections and log results; report deficiencies.
• Review lift plans and load charts; calculate capacities, angles and radius.
• Lead pre-lift meetings; coordinate with signalpersons and riggers for lifts.
• Operate crane controls smoothly to position loads safely and accurately.
• Maintain clear line-of-sight or radio communication at all times.
• Assist with rigging, signaling, tool tasks, concrete placement and formwork.
• Assemble/disassemble crane components under supervision; mobilize equipment.
• Operate forklifts, aerial lifts, skid steers, loaders, and telehandlers as directed.
• Perform daily inspections and basic maintenance; submit lift plans and crane logs in Procore.
• Stop work for unsafe conditions; uphold the Safety First culture.

Skills

Crane operation

Rigging

Safety compliance

Tools

Procore

Bluebeam

Job description

Job Summary:

The Crane Operator / Multi-Skilled Equipment & Laborer safely operates mobile and/or tower cranes up to the capacity for which the operator is certified and assists the crew with hands-on construction labor or operation of other heavy equipment (e.g., forklifts, telehandlers, skid steers, excavators) when not engaged in lift activities. The role ensures that lifting operations support project schedules while maintaining strict compliance with DAC safety standards, OSHA, NCCCO, MSHA (as applicable), and manufacturer guidelines. Must have a Montana State Crane License.

Experience/Education:

Minimum of 10 years of cranes and heavy equipment operating experience in heavy, highway, municipal-utilities, and/or industrial environments.

Qualification Requirements:

• Certification: Valid NCCCO or OECP crane operator certification for the crane class(es) to be operated; current DOT medical card.
• Experience: 3+ years verifiable crane operation plus 1+ year performing construction labor or operating other earth-moving / material-handling equipment.
• Licenses: Valid CDL-A (preferred) or ability to obtain within 6 months; OSHA 10-Hour (required) / OSHA 30 (preferred).
• Technical Skills: Ability to interpret load charts, engineered lift plans, blueprints, and site logistics drawings; basic tablet/computer proficiency for daily reports.
• Physical Requirements: Lift and carry up to 75 lbs, climb ladders, work at heights, sit in cab for extended periods, kneel/bend/stand on uneven terrain, tolerate exposure to weather extremes.
• Work Hours: Standard 40-hour week with overtime, nights, or weekends as project demands; 100% PPE compliance.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Previous experience with hydraulic truck cranes, hammerhead tower cranes, and 120-350 ton crawler cranes.
  • Previous experience driving H, Pipe, and Sheet Piling
  • Certified Rigger/Signalperson endorsement.
  • Familiarity with Procore, Bluebeam, or comparable construction software.
  • MSHA Part 48 certification for mine or aggregate work.

Essential Job Functions:

• Know and follow all company, client and OSHA safety rules and company policies and procedures.
• Complete all required safety reporting within 24 hours.
• Perform daily equipment inspections, log results, and report deficiencies immediately.
• Review lift plans, load charts, and rigging requirements; calculate capacities, angles, and radius.
• Conduct pre-lift meetings; coordinate with signalpersons and riggers to execute critical and routine lifts.
• Operate crane controls smoothly to position loads safely and accurately.
• Maintain clear line-of-sight or radio communication at all times.
• General Labor & Rigging – Assist with rigging, signaling, hand-tool tasks, concrete placement, formwork, demolition, site cleanup, and material handling.
• Assemble/disassemble crane components under supervision when mobilizing.
• Operate forklifts, aerial lifts, skid steers, loaders, mini-excavators, or telehandlers as directed.
• Perform daily inspections and basic maintenance on assigned equipment.
• Complete lift plans, JSAs, and crane logs; submit paperwork in Procore.
• Stop work and elevate any unsafe condition; lead by example in DAC's Safety First culture.

Physical Demand Classification:

• Crane Operator is a Heavy Duty job, according to the Selected Characteristics of Occupations Defined in the Revised Dictionary of Occupational Titles, U.S. Department of Labor and Industry. Heavy Dutyinvolves exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 25-50 pounds frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds continuously to move objects.