Dirt Crew Foreman

Gillett Excavating LLC; Port Huron (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program

Company truck and equipment use

Health insurance

Professional development

Paid time off

401K with match

Job summary

Gillett Excavating LLC is seeking a Dirt Foreman to lead mass earthwork projects and coach a 2–8 person crew. You’ll oversee production planning, safety, and quality while keeping projects profitable.

The role requires hands-on site leadership, blueprint reading, and experience with GPS tech. OT and peak-season hours are common, with a strong earning potential and opportunities for growth.

Qualifications

• 5 years of mass earthwork and grading experience
• 3 years leading a mass earthwork and grading crew as Foreman
• Ability to operate heavy equipment when needed
• Experience with blueprints and Trimble GPS

Responsibilities

• Lead dirt work projects and supervise 2–8 person crews
• Coordinate production, plans, crews, materials, and equipment
• Maintain schedule and profitability; communicate change orders promptly
• Train teammates and share knowledge to raise performance
• Help ensure quality and safety on site
• Provide daily reports to office support team

Skills

Mass earthwork

Crew leadership

Blueprint reading

Team training

Tools

Dozer

Excavator

Grader

Scraper

Trimble GPS

Bluebeam

Job description

Lead the dirt work, teach what you know, and take on a role with real earning potential.

I built this company with people who started with almost no experience, and now I’m looking for someone whose deep earthwork background can fill in our knowledge gaps. You'll help push the company forward with production, quality, and field leadership that keeps work moving and profitable.

What You'll Get To Do

• Build $100K - $3M high-quality projects out of Earth's most basic material: dirt
• Drive smooth, efficient productionwithadvanced planning, coordinating crews, tools, materials, information, and a multi-million dollar fleet ofheavy iron
• Turn raw dirt into the subdivisions and commercial sites of customers' dreams, owning the highest standards of quality
• Help train and bringout thebest in a 2-8 person crew
• Protect schedule and profitability by spotting weather, soil, groundwater, and field condition issues early and communicating change order opportunities fast
• Keep your office support team informed with daily reports
• Take ownership of production quality and efficiency by operating equipment as needed
• Work with a team of high performers who are hungry to grow, proud of the work they put in, and care about doing things right, not just fast.

What You Bring

• 5 years of mass earthwork and grading experience, including 3 years leading a mass earthwork and grading crew as a Foreman
• You can operate equipment when the team needs your help (dozer, excavator, grader, scraper, etc...)
• You know your way around blueprints
• You have experience with Trimble GPS
• You lead with a service mentality. You guide the crew, share what you know, and jump in where you’re needed without making it about ego or title.

Even Better, But Not Required

• You've got a CDL-A
• You've used Blue Beamand/or Excel

Typical Schedule:

Strong annual earning potential for someone who wants the overtime that comes with peak season. 5 days a week, minimum 8 hours a day, with peak season schedules likely running 50 to 60 hours a week. The posted schedule has typically been 5-12s in peak season and 4-10s in the winter with occasional Saturdays. Dirt Foreman may require some after-hours work for preparations. Most jobs are in the counties north of Detroit and out west toward Wayne and Washtenaw Counties. Per diem for projects over 1.5 hours away from the office.

What’s In It For You

Position-Specific Perks

• Bonus based on core values and performance, ranging from $2,500 to $10,000
• 1.5 ton Ford F-550 service truck or Ford F-350 pickup, take home daily
• Computer and tablet
• Team training resources
• Professional development and leadership training
• Semi-flexible hours and days off with year-round work close to home
• A culture built on accountability, consistency, and open feedback
• The owner works alongside the team, leading from the field as much as the office
• A company mindset focused on growth, constantly learning, improving, and evolving together

Tools, Tech, & Equipmemt

• Late model heavy equipment, including multiple-sizedexcavators, dozers, off-road haul trucks, wheel tractor scrapers, compactors, loaders, and more
• In-house survey capabilities
• Trimble GPS
• Large variety of crew support and safety equipment
• Constant evolution of updated tech, old school methods, and machines to drive project success and efficiency
• Modern estimating and project management tools, includingInsite Elevation Pro, Bluebeam, PlanSwift, B2W, Dropbox, Microsoft Planner, and GanttPro
• High-end computers and software to keep performance fast and reliable
• A tech-forward team that’s always looking for smarter, more efficient ways to bid and build
• 401K with 4% company match
• 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees, and 50% for family
• Paid bonus program tied to company and individual performance
• Two weeks of paid time off

In just ten years, we’ve grown from a small residential startup into a company trusted to build the infrastructure that millions of people rely on every day, most of it buried underground, unseen but essential. We started by building assets; now we’re focused on building people. We believe hard work should lead to real rewards, accountability should create opportunity, and every project is a chance to raise the standard for what this industry can be.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status. We are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within our workplace and creating an environment where all individuals feel valued, respected, and supported. We comply with all applicable laws governing EEO and affirmative action, and we ensure that all employment decisions are made solely based on job-related qualifications and merit.