Drainage Foreman

Balfour Beatty plc; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Insurance

401(k) with company match

Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Paid Holidays

Job summary

A civil construction company in Austin is seeking a Field Crew Leader to oversee the installation of roadway and civil drainage systems. The successful candidate will have over 5 years of heavy civil experience, with a strong focus on safety and crew management. Additional qualifications include a high school diploma and proficiency with relevant tools. This role offers a competitive benefits package and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of heavy civil/highway drainage experience.
• 2+ years in a lead/foreman role.
• Strong commitment to safe work practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead crews installing roadway and civil drainage systems.
• Ensure safety compliance and quality of work.
• Manage daily reports and documentation.

Skills

Safety awareness

Ability to read plans

Experience with heavy civil construction

Education

High school diploma/GED

Technical coursework in civil construction or related field

Tools

Pipe lasers

GPS/GNSS

Job description

As an industry leader Balfour Beatty offers employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes competitive salaries, paid time off, education assistance and much more including:

• Life Insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Dependent Care and Health Reimbursement Care)
• Paid Holidays
• Additional benefits included

Position Summary

Leads field crews installing roadway and civil drainage systems—including RCP/HDPE pipe, RCBs/box culverts, manholes, inlets, headwalls/wingwalls, storm laterals, underdrains, and related structures—on DOT, municipal, and design/build projects. Responsible for safety, quality, productivity, and crew development while meeting schedule and budget.

Key Responsibilities

• Safety Compliance
  • Champion a zero-incident culture; conduct daily JSAs/THAs and toolbox talks
  • Enforce trenching/shoring, confined-space, traffic control, and PPE requirements per OSHA
  • Ensure environmental BMPs (erosion/sediment control, dewatering, SWPPP) are implemented and maintained
• Planning & Coordination
  • Review plans, specifications, submittals, and cut sheets; clarify conflicts via the RFI process
  • Build 1–3 week look–ahead plans; stage materials, labor, and equipment
  • Coordinate with survey/layout, QC, utilities, structures, paving, and related teams
• Execution
  • Set lines/grades and oversee excavation, bedding, lay, jointing, backfill, and compaction
  • Direct operation of excavators, loaders, dozers, compactors, pumps, and trench boxes/shoring
• Utilize pipe lasers, rotating lasers, levels, GPS/GNSS rovers, and machine control as applicable
• Manage dewatering and groundwater mitigation to protect trench stability
• Maintain traffic control and site logistics to minimize public/owner exposure
• Quality Testing
  • Verify compliance with project/DOT specifications
  • Inspect bedding, haunching, cover, joint integrity, structures, and backfill compaction; coordinate density and leakage/mandrel tests
  • Deliver "first–time–right" work; close punch–list items
• Lead 6–20 craft (operators, pipe layers, laborers); assign tasks, coach, and evaluate performance
• Train crew on safe work practices, equipment, and installation standards; foster teamwork and accountability
• Administration
  • Complete daily reports, quantities, timecards, equipment logs, and delivery tickets accurately and on time
  • Protect company assets and maintain a clean, organized work environment

Additional responsibilities include safety leadership and stop–work authority, plan/spec interpretation and problem solving, crew planning, coaching, and conflict resolution, productivity management (units/day, cost awareness), quality control and documentation rigor, and collaboration with survey, QC, and inspectors

Physical Requirements & Work Environment: Work outdoors in all weather; frequent standing, walking, climbing in/out of equipment; lift/push/pull up to 50–75 pounds; exposure to noise, dust, and heavy equipment; extended hours, nights/weekends, and regional travel as project needs

• Success Metrics (Examples)
  • Safety: zero recordables; daily JSAs/toolbox talks
  • Quality: first–pass inspection acceptance; minimal rework
  • Schedule/Cost: planned vs. actual units met or better; accurate daily quantities
  • People: crew retention, training completions, positive inspector/owner relationships
  • Prepare daily reports, logs, and documentation to support compliance and project record-keeping

Qualifications

• High school diploma/GED; technical coursework in civil construction or related field
• 5+ years heavy civil/highway drainage experience with 2+ years in a lead/foreman role
• Proven ability to read plans, profiles, cross–sections, and set/verify alignments
• Proficient with pipe lasers, levels, and basic GPS/GNSS field work
• Working knowledge of DOT/Municipal specs and typical details for storm drainage
• Valid driver license and insurable driving record
• Strong safety awareness and commitment to safe work practices

Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process, please contact Human Resources at:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

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