Dredge Operator

Alpine Silica; Doddridge (AR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Alpine Silica is seeking a dredge operator to excavate and maintain navigable channels and mine sand at lake and river bottoms. The role requires operating dredge machinery, pumps, and associated equipment while adhering to safety and regulatory standards.

The position demands the ability to work 12-hour shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed, with a focus on safe, efficient operation and clear communication with supervisors and teammates.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Dredge experience preferred.
• Prior knowledge of various pumps.
• Experience with heavy equipment maintenance and operation.
• Able to operate a boat.
• Must be able to swim at least 50 yards.

Responsibilities

• Operate dredge and hydraulic pumps to raise/lower booms and rotate cutterheads.
• Start/stop engines to operate equipment.
• Manage winches/cables to reposition dredge or pull in/out cables.
• Pump water to clear pipelines.
• Verify depths of excavations with depth gauges.
• Monitor gauges/indicators to ensure proper operation.
• Inspect equipment to identify defects or issues.
• Provide information to supervisors and coworkers clearly and promptly.
• Comply with MSHA regulations and safety precautions.
• Maintain clean and orderly work areas.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Dredge operation

Pumps knowledge

Heavy equipment operation

Safety compliance

Strong communication

Multi-tasking

12-hour shifts

Boat operation

Swimming 50 yards

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Responsible for operating power-driven dredge to excavate and maintain navigable channels in waterways and to mine sand at bottom of lakes, rivers, and streams.

Essential Responsibilities

• Operate levers to positiondredgefor excavation by engaging hydraulic pumps to raise and lower suction booms and to control rotation of cutterheads.

• Start and stop engines to operate equipment.

• Start power winches that draw in or let out cables to change positions ofdredge; or pull in and let out cables manually.

• Pump water to clear machinery pipelines.

• Verify depths of excavations using winches or scan depth gauge to determine depths of excavation.

• Monitor gauges, dials, or other indicators to ensure machinery is working properly.

• Inspect equipment to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

• Provide information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in-person in a professional and timely manner.

• Comply with MSHA regulations and all safety precautions.

• Maintain clean and orderly work areas.

• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED equivalent

• Previous dredge experience preferred.

• Prior knowledge of various pumps

• Experience with heavy equipment, specifically, knowledge of machines and tools, including their design, use, repair, and maintenance.

• Able to operate a boat.

• Must be able to swim at least 50 yards.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to inspect equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

• The ability to adjust the controls of a machine quickly and repeatedly.

• The ability to concentrate on a task over a period without being distracted.

• The ability to quickly respond.

• Must be able to perform duties in a safe manner.

• Must be able to work in adverse working conditions such as heat, wet, cold, noise, etc.

• Must be able to work 12-hour shifts, nights, weekends, overtime, and holidays as needed.

• Strong communication skills

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Safety-sensitivity position

• Ability to sit for long periods of time.

• Ability to tolerate working outdoors in all environmental temperatures and weather.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

• Repetitive movements of both hands and both feet

• Ability to multi-task and work in fast paced environment

This job description should not be interpreted as an exhaustive list of responsibilities or as an employment agreement between the employer and employee. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification and are subject to change as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. Any essential functions of this position will be evaluated as necessary should an employee/applicant be unable to perform the functions or requirements due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the employee/applicant when possible.