Equipment Operator

Klaasmeyer Construction Company, Inc.; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision insurance

Telemedicine

Life Insurance

Disability coverage

401(k) with company match

Holidays + Birthday

PTO

Employee Assistance Program

Gym membership

Job summary

Klaasmeyer Construction Company, Inc. in Nashville, Tennessee is seeking an Equipment Operator to join our Field Operations team.

You will operate excavators and related heavy gear to cut trenches, excavate pits, protect utilities, and keep the crew moving safely and on schedule.

Requires 2–4 years of verifiable heavy equipment experience; CDL preferred or willing to obtain; ability to read construction drawings; outdoor work in all weather with local/regional travel possible.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2–4 years of verifiable heavy equipment operation experience.
• Experience operating excavators in open-cut work and congested areas.
• Knowledge of underground utilities and 811/one-call requirements.

Responsibilities

• Operate excavators, mini excavators, trenchers, and loaders to cut trenches and excavate pits.
• Grade, line, and set specs with accuracy; adapt to soil and field direction.
• Verify utilities are located, mark zones, and report unmarked strikes promptly.
• Perform potholing/hand digging to confirm utilities before excavation.
• Conduct pre-op inspections and report mechanical issues.
• Set up and maintain traffic control per MUTCD when near roadways.
• Log daily production, equipment hours, and site conditions.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Excavator proficiency

Open-cut trenching

Reading construction drawings

Situational awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Serving the Mid-South with excellence for over 50 years, Klaasmeyer Construction Company is looking for our next Equipment Operator to join the Field Operations team. In this position, you will be operating heavy excavation equipment to support telecommunications construction — cutting clean trenches, excavating pits for handholes and manholes, protecting underground utilities, and keeping the crew moving safely and on schedule.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Operating excavators, mini excavators, trenchers, compact track loaders, skid steers, and attachments to cut clean trenches and excavate pits — often in congested areas near existing utilities
• Working to grade, line, and specification with consistent accuracy; adapting your approach in real time based on soil conditions and field direction
• Verifying all utilities are located and marked before digging; reducing depth, hand digging, or stopping entirely in tolerance zones — immediately reporting any unmarked utility strikes to the Foreman
• Performing or assisting with potholing and hand digging to expose and confirm utility locations prior to excavating close
• Conducting thorough pre-op inspections each shift — fluids, hydraulics, tracks, and attachments — and reporting mechanical issues promptly
• Setting up and maintaining traffic control per MUTCD requirements when working in or near roadways
• Accurately logging daily production footage, equipment hours, and any notable site conditions or utility conflicts

What We Need From You

• High school diploma or GED required
• Minimum 2-4 years of verifiable heavy equipment operation experience, with demonstrated excavator proficiency for open-cut work
• Experience operating mini excavators in confined or congested areas strongly preferred
• Working knowledge of underground utility protection, 811/one-call requirements, and tolerance zone excavation procedures required
• Valid driver's license required; CDL preferred or willingness to obtain
• Traffic Control (Flagger) certification required or must be obtained within 30 days of hire
• OSHA 10 preferred or willingness to obtain; OSHA 30 a plus
• First Aid / CPR certification preferred
• Ability to read construction drawings, utility locate sheets, and grade stakes
• Willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions; local and regional travel required, out-of-state assignments possible
• Strong work ethic, situational awareness, and ability to take direction in a fast-paced field environment

This is a safety-sensitive position subject to pre-employment and ongoing drug and alcohol testing per company policy.

The Physical Reality

Operating heavy equipment in construction is physically demanding work — and the environment changes every day. Some days you're in a yard doing routine maintenance. Other days you're on a congested city street with utilities everywhere, or setting up traffic control on a state highway. This role requires full physical capability and constant situational awareness.

• Regular operation of excavators, mini excavators, compact track loaders, and trenching equipment
• Frequent climbing onto and off of equipment using three-point contact per safe operating procedures
• Continuous standing and walking on project sites and yard environments
• Lifting and carrying tools, conduit, and equipment up to 50 lbs.; occasionally more with assist
• Periodic hand digging in utility tolerance zones; outdoor work in all weather conditions — heat, cold, rain, mud, and wind
• Regular exposure to elevated noise levels and whole-body vibration from equipment operation; PPE required

Benefits

Klaasmeyer Construction Company, Inc. is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family. Coverage for applicable benefits begins on the first day of the month following 30 days of employment.

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans available at extremely low cost to employees.
• 24/7 Telemedicine program available to all employees and their immediate family members at NO COST
• Company-paid Basic Life Insurance
• Company-paid Spousal and Children’s Life Insurance benefit
• Company-paid Short-Term AND Long-Term Disability coverage
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match and profit sharing
• 11 paid company holidays plus 1 floating birthday holiday per year
• Paid Time Off (PTO) accrued based on years of service
• No Cost Employee Assistance Program
• Complimentary gym membership