Field Equipment Operator - Ground Protection

Sunbelt Rentals, Inc.; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 24,452 - 29,714; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental and Vision plans

401(k) Match

Volunteer time off

Short-term and long-term disability

Tuition Reimbursement Options

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Length of Service Awards

Paid Vacation and Sick Days

Floating Holidays

Job summary

Sunbelt Rentals, Inc. is seeking a Field Operator to join our Ground Protection team in St. Louis, Missouri. This dynamic role involves operating heavy machinery, like skid steers and forklifts, for setting up protective matting and access roads at various job sites. Candidates should have a strong mechanical aptitude, physical stamina, and be comfortable with outdoor work. We offer competitive pay and extensive benefits including health plans and paid time off.

Join us to start a rewarding career and become part of a team that values safety and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on experience or training with mechanical equipment or industrial machinery.
• Prior experience running skid steers, track loaders, or similar heavy equipment is preferred.
• Ability to handle extended overnight travel and weekend work.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate skid steers, wheel loaders, and forklifts for heavy mat installations.
• Work with a crew to install and remove heavy-access roads.
• Perform daily pre-operation maintenance checks on tools and machinery.

Skills

Mechanical Aptitude

Equipment Experience

Physical Grit

Basic Tech Skills

Tools

Skid Steers

Forklifts

Wheel Loaders

Job description

Sunbelt Rentals strives to be the customer's first choice in the equipment rental industry. From pumps to scaffolding to general construction tools, we aim to be the only call needed to outfit a job site with the proper equipment. Not only do we offer a vast fleet that ranks among the best in the industry, we pair it all with a friendly and knowledgeable staff. Our employees are our greatest asset, and although we present a comprehensive equipment offering, our expertise and service are what truly distinguish us from the competition. We pride ourselves on investing in our workforce and offer competitive benefits, as well as extensive on‑the‑job training for all eligible employees. As a highly successful national company, we are constantly looking for talented individuals to support our growth. If you are interested in pursuing a rewarding career, we invite you to review our opportunities!

Job Description Summary

Field Operator (Event & Ground Protection)

Sunbelt Rentals is looking for a hands‑on Equipment Operator / Field Associate to join our Ground Protection team. If you thrive in the outdoors, love operating heavy machinery, and want a dynamic role where no two days look the same, this is the position for you.

In this role, you won't just be standing around—you will be the driving force behind setting up heavy‑access roads and event flooring businesses. Your primary focus will be operating heavy equipment (like skid steers and forklifts) to efficiently load, unload, and lay down massive protective matting systems on major project sites.

What You’ll Do (Day‑to‑Day Operations)

• Machine Operation: Safely and skillfully operate skid steers, wheel loaders, and forklifts to move, load, unload, and hopscotch heavy ground mats in the yard and out on job sites.
• Ground Support: Work closely with a tight‑knit crew and a foreman to install and remove heavy‑access roads, ensuring a safe and efficient setup.
• Site & Equipment Safety: Serve as a ground spotter during equipment loading, perform daily pre‑operation maintenance checks on tools/machinery, and visually inspect returns for damage.
• Field Freedom: Travel to various local and out‑of‑town jobsites, adapting to different terrain and outdoor environments.

What It Takes to Succeed

• Mechanical Aptitude: Strong hands‑on experience or training with mechanical equipment, industrial machinery, or a solid background in manual labor/field services.
• Equipment Experience: Prior experience running skid steers, track loaders, or similar heavy yard equipment is highly preferred.
• Road Ready: Ability to handle out‑of‑town, extended overnight travel, and weekend work when a major job drops.
• Physical Grit: Capable of working outdoors in all weather conditions, bending, crouching, and lifting 25+ lbs regularly.
• Basic Tech Skills: Comfort using basic MS Office (Outlook) to stay connected with the team.

Perks & Culture

At Sunbelt Rentals, safety is key to our culture, and we empower our field crew to do what it takes to make it happen for our customers. We offer stable hours, an inclusive workplace, and the chance to work with the best fleet in the industry.

Sunbelt also provides a comprehensive benefits package to its full‑time employees. This package includes:

• Health, Dental and Vision plans
• 401(k) Match
• Volunteer time off
• Short‑term and long‑term disability
• Accident, Life and Travel insurance, as well as flexible spending
• Tuition Reimbursement OptionsEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Length of Service Awards

You will become eligible for benefits on the first of the month following 30 days from your start date.

Sunbelt offers team members the following paid time off from work, subject to Sunbelt’s policies (unless specified in a collective bargaining agreement):

• 12–25 vacation days depending on years of service
• 5 sick days
• 6 holidays
• 2 half‑day holidays
• 2 floating holidays
• 1 inclusion day
• 1 volunteer day

Base Pay Range: $17.75 - $21.57 per hour.

Starting rate of pay may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, position offered, location, education, training, and/or experience. Please visit https://www.sunbeltrentals.com/careers/ for more information on our benefits and to join our Talent Network.

Sunbelt Rentals is an Equal Opportunity Employer — Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran and any other protected class.

Gear up for an exciting career!

Sunbelt Rentals supports service members. Veterans encouraged to apply.