Equipment Operator Journeyman

Kiewit; Ridgeland (MS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Kiewit is seeking a skilled power construction equipment operator to work on roads and rights‑of‑way projects. The role involves operating heavy machines, performing routine maintenance, and contributing to safe, efficient site progress.

Responsibilities include loading and grading, trenching for pipes, and training crew members in proper operation. Must follow safety rules and pass drug/alcohol testing as required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Strong working knowledge of equipment operation and safety.
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• May require U.S. Driver License.
• Pass pre-access drug and alcohol testing.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy construction equipment to excavate, move, and grade material.
• Load gravel, dirt and sand; grade roads; spread rock and gravel.
• Trench and install ditches for culverts and pipes; clear debris.
• Maintain fluid levels and lubrication; inspect equipment.
• Instruct and train employees in safe operation and job techniques.
• Estimate sizes, distances, and quantities; determine time and resources needed.
• Inspect subordinate work for contract compliance and correct deficiencies.

Skills

Equipment operation

Safety awareness

Instruction & training

Reading and following instructions

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Measurement tools

Layout tools

Job description

Kiewit is one of North America’s largest and most respected construction and engineering organizations. With its roots dating back to 1884, the employee-owned organization operates through a network of subsidiaries in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Kiewit offers construction and engineering services in a variety of markets including transportation; oil, gas and chemical; power; building; marine; water/wastewater; industrial; and mining. Kiewit had 2024 revenues of $16.8 billion and employs 31,800 staff and craft employees.

Position Summary

Operate one or several types of power construction equipment to excavate, move and/or grade material.

Experience Level

Skilled

Primary Responsibilities And Duties

• Operate a variety of vehicles and large heavy equipment while performing maintenance and repairs on roads and rights-of-way including loading, hauling and dumping on smooth to extremely rough surfaces.
• Load gravel, dirt and sand; smooth and grade roads; spread rock and gravel.
• Trench and construct ditches for installation of culverts, water pipes and sewer pipes; remove silt and debris.
• Knowledgeable of equipment in respect to checking and maintaining all fluid levels and lubrication.
• May be asked to instruct and train employees in the safe operation of construction equipment and tools and in job techniques and skills
• Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Inspect subordinate's work for compliance with the contract plans and specifications, point out deficiencies and explain and take any corrective action needed.

Qualifications

• May require a high school diploma or its equivalent with previous years of experience in the field or in a related area.
• Must possess strong working knowledge skills and abilities for position.
• Ability to understand, follow and transmit written and oral instructions and communicate effectively with management/supervision.
• Proficient in the safe and efficient use of electrical, hand tools, power tools and layout tools as well as measurement tools
• May require U.S. Driver License
• Observe and comply with all safety and project rules, perform other duties as required
• Ability to pass pre-access drug and alcohol testing

Work Settings & Job Requirements

• The person in this position needs to constantly move about a construction/industrial site, so should be able to stand, walk, sit, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl
• Constantly works in a construction environment and will be exposed to changing outdoor weather conditions
• Work irregular hours, weekends, overtime and holidays as required
• May be required to use ladders/mechanical platforms/manlifts/scaffold to access required equipment/work areas (may exceed 200 feet), so must be able to climb and maintain balance on formwork, steel formwork, stairs, ladders and scaffolds
• Move and work in and around confined and cluttered places, and uneven surfaces
• Must be able to complete tasks in a noisy and dusty environment
• May be required/able to move items weighing up to 50 pounds across construction/industrial site
• Must have required tools

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.