Excavation/Dig Superintendent

EWI Recruitment; Williamsburg (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Excavation/Dig Superintendent role to lead excavation activities across complex construction, civil engineering, or infrastructure projects. This role will ensure work is delivered safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards, while coordinating site teams, subcontractors, plant and resources.

You will take ownership of day-to-day excavation operations, providing strong leadership in a demanding site environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience supervising excavation or earthworks operations.
• Read drawings, specs, surveys and method statements to ensure quality.
• Strong health and safety training and site governance.
• Ability to manage multiple fronts and coordinate with teams.
• Experience communicating with project management and engineers.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate excavation, earthworks, trenching, backfilling and related activities.
• Plan labour, plant, materials and access requirements to support programme delivery.
• Interpret drawings and method statements to ensure works are completed accurately.
• Monitor productivity and progress, addressing issues promptly.
• Lead daily briefings and coordination meetings with site personnel and subcontractors.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental and quality procedures at all times.
• Inspect excavations, temporary works, ground conditions and services, escalating concerns as needed.
• Maintain accurate records including permits, inspections and site reports.
• Collaborate with engineering and project teams to resolve technical constraints.
• Support incident investigations and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Site supervision

Leadership

Safety compliance

Communication

Problem solving

Education

SSSTS/SMSTS qualification

Construction site supervisory certification

Job description

Excavation/Dig Superintendent

An experienced Excavation/Dig Superintendent is required to lead and oversee excavation activities across complex construction, civil engineering or infrastructure projects. This role will be responsible for ensuring work is delivered safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards, while coordinating site teams, subcontractors, plant and resources.

You will take ownership of day-to-day excavation operations, providing strong leadership in a demanding site environment. The successful candidate will be confident managing multiple work fronts, resolving operational challenges and maintaining clear communication with project management, engineers and workforce representatives.

Key responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate excavation, earthworks, trenching, backfilling and associated site activities.
• Plan labour, plant, materials and access requirements to support programme delivery.
• Interpret drawings, specifications, surveys and method statements, ensuring works are completed accurately.
• Monitor productivity, progress and workmanship, identifying and addressing issues promptly.
• Lead daily briefings, toolbox talks and coordination meetings with site personnel and subcontractors.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental and quality procedures at all times.
• Inspect excavations, temporary works, ground conditions and services, escalating concerns where necessary.
• Maintain accurate records, including permits, inspections, quantities, progress updates and site reports.
• Work closely with engineering and project teams to resolve technical and logistical constraints.
• Support incident investigations, audits and continuous improvement initiatives.

About you

You will have substantial experience supervising excavation or earthworks operations, ideally on large-scale civil engineering, utilities, rail, highways, tunnelling or infrastructure projects. A strong understanding of temporary works, ground support, underground services and safe digging practices is essential.

Applicants should hold relevant site supervision or construction qualifications, with appropriate health and safety training. A recognised site management qualification, such as SSSTS, SMSTS or equivalent, would be advantageous. You must be able to read technical documentation, use site reporting systems and communicate effectively with people at all levels.

This is an excellent opportunity for a practical, safety-focused leader who can deliver high standards while keeping excavation activities on programme.