Excavation Lead

Metro Plumbing, Heating & Air; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insur

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays and PTO

Good equipment and quality tools

Job summary

Metro Plumbing, Heating & Air in Chattanooga, TN, is hiring a Lead Excavation Technician for our Sewer & Septic Division.

You will operate an excavator, lead a small crew on sewer and septic projects, and ensure work is planned, safe, and done right.

This full-time role offers year-round work, competitive pay at $25–$35 per hour, and full benefits.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of excavation experience.
• Strong excavator operating skills.
• Experience leading a crew or running jobs.
• Knowledge of trenching, grading, utilities, and excavation safety.
• Must pass background check and drug screening.

Responsibilities

• Operate an excavator on sewer and septic projects.
• Dig trenches for sewer line installs, repairs, and replacements.
• Excavate for septic system installs and repairs.
• Lead a small excavation crew on the jobsite.
• Make sure the job is laid out and dug correctly.
• Coordinate with plumbers, inspectors, and other team members.
• Keep the crew productive and the job moving.
• Take care of the equipment and report maintenance issues.
• Ensure work is performed safely and to a high standard.

Skills

Excavator operation

Crew leadership

Field decision making

Safety compliance

Experience in sewer/septic work

Ability to work without supervision

Background check & drug screening pass

Education

CDL Class A license

Job description

Description

LEAD EXCAVATION TECHNICIAN – SEWER & SEPTIC

Metro Plumbing, Heating & Air – Chattanooga, TN
$25–$35/hour Based on Experience + Full Benefits

Know How to Run an Excavator and Run a Job?

If you've spent years in the seat, know how to move dirt the right way, and can lead a crew without someone standing over your shoulder, this may be the job for you.

Metro Plumbing, Heating & Air is hiring an experienced Lead Excavation Technician for our Sewer & Septic Division.

We're looking for someone with 3–5 years of real excavation experience who can operate an excavator, read the job, make good decisions in the field, and keep a crew moving.

This isn't a helper position, and it isn't a job for someone still learning the basics.

We need someone who can show up, look at the job, understand what needs to happen, get in the machine, and get it done.

What You'll Be Doing

• Running an excavator on sewer and septic jobs
• Digging for sewer line installs, repairs, and replacements
• Excavating for septic system installs and repairs
• Leading a small excavation crew on the jobsite
• Making sure the job is laid out and dug correctly
• Working around utilities and existing structures
• Handling trenching, grading, backfilling, and cleanup
• Coordinating with plumbers, inspectors, and other team members
• Keeping the crew productive and the job moving
• Taking care of the equipment and reporting maintenance issues
• Making sure the work is done safely and done right

What We're Looking For

• 3–5 years of excavation experience
• Strong excavator operating skills
• Sewer, septic, or underground utility experience
• Experience leading a crew or running jobs
• Comfortable making decisions in the field
• Knowledge of trenching, grading, utilities, and excavation safety
• Dependable and able to work without constant supervision
• Someone who takes pride in their work and doesn't cut corners
• CDL Class A is a plus
• Must pass background check and drug screening

What You Get

• $25–$35/hour based on experience
• Full-time, year-round work
• No seasonal layoffs
• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid holidays and PTO
• Good equipment and quality tools
• Steady work with a growing company
• Opportunity to move up as the Sewer & Septic Division grows

Tired of Being the Guy Doing the Work While Someone Else Gets to Run the Job?

If you know how to operate an excavator, understand sewer and septic work, and you're ready to be the one leading the crew instead of just following orders, we want to hear from you.

We're looking for someone who knows the trade, works hard, and takes pride in leaving behind a job that was done right.

Metro Plumbing, Heating & Air
Chattanooga, TN