Excavation Operator Lead

Hoover Electric Inc; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Hoover Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is seeking an experienced Excavation Sewer & Drain Lead Operator to join our Sewer & Drain team. This is a hands-on leadership role overseeing excavation from start to finish on residential sewer and water service installations, repairs, and replacements.

The ideal candidate will have strong heavy-equipment operating experience and a background in underground utilities, sewer and drain, plumbing, excavation, or related construction work, with emphasis

Qualifications

• Experience operating heavy equipment on excavation projects.
• Experience leading or supervising an excavation crew.
• Strong understanding of trenching safety and protective systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead excavation crew on residential sewer and water projects.
• Perform excavation for sewer and drain installations, repairs, and replacements.
• Excavate water service lines and underground piping.
• Ensure trench safety and proper use of trench boxes and shoring.
• Oversee project safety, quality, and timely completion.

Skills

Heavy equipment

Leadership

Trenching safety

Team supervision

Tools

Excavators

Loaders

Skid steers

Job description

Description

Hoover Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is seeking an experienced Excavation Sewer & Drain Lead Operator to join our growing Sewer & Drain team.

This is a full-time, hands-on leadership position responsible for leading excavation crews on residential sewer and water service line installations, repairs, and replacements. The Lead Operator will be responsible for the excavation from start to finish, including safely digging holes and trenches up to approximately 15 feet deep, overseeing the crew and trench safety, completing the underground installation, backfilling and closing the excavation, and maintaining assigned equipment.

The ideal candidate will have strong heavy-equipment operating experience along with a background in underground utilities, sewer and drain, plumbing, excavation, construction, or similar work.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the excavation/dig crew on residential sewer and water projects
• Perform excavation for sewer and drain installations, repairs, and replacements
• Excavate residential water service lines and underground piping
• Safely excavate holes and trenches reaching depths of approximately 15 feet
• Operate excavators, loaders, dozers, skid steers, and other heavy equipment
• Take responsibility for the safety of the excavation site and crew throughout the project
• Ensure employees working inside excavations are properly protected and all required trench safety procedures are followed
• Properly use and oversee trench boxes, shoring, and other required protective systems
• Monitor soil conditions, excavation depth, surrounding utilities, and changing jobsite conditions
• Ensure safe entry and exit from trenches and excavations
• Coordinate the dig crew and assign responsibilities to keep projects moving safely and efficiently
• Work alongside crew members as needed to complete underground sewer and water installations
• Assist with plumbing, underground piping, and concrete work related to excavation projects
• Safely excavate around existing utilities, foundations, structures, landscaping, and other obstacles
• Backfill and properly close the excavation once underground work is completed
• Complete grading, compaction, cleanup, and jobsite restoration
• Ensure the property and jobsite are left clean, safe, and professional upon completion
• Perform daily inspections and routine maintenance of assigned excavation equipment
• Maintain excavators, tractors, loaders, and other equipment to ensure they remain safe and operational
• Identify equipment maintenance or repair needs and communicate issues promptly
• Keep equipment, vehicles, tools, and jobsites clean and organized
• Communicate professionally with homeowners, team members, managers, and other trades
• Ensure work is completed according to Hoover's safety, quality, and customer service standards

Equipment Operated

Experience operating heavy equipment is required, including:

• Excavators
• Loaders
• Skid steers
• Other excavation and underground construction equipment

Qualifications

• Previous heavy-equipment operating and excavation experience required
• Experience with sewer and drain excavation, underground utilities, water service lines, or similar work strongly preferred
• Experience leading or overseeing an excavation/dig crew preferred
• Knowledge of trenching, trench boxes, shoring, and excavation safety
• Comfortable working on excavation projects reaching depths of approximately 15 feet
• Strong understanding of jobsite and crew safety
• Construction, plumbing, underground utility, or landscape construction background preferred
• Ability to safely work around existing underground utilities and structures
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to perform routine equipment maintenance
• Ability to lead a crew while also working hands-on alongside team members
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Dependable, safety-focused, and committed to quality workmanship
• Ability to perform physically demanding work outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record

Requirements

• Proven experience safely operating excavators, loaders, skid steers, and similar heavy equipment on excavation projects.
• Hands-on experience excavating and completing underground sewer, drain, water service line, or utility installations and repairs.
• Experience safely working with excavations up to approximately 15 feet deep, including knowledge of trench boxes, shoring, soil conditions, safe entry/exit, and excavation safety requirements.
• Ability to lead a dig/excavation crew from start to finish, including assigning work, overseeing jobsite safety, coordinating installation, backfilling/restoration, and ensuring the project is completed safely and correctly.