Excavator Operator

Aerotek; Fargo (ND); On-site; USD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits starting Day 1

401(k) with match

Paid vacation & holidays

Life & disability insurance

Employee wellness resources

Production bonuses

Job summary

Aerotek is hiring an Equipment Operator for an outdoor scrap yard in Fargo, ND. You will operate mobile cranes, magnet cranes, and shears to process scrap, load/unload trucks and railcars, and move material while following safety procedures.

The role requires daily equipment maintenance, strict adherence to yard rules, and teamwork to support daily operations. This is a permanent, onsite position with a standard daytime schedule.

Qualifications

• Experience operating heavy equipment in an industrial yard.
• Ability to perform routine maintenance on heavy equipment.
• Commitment to safety procedures in a scrap yard environment.
• Capable of outdoor work in physically demanding conditions.

Responsibilities

• Operate mobile crane, magnet crane, mobile shear, and stationary shear per yard requirements.
• Load/unload scrap from trucks/railcars using magnet crane and other equipment.
• Move scrap within the yard to maintain efficient material flow.
• Follow yard safety, environmental, and operating procedures at all times.
• Inspect equipment daily and document conditions.
• Perform daily equipment maintenance (lubrication, fueling, cleaning).
• Assess scrap for proper grade and identify safety concerns during shearing.
• Shear material to required size/thickness as per standards.
• Assist with yard housekeeping and safety-conscious operations.
• Support coworkers to improve safety and productivity.
• Provide input to solve operational problems.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Crane operation

Loader handling

Safety compliance

Teamwork

Outdoor/yard work

Daily maintenance

Tools

Mobile crane

Magnet crane

Mobile shear

Stationary shear

Forklifts/loader

Job description

Job Title: Equipment Operator

Job Description

The Equipment Operator works in an outdoor scrap yard environment, safely operating a variety of heavy equipmentincluding mobile cranes, magnet cranes, mobile shears, and stationary shearsto process scrap materials, load and unload trucks and railcars, and move material throughout the yard as needed.

Responsibilities

• Operate mobile crane, magnet crane, mobile shear, and stationary shear to process scrap materials according to yard requirements.

• Load and unload scrap from customer trucks and railcars using the magnet crane and other mobile equipment.

• Move scrap material within the yard using appropriate heavy equipment to ensure efficient material flow.

• Follow all yard-specific safety, environmental, and routine operating procedures at all times.

• Inspect and document the condition of mobile shear, magnet crane, and stationary shear on a daily basis.

• Perform daily equipment maintenance, including lubrication, greasing, fueling, and cleaning the cab.

• Check scrap for proper grade and identify safety concerns such as tanks and cylinders before and during shearing operations.

• Shear unprepared material to the required size, thickness, and dimensions based on operational standards.

• Assist with yard housekeeping to maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area.

• Support co-workers with daily operations to promote safety, efficiency, and overall yard productivity.

• Provide input and help solve operational problems as needed to improve processes and performance.

Essential Skills

• Proven ability to operate heavy equipment such as cranes, shears, loaders, and similar machinery in an industrial or construction environment.

• Experience with mobile crane and magnet crane operation for loading, unloading, and moving materials.

• Hands-on experience with mobile shear and stationary shear for cutting and processing scrap or comparable materials.

• Ability to perform basic daily maintenance on heavy equipment, including lubrication, greasing, fueling, and cleaning.

• Capability to inspect equipment and accurately document its condition on a regular basis.

• Knowledge of general labor practices in an industrial yard or construction setting.

• Awareness of safety practices related to scrap handling, including identifying tanks, cylinders, and other potential hazards.

• Ability to follow detailed safety, environmental, and routine operating procedures consistently.

• Comfort working outdoors in a physically demanding environment and around heavy machinery.

• Strong teamwork skills with the ability to support co-workers and communicate effectively during daily operations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience operating excavators, backhoes, loaders, dozers, forklifts, skid steers, front-end loaders, and track hoes.

• Working experience in construction, excavation, or similar heavy equipment work environments.

• Ability to contribute ideas and assist with problem-solving to improve yard operations.

• Willingness to perform yard housekeeping and general labor tasks in addition to equipment operation.

• Adaptability to changing priorities and tasks in a busy scrap yard environment.

Why Work Here?

Employees enjoy a close-knit, friendly culture at a smaller location where teamwork and long-term relationships are valued. The organization offers competitive compensation and is known for taking care of its people, with many employees choosing to stay for over a decade. This environment supports stability, loyalty, and a strong sense of community at work.

Work Environment

The role is based outdoors in a scrap yard, where conditions can be dirty and physically demanding. You will work around heavy equipment and large volumes of scrap material in an industrial setting. The standard shift runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a one-hour lunch break; scales are shut down from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for lunch. Work involves operating mobile cranes, magnet cranes, shears, loaders, and other heavy machinery in all typical outdoor weather conditions while adhering to strict safety and environmental procedures.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Fargo, ND.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $55000.00 - $60000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

• Company offers a strong overall benefits package for U.S. employees, including health benefits starting on Day 1, a 401(k) with a generous company match, paid vacation and holidays, life and disability insurance, and employee/family wellness resources.
• Employees may also have opportunities for production bonuses, shift premiums, overtime pay, and career advancement into skilled trades, technical roles, or leadership positions.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Fargo, ND.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 25, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Fargo,ND.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.