Excavator Operator - Underground Utilities

Ledcor; Fargo (ND); On-site; USD 33,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision

401(k) matching

Living Out Allowance (LOA) provided

Job summary

Ledcor is seeking skilled excavator operators for telecom construction projects across South Dakota and surrounding states. Ideal candidates bring hands-on experience with mini excavators and skid steers, and can work in rural and urban settings while avoiding existing utilities.

Projects rotate roughly every four weeks across multiple states. You will safely operate equipment, work around underground utilities, assist with conduit placement, and help with material handling and inspections to

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience operating mini excavators and skid steers in underground utilities, roadbuilding, or a related industry.
• Experience with fiber optic or underground utility installation is an asset.
• Ability to read construction drawings, interpret utility locates, identify conflicts, and assess trench routes before digging.
• Knowledge of backfilling, soil conditions, lift thickness, moisture, and compaction requirements.
• Ability to recognize unsuitable soil, unexpected utilities, and unsafe site conditions.
• Strong understanding of safe digging practices and job site safety standards.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Safely and efficiently operate mini excavator and skid steers for civil construction and earthwork activities
• Safely excavate around existing underground utilities, including electrical and telecommunications infrastructure, following required locate and safe-dig procedures
• Place soil and aggregate in appropriate lifts to allow for effective compaction
• Recognize how different soil types respond to moisture and compaction
• Support crews with conduit placement and cable installation to keep production moving
• Complete daily inspections and basic maintenance checks to keep equipment running reliably
• Helping with hand digging and conduit installation
• Communicate clearly with crew members and supervisors to maintain safe, efficient production and meet daily project goals

Skills

Mini excavator operation

Skid steer operation

Reading construction drawings

Safety awareness

Underground utilities awareness

Job description

Description

Ready to build a long-term career while traveling throughout South Dakota and surrounding states?

We’re hiring skilled excavator operators to support our growing telecom construction operations. Ideal candidates will bring hands-on experience in civil construction, utility work, or roadbuilding, with a focus on excavation for fiber optic conduit installation. Applicants should be comfortable operating equipment in both rural and urban environments, working around existing utilities.

Projects are located throughout Arizona, South Dakota and surrounding states, with crews typically rotating to a new project location approximately every four weeks.

Essential Responsibilities

• Safely and efficiently operate mini excavator and skid steers for civil construction and earthwork activities
• Safely excavate around existing underground utilities, including electrical and telecommunications infrastructure, following required locate and safe-dig procedures
• Place soil and aggregate in appropriate lifts to allow for effective compaction
• Recognize how different soil types respond to moisture and compaction
• Support crews with conduit placement and cable installation to keep production moving
• Complete daily inspections and basic maintenance checks to keep equipment running reliably
• Helping with hand digging and conduit installation
• Communicate clearly with crew members and supervisors to maintain safe, efficient production and meet daily project goals

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience operating mini excavators and skid steers in underground utilities, roadbuilding, or a related industry.
• Experience with fiber optic or underground utility installation is an asset
• Ability to read construction drawings, interpret utility locates, identify potential conflicts, and assess trench routes before digging
• Knowledge of proper backfilling, soil conditions, lift thickness, moisture levels, and compaction requirements
• Ability to recognize unsuitable soil, unexpected utilities, and unsafe site conditions
• Strong understanding of safe digging practices and job site safety standards
• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to safely lift up to 50 lbs.

Work Conditions

• Competitive hourly wage
• Must have reliable transportation
• Monday to Friday schedule
• Living Out Allowance (LOA) provided
• Travel required
• Full health, dental, vision
• 401(k) matching
• Outdoor work in variable conditions

Additional Information

Ledcor Heavy Civil and Mining services reach across the lifespan of a mine, from facility construction, to full-scale contract mining of coal, minerals, or metals, all the way to mine reclamation. Our service offerings are vast—as are the projects we work on.

Ledcor has been recognized as a Top 100 Inspiring Workplace in North America.

Our competitive total rewards package provides compensation and benefits that support your physical, mental and financial well-being. We offer exciting, challenging work with opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge.

Employment Equity

At Ledcor we believe diversity, equity, and inclusion should be part of everything we do. We are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, Veteran status or any other identifying characteristic are encouraged to apply.

Our True Blue team consists of individuals from all backgrounds who contribute diverse perspectives and experiences to Ledcor. For more information about Ledcor’s Inclusion and Diversity initiatives, please visit our I&D page.

Adjustments will be provided in all parts of our hiring process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance by submitting a request via email.

All applicants must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

Ledcor participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

https://www.uscis.gov/e-verify