FINISH BLADE OPERATOR - GRADING (SEASONAL)

Knife River - ND; Williston (ND); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Knife River - ND is seeking a skilled grader operator to safely spread and level dirt, gravel, and stone to grade specifications. The role emphasizes careful operation, daily inspections, and teamwork on a busy construction site in Williston, ND.

Applicants should have at least five years of heavy civil operation experience, maintenance know-how, and hands-on experience with Trimble Grade Controls. A valid CDL/medical card and clean driving record are required.

Qualifications

• Experience operating graders on civil construction sites.
• Strong focus on safety and regulatory compliance.
• Proficient in basic equipment maintenance and daily checks.
• Ability to communicate clearly under high stress and follow signals.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily equipment walkarounds and site inspections to identify unsafe conditions.
• Lubricate, fuel and clean blade and related equipment.
• Operate grader blade: adjust height/angle, scarifier, and level surface per grade spec.
• Assist with dumping trucks and maintain load counts.
• Communicate effectively with team and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Troubleshoot equipment or material handling issues as they arise.
• Monitor production issues and coordinate with supervisors on solutions.
• Ensure compliance with MSHA, OSHA, EPA, and DNR safety regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Grader operation

Heavy civil ops

Safety awareness

Team communication

Education

GED or HS diploma

Tools

Trimble Grade Controls

Job description

Good Pay! Good Benefits! Good People! Knife River is a PEOPLE-first company. Our team members are key to our success, and we are committed to giving them the tools, training, and time to do their jobs productively and go home safely each day. Please consider joining our growing team today!

At Knife River, we take care of our team because we know it's our people who make us successful. We are one of the 10 largest construction materials producers/contractors in the Country. Our goal is to build strong teams that, in turn, build strong communities. We are also a publicly traded company on the NYSE with the ticker symbol KNF and part of the S&P MidCap 400 index.

ROLE OVERVIEW

This position is responsible to safely operate grader to spread and level dirt, gravel and stone to grade specification.

DUTIES AND OR RESPONSIBILITIES (summary of components that make up the job)

1. Perform daily equipment, walk around and site inspections to identify and correct any unsafe conditions and keep equipment properly maintained
2. Safely and properly perform maintenance (lubricating, fueling and cleaning) on blade.
3. Safely and properly operate blade including: regulating height and angle of grader blade, lowering scarifier and loosening packed soil to permit grading. Drives blade in successive passes over working area, observing reference stakes or hand signals of assisting worker, to level surface to specified grade. Feels level and listens to sound of engine to determine depth of cut. May perform fine or rough grading.
4. Assist laborer or roller operator with dumping trucks and keeping load counts
5. Communicate effectively (verbal, listening, written) and work with people under high stress situations. Self-motivated, team-player with good interpersonal skills; ability to maintain positive customer relations and act courteous/respectful of others.
6. Troubleshoot and problem solve situations/problems (material quality, equipment operation/repair, etc.).
7. Monitor and discuss production problems with co-workers and managers/supervisors.
8. Ensure MSHA, OSHA, EPA, DNR, safety and environmental regulation compliance.
9. Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (minimum educational, experience, or other relevant job requirements)

1. General education, grammar and arithmetic, GED or high school diploma or equivalent
2. Minimum 5 years' heavy civil operation experience and equipment maintenance.
3. Minimum 5 years' experience with Trimble Grade Controls
4. Ability to provide and maintain proper licensure, medical card and acceptable driving record.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Knife River is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status or any other protected category under applicable state/federal laws.

Subject to pre-employment drug testing and background checks.

All applications are completed online. If you're having issues completing the application, you can stop at our office for assistance.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.