Foreman - Midlands Contracting

Midlands Contracting, Inc.; Kearney (NE); On-site; USD 85,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Health insurance

Life insurance

401(k) plan

Dental and vision insurance

Flexible benefits plan

Aflac supplemental insurance

Job summary

Midlands Contracting, Inc. seeks an experienced Underground Utilities Foreman to lead underground utility crews on projects across Nebraska.

This hands-on field leadership role emphasizes safe, productive operations, crew performance, equipment coordination, work quality, and accurate daily documentation. The ideal candidate has at least 3 years of crew leadership in underground utility installation, reads plans, coordinates labor and equipment, and travels for out-of-town projects.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of experience leading a construction crew performing underground utility installation.
• Ability to read plans, follow specifications, and resolve field problems.
• Strong work ethic, dependable attendance and professional communication skills.
• Willingness to travel for out-of-town projects, Monday through Friday.
• Authorization to work in the United States and ability to pass a post-offer drug screen.

Responsibilities

• Lead, direct, and train a crew of approximately 5-6 employees.
• Plan daily work, assign tasks, coordinate labor and equipment, and maintain crew productivity.
• Oversee installation of sanitary sewer, water main, and storm sewer systems.
• Operate excavators, loaders, skid steers, and other heavy equipment.
• Manage field operations safely and efficiently while meeting project plans, specs, schedules, and quality standards.
• Conduct daily safety planning and stop work when unsafe conditions are present.
• Record daily crew hours, production quantities, and job progress accurately.
• Document employee coaching, performance feedback, incidents, and job-site issues promptly.

Skills

Crew leadership

Work planning

Reading plans

Communication

Travel willingness

Safety awareness

Tools

Excavator operation

Loader/Skid steer operation

Job description

Midlands Contracting is seeking an experienced Underground Utilities Foreman to lead underground utility crews. This is a hands‑on field leadership position responsible for safe, productive operations; crew performance; equipment coordination; work quality; and accurate daily documentation. The ideal candidate is dependable, detail-oriented, willing to travel for projects, and ready to lead by example on the job site.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, direct, and train a crew of approximately 5-6 employees
• Plan daily work, assign tasks, coordinate labor and equipment, and maintain crew productivity
• Oversee installation of sanitary sewer, water main, and storm sewer systems
• Operate excavators, loaders, skid steers, and other heavy equipment
• Manage field operations safely and efficiently while meeting project plans, specifications, schedules, and quality standards
• Conduct daily safety planning, enforce company and site‑specific safety requirements, and stop work when unsafe conditions are present
• Communicate professionally with project managers, inspectors, engineers, municipal personnel, subcontractors, property owners, and the public
• Accurately record and track daily crew hours, production quantities, and job progress
• Document employee coaching, performance feedback, incidents, and job‑site issues promptly and clearly
• Maintain an organized job site and safeguard company equipment, materials, and tools

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• At least 3 years of experience leading a construction crew performing underground utility installation
• Strong working knowledge of excavation, trenching, pipe installation, grade control, backfill, compaction, and utility construction
• Ability to read plans, follow specifications, communicate job‑site needs, and resolve field problems
• Proven ability to lead independently, hold team members accountable, and train employees
• Strong work ethic, attention to detail, dependable attendance, and professional communication skills
• Willingness to travel for out-of-town projects, Monday through Friday
• Authorization to work in the United States
• Ability to pass a post‑offer, pre‑employment drug screen

Physical and Safety Requirements

• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds independently; use team lifting for loads over 50 pounds
• Stand and walk for extended periods on uneven outdoor terrain
• Frequently stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, and crawl throughout the workday
• Work outdoors in changing weather and around heavy equipment, traffic, noise, dust, mud, and active excavation areas
• Follow all company, OSHA, owner, and project safety requirements. Company safety training is provided
• Use required personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times

Compensation, Schedule, and Travel

• Pay range: $85,000-$150,000 annually, depending on experience
• Schedule: 50 or more hours per week, with no regular weekend work
• Travel: Some projects require overnight travel Monday through Friday, with employees' home on weekends
• Transportation from Kearney, Nebraska, is provided for out-of-town work
• Paid travel time, company-paid hotel accommodations and a nightly meal per diem are provided for qualifying out-of-town assignments
• Company-provided pickup and cell phone
• Year-round employment with no seasonal winter layoffs

Benefits

• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Bonus program
• Company-paid training
• Health insurance, with the company paying 50% premiums for employees and eligible family members
• Life insurance, with the company paying 50% of premiums for employees and eligible family members
• 401(k) plan with a company match; the company match is immediately vested
• Voluntary dental and vision insurance
• Cafeteria/flexible benefits plan
• Voluntary Aflac supplemental insurance plans