Heavy Equipment Operator

The Gateway Institute; Hessel (MI); On-site; USD 34,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plan

Paid holidays

Paid sick time

Paid vacation

Paid personal days

Employee assistance program

Work boot allowance

Job summary

The Mackinac County Road Commission is seeking a Heavy Equipment Operator to join our team in Hessel, Michigan. This full-time position involves operating a range of heavy equipment for road maintenance and construction, with a safety-first approach and willingness to travel across Mackinac County in a company vehicle.

Requirements include at least 2 years of relevant experience, a valid Class A CDL, and the ability to pass a physical, drug test, and fitness assessment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years’ experience operating heavy equipment in road construction/maintenance.
• Valid driver’s license and Class A CDL.
• Safety-minded with ability to work independently or with others.
• Willingness to travel Mackinac County in a company-provided vehicle.
• Ability to pass physical, drug test, and fitness assessment (paid by Road Commission).

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment for public works, road maintenance and construction.
• Operate dump trucks with snowplows, scrapers, bulldozers, graders, excavators, loaders, mowers and backhoes.
• Repair cracks, joints, and potholes using hand tools and sealant.
• Change oil, lubricate and perform minor repairs on equipment.
• Inspect, service, and repair equipment and blades as needed.
• Plow snow, patch asphalt, haul gravel, and salt roads.
• Attend training courses and practice safe work procedures.
• Work in all weather and traffic conditions and lift up to 100 pounds with assistance.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Safety awareness

CDL required

Team collaboration

Physical stamina

Travel willingness

Job description

The Mackinac County Road Commission has an immediate opening for a full-time Heavy Equipment Operator to join their team in Hessel, Michigan. This position requires someone who enjoys being out in the field operating a variety of heavy equipment machines.

What We Offer.

• $30.24 per hour starting pay.
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Defined contribution retirement plan.
• Paid holidays, paid sick time, paid vacation time, and paid personal days.
• Employee assistance program.
• Work boot allowance.
• Year-round position working Monday-Thursday in the summer months; Monday-Friday in winter months.

What You Will Do.

• Operate heavy equipment to perform public work projects, road maintenance and construction activities and may include dump trucks with snowplows and under-body blades, earth-moving equipment/scrapers, bulldozers, graders, excavators, front-end loaders, mowers, and backhoes.
• Operate air compressors, hydraulic post pullers, post driving air hammers, gas cutting torches, and air drills and use mechanics hand tools to install, repair, and replace pipes, posts, signs, and delineators along highways.
• Repair cracks, joints, seams and potholes in highways and bridges using shovels and other hand tools to pour sealant or to place prepared repair material.
• Change oil, lubricate and perform minor repairs to motorized equipment and vehicles used in maintenance.
• Clean, service and make repairs to equipment and changes grader blades.
• Blade roads, plow or blow snow, patch blacktop, haul gravel, and salt roads.
• Participate in training courses.
• Practice safe work and lifting procedures at all times including wearing safety equipment.
• Work in high traffic areas and in all types of weather conditions (hot, cold, humid, windy, rainy, snowy, icy, etc.).
• Lift, push and pull heavy objects weighing up to 100 pounds with assistance.

What We Are Looking For.

• At least 2 years’ experience operating heavy equipment used in road construction and maintenance.
• Valid driver’s license and Class A CDL required.
• Must be observant and safety-minded in the course of completing your work.
• Ability to collaborate with others as well as work independently while maintaining a positive attitude.
• Ability to work under time constraints to ensure deadlines are met.
• Ability to travel throughout Mackinac County to worksites in a company provided vehicle.
• Flexibility to work outside of normal scheduled hours and/or respond to emergencies if needed.
• Ability to pass a physical, drug test, and fitness assessment (paid for by the Road Commission)

DEADLINE TO APPLY:

Monday, November 16, 2026 at 10:00am eastern time.