Heavy Equipment Operator

Aerotek; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

401(k) plan with match

Health benefits

Per diem for travel

Job summary

Aerotek is seeking a Heavy Equipment Operator to safely operate large hydraulic excavators and related machinery on remediation and earthmoving projects. The role focuses on river and stream restoration, requiring travel to multiple sites and adherence to strict safety standards.

You will perform excavation, grading, and material handling, with emphasis on documentation, site plans, and coordinating with field teams.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience operating large hydraulic excavators and construction equipment on remediation projects.
• Ability to perform precise finish and fine grading with heavy equipment.
• Strong understanding of job site safety protocols and regulations (FMCSR, HAZWOPER).
• Familiarity with dredging, dewatering, and sediment stabilization operations.
• Capable of extensive travel and working at multiple project sites with a clean driving record.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment including Komatsu PC490/PC360 on earthmoving and restoration projects.
• Perform excavation, grading, and shaping to meet specifications in river restoration.
• Load and transport soil, debris, and materials per project requirements.
• Maintain thorough equipment logs, inspections, and maintenance records.
• Coordinate tasks via handheld radios and communicate with supervisors and team members.
• Read maps, blueprints, and site plans to execute work accurately.
• Travel to project sites and work flexible hours including evenings/weekends.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Finish grading

Safety regulations

FMCSR knowledge

HAZWOPER training

Dredging/dewatering

Travel readiness

Radio communication

Clean driving record

Remediation experience

Job description

Job Title: Heavy Equipment Operator Job Description

This role involves safely operating heavy equipment on remediation, construction, and earthmoving projects, with a strong focus on river and stream restoration work. You will handle large hydraulic excavators and related machinery in challenging environmental conditions, support site operations, and ensure strict adherence to safety and regulatory standards while traveling frequently to various project sites.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment used in earthmoving and site operations, with a primary focus on large hydraulic excavators such as Komatsu PC490 and PC360.

• Perform excavation, grading, and shaping activities in river and stream restoration projects to meet project specifications.

• Load, transport, and unload soil, debris, sand, gravel, and waste materials to designated locations in accordance with project requirements.

• Conduct work and operate equipment in wet environments, including water, mud, uneven terrain, and varying environmental conditions.

• Support dust control, dirt compaction, dewatering, sediment stabilization, and dredging operations as needed to achieve project goals.

• Coordinate tasks using handheld radios and maintain clear, effective communication with supervisors and team members throughout each shift.

• Read and interpret maps, site plans, blueprints, technical manuals, and project specifications to execute work accurately.

• Maintain accurate daily logs, inspection reports, and equipment documentation to support compliance and operational tracking.

• Perform routine preventive maintenance on equipment and complete thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspections.

• Ensure full compliance with company safety policies, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, and Hazardous Materials Transportation Regulations.

• Work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends when required, and travel to job sites as project needs dictate.

• Perform additional duties as assigned to support overall operational objectives and project success.

Essential Skills

• Strong working knowledge of heavy equipment operation, including large hydraulic excavators, front-end loaders, backhoes, dozers, and other construction equipment.

• Demonstrated ability to perform finish and fine grading with heavy equipment to meet precise project specifications.

• Solid understanding of job site safety protocols and safe work practices in remediation, construction, and earthmoving environments.

• Familiarity with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and Hazardous Materials Transportation Regulations.

• Experience with hydraulic and mechanical dredging, dewatering, sediment stabilization, and waste transportation operations.

• Ability to operate equipment safely in challenging terrain and environmental conditions, including wet, muddy, and uneven surfaces.

• Clean driving record acceptable to the company’s insurance carrier.

• Up to 7 years of experience operating heavy equipment in remediation, construction, or earthmoving projects.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience on projects involving remedial actions is preferred.

• Exposure to environmental site work and restoration projects is beneficial.

• HAZWOPER training or experience working under hazardous waste operations protocols is an advantage.

• Ability to travel extensively for project work, including overnight stays during the week.

• Strong communication skills for coordinating tasks via handheld radios and collaborating with field teams.

• Attention to detail for completing logs, inspection reports, and equipment documentation accurately.

Why Work Here?

You join a team that values continuous improvement and recognizes strong performance through annual reviews and spot bonuses. The organization supports long-term financial well-being with a 401(k) plan that includes a competitive match. You benefit from a culture that rewards initiative, offers opportunities to work on diverse environmental projects, and provides financial support for travel through a per diem when working away from home.

Work Environment

You work primarily on environmental and remediation sites that can be hot, cold, rainy, or muddy, with conditions changing daily. Current project needs include multiple locations, with main projects concentrated around Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Lansing, and additional work in areas such as Vicksburg, Kent County, and Grand Haven. The role involves approximately 75% travel, sometimes out of state, with potential trips to Ohio or Illinois that may require being away Monday through Thursday overnight. When traveling more than 75 miles from home, a per diem is provided to support expenses. You operate heavy equipment in active field environments, often near waterways and uneven terrain, and work flexible hours that can include evenings and weekends depending on project demands.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Kalamazoo, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $35.00/hr.

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.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Kalamazoo,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 2, 2026.

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.