Heavy Equipment Operator

Gillett Excavating LLC; Port Huron (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with 4% company match

Medical, dental, and vision coverage (

Paid time off

Paid bonus program

Two weeks of paid time off

Job summary

Gillett Excavating LLC is seeking an Operator to drive earthwork and underground projects, moving dirt and installing pipe on residential, commercial, and subdivision sites. You will work with GPS-enabled equipment, read grade stakes, and maintain safety and quality on every task.

We emphasize accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement, with typical long hours and overtime during peak seasons. Join a crew that values skilled operators who take pride in great workmanship and safety.

Qualifications

• Real time in the seat of an excavator, dozer, or loader moving dirt and/or installing pipe safely and efficiently.
• Ability to read grade stakes and measure in tenths to ensure correct grades.
• Strong willingness to learn, ask questions, and improve daily.
• Extreme accountability for jobs to run smoothly and safety.

Responsibilities

• Operate late-model GPS-equipped excavators, dozers, loaders and other equipment for pipe and dirt work.
• Plan ahead and sequence work to minimize idle time and maintain production.
• Prioritize crew and equipment safety, identify hazards, and keep work areas clean.
• Support the team, stay coordinated, and help others to avoid rework and improve outcomes.
• Be part of a high-performing crew focused on quality and continuous learning.
• Work longer hours with overtime availability during peak seasons and occasional Saturdays.

Skills

Excavator operation

Grade stakes reading

Safety mindset

Accountability

Tools

GPS

Survey equipment

Job description

In just ten years, we’ve grown from a small residential startup into a company trusted to build the infrastructure that millions of people rely on every day, most of it buried underground, unseen but essential. We started by building assets; now we’re focused on building people. We believe hard work should lead to real rewards, accountability should create opportunity, and every project is a chance to raise the standard for what this industry can be.

How You’ll Contribute

We’ve grown to a point where we need to fill additional seats on our team. As a skilled Operator, you'll drive production on earthwork and underground projects efficiently, moving dirt, installing pipe, and shaping sites for new subdivisions and large commercial projects.

What You’ll Get To Do

• Create consistent, high-quality results running late-model GPS-equipped excavators, dozers, loaders, and other equipment for pipe and dirt work
• Drive production by planning ahead, anticipating the next phase, sequencing work effectively, and minimizing idle time
• Protect the crew and equipment by always leading with safety, identifying hazards early, and keeping areas clean and organized
• Help the team succeed, stay coordinated, and avoid rework by helping others, being accountable, andcommunicating
• Work with a team of high performers who are hungry to grow, proud of the work they put in, and care about doing things right, not just fast. A crew that talks openly about what went wrong as often as what went right, learning from the "bummers" instead of burying them
• Put in real hours and see real progress.Most weeks run 10 to 12-hour dayswith occasional Saturdays, giving plenty of opportunity for overtime and visible momentum on every job

What You Bring

• You’ve spent real time in the seat of an excavator, dozer, or loader and know how to move dirt and/or install pipeefficiently without sacrificing safety or quality
• You know how to read grade stakes and measure in tenths, so your grades come out right the first time
• You're confident in your skills, butnever act like you’ve got it all figured out. You keep learning, asking questions, and finding small ways to get better every day
• You take extreme accountability forjobs to run smoothly. You think ahead, own your part, and bring astrong sense of safety

Even Better, But Not Required

• You're experienced in mass earthwork and/orunderground utilities
• You can read blueprints
• You've worked with GPS
• You have a CDL-A

Typical Schedule

We work 5-12s in the peak season, and 4-10s in the winter with occasional Saturdays. Most jobs are in the counties north of Detroit and out west towards Wayne and Washtenaw Counties. Per-diem for projects over 1.5 hours away from the office.

What’s In It For You

Position-Specific Perks

• Most jobs within 60 minutes of our offices. Per-Diem supplied for projects over 1.5 hours from office
• Stay busyand see the extra effort show up on your check with steady, year-round work,plenty of hours, and overtime
• Clear info, no guesswork, and no blind digging. We handle our own GPS and surveys, and you’ll always have access to current plans
• Semi-flexible hours and days off with year-round work
• A culture built on accountability, consistency, and open feedback
• The owner works alongside the team, leading from the field as much as the office
• A company mindset focused on growth, constantly learning, improving, and evolving together

Tools & Technology

• Late Model John Deere and Caterpillar equipment
• Trimble GPS
• Large variety of crew support and safety equipment
• Constant evolution of updated tech and old school methods and machines to drive project success and efficiency
• Modern estimating and project management tools: Insite Elevation Pro, Bluebeam, PlanSwift, B2W, and GanttPro
• High-end computers and software to keep performance fast and reliable
• A tech-forward team that’s always looking for smarter, more efficient ways to bid and build
• 401(k) with 4% company match
• 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees, and 50% for family
• Paid bonus program tied to company and individual performance
• Two weeks of paid time off

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status. We are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within our workplace and creating an environment where all individuals feel valued, respected, and supported. We comply with all applicable laws governing EEO and affirmative action, and we ensure that all employment decisions are made solely based on job-related qualifications and merit.