Heavy Equipment Operator – Excavation

Orion Placement; Traverse City (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

401(k) matching

PTO

Holiday bonus opportunity

Job summary

Confidential Employer in Traverse City, MI is seeking an experienced heavy equipment operator for an on-site field role with an active excavation crew. You will operate excavators, loaders, dozers, and skid-steers, following grade stakes, plans and jobsite signals to perform precise earthwork.

The position emphasizes safety, daily equipment inspections, and collaboration with foremen, engineers, and crew members. CDL is preferred but not required; year-round or seasonal opportunities available.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of heavy equipment operating experience.
• Experience operating excavators, loaders, dozers, and/or skid-steers.
• General knowledge of excavation, earthwork, materials, equipment, and jobsite practices.
• Ability to understand grades, elevations, markings, and grade stakes.
• CDL is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Operate excavators, loaders, dozers, skid-steers, and other heavy equipment with skill and safety.
• Follow hand signals, markings, grade stakes, plans, and jobsite instructions.
• Perform daily equipment inspections and keep machinery clean and ready for operation.
• Identify and report damaged, unsafe, or malfunctioning equipment to the foreman.
• Work with crew to keep projects moving safely and efficiently.
• Follow safety requirements at all times.
• Assist with ground-level manual labor and use tools when needed.
• Apply knowledge of excavation materials, methods, grades, elevations, and site conditions.
• Maintain a productive, organized, and positive jobsite environment.
• Take on additional field responsibilities as project needs change.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Safety

Teamwork

Reliability

Tools

Excavators

Loaders

Dozers

Skid-Steers

Job description

• Put your heavy equipment skills to work on meaningful excavation and site development projects across Northern Michigan.


• Join an established, growing team with more than four decades of experience and a strong reputation for quality work.


• Choose from full-time year-round work or seasonal opportunities depending on what fits your goals.


• Build your skills and advance your career with ongoing training and opportunities for growth.


• Work alongside an experienced crew that values safety, teamwork, reliability, and doing the job right.


• Enjoy a strong benefits package for full-time employees, including health, vision, dental, life insurance, 401(k) matching, and PTO.


• Earn a holiday bonus opportunity based on company success.

Location: Traverse City, MI — On-site. This is a hands-on field position for an experienced operator who enjoys working with heavy equipment and being part of an active excavation crew.

Note: Must have 2+ years of heavy equipment operating experience and the ability to safely and effectively operate excavation equipment. Reliable transportation and a strong commitment to jobsite safety are also required.

About Us

We are an established excavation and site development organization serving communities throughout Northern Michigan. Our team takes pride in quality workmanship, safety, teamwork, and helping build the communities around us. We invest in our people through training, career development, and opportunities to grow with a company that has significant resources and a long-term vision. Confidential Employer.

Job Description

• Operate excavators, loaders, dozers, skid‑steers, and other heavy equipment with skill, precision, and attention to safety.


• Follow hand signals, markings, grade stakes, plans, and jobsite instructions to perform excavation work accurately.


• Perform daily equipment inspections and keep machinery clean, maintained, and ready for operation.


• Identify and immediately report damaged, unsafe, or malfunctioning equipment to the foreman.


• Work closely with operators, foremen, project managers, and other crew members to keep projects moving safely and efficiently.


• Follow company, jobsite, DOT, OSHA, and MiOSHA safety requirements at all times.


• Assist with ground-level manual labor and use hand and power tools when needed.


• Apply knowledge of excavation materials, methods, grades, elevations, and site conditions to complete work accurately.


• Help maintain a productive, organized, and positive jobsite environment.


• Take on additional field responsibilities as project needs change.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of heavy equipment operating experience required.


• Demonstrated experience operating excavators, loaders, dozers, and/or skid‑steers.


• General knowledge of excavation, earthwork, materials, equipment, and jobsite practices.


• Ability to understand grades, elevations, markings, and grade stakes.


• Ability to read and follow construction plans.


• Mechanical aptitude and understanding of equipment maintenance and basic troubleshooting.


• Reliable transportation and dependable attendance.


• CDL is preferred but not required.


• Strong work ethic, punctuality, and attention to detail.


• Ability to follow instructions and work effectively within a crew.


• Positive, team-oriented, solution-focused attitude.

Why You Will Love Working Here

You will be part of a team where your equipment skills matter and your work is visible every day. We offer a supportive environment, opportunities to develop your trade, and a clear path to grow with an established company. Whether you're looking for steady year-round work or seasonal flexibility, you'll have the opportunity to build a rewarding career while contributing to projects that make a real difference in the community.