Heavy Equipment Operator: Excavation & Grading Expert

Westmoreland Coal Company; Craig (CO); On-site; USD 55,779 - 59,939; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k with generous match

Student loan repayment assistance

Tuition reimbursement

Paid vacations and holidays

Job summary

Westmoreland Coal Company seeks a Heavy Equipment Operator in Craig, Colorado. Your role involves operating bulldozers, excavators, and haul trucks to handle construction tasks on-site. Adherence to safety protocols and effective communication with team members are crucial.

This position offers a competitive pay rate of $40.49 - $43.51 per hour and comprehensive health and welfare benefits, including 401k options and paid vacations.

Qualifications

• Previous experience operating heavy machinery in mining or civil construction.
• Ability to work extended shifts including nights and weekends.
• Valid driver’s license and insurability.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment and machinery for various tasks.
• Participate in daily project planning activities.
• Adhere to all safety standards and protocols.

Skills

Operating heavy machinery

Safety protocols

Effective communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Excavators

Bulldozers

Haul trucks

Job description

Position Summary

This position is responsible for operating all machinery on a project site, including equipment such as bulldozers, motor graders, excavators, loaders, haul trucks, scrapers, blasthole drills, as well as smaller support equipment. Key responsibilities include construction of the approved topographic design, site leveling and final grading, and soil handling and placement.

Supervisor Responsibilities

This position has no direct supervisor responsibilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment and machinery as needed to clear, dig, grade, and handle earth, rocks, soil, sand, gravel, and other materials.

• • Large Hydraulic Excavators (10 – 40 yd³ bucket)
  • Haultrucks (30 to 240-ton capacity)
  • Bulldozers (D-3 to D11 size)
  • Front-end loaders (980 to 994 size)
  • Motor Graders (12’-24’ width)
  • Water Trucks
  • Blasthole Drills
  • Support equipment (backhoes, skid steer loaders, compactors, rollers, farm tractors, etc)

• Perform daily inspections, fueling, lubrication, and minor repairs to equipment; report malfunctioning equipment to the appropriate personnel.
• Safely operate small equipment and tools such as pumps, chain saws, snow removal equipment, ATVs, generators, etc as needed
• Professionally interact and communicate with representatives of the client, outside contractors, and vendors as required.
• Participate in daily project planning activities on the site as needed.
• Adhere to strict safety protocols and mandatory safety standards (Company and client policies, and MSHA / OSHA regulations).
• Assist with manual labor tasks as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Typical Physical Demands

• Ability to stand, walk, kneel, crouch, stoop, and climb on uneven terrain for extended periods.
• Ability to work around heavy equipment safely and effectively.
• Ability to lift and move items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to climb ladders and access elevated equipment as needed.
• Must be able to work 10–12 hour shifts, including rotating days, nights, weekends, and required overtime.
• Must be able to pass pre‑employment drug and alcohol screening.
• Must have full range of motion and manual dexterity to perform job duties.

Typical Working Conditions

Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor environments. Duties may involve exposure to changing weather conditions, noise, dust, uneven surfaces, confined spaces, and active equipment or machinery, requiring strict adherence to all safety and environmental standards. Shifts may include flexible or non-standard hours, including evenings or weekends, based on operational needs. You must follow all safety requirements.

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Previous experience operating heavy machinery in the mining or heavy civil construction industries.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience that demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Licenses, Registration, and Certifications

• Must possess a valid driver’s license through duration of employment.
• Must meet all insurability requirements as specified by Westmoreland’s policies or Driver’s insurance provider.

Skills/Competencies

• Demonstrate the skills and judgment necessary to safely and effectively operate equipment in a variety of terrain, positions, and various weather conditions
• Proficient operation of heavy equipment (dozers, excavators, loaders, scrapers)
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, operators, and team members
• Dependability in completing tasks safely and on schedule

What We Offer

• This position is expected to pay $40.49 - $43.51 per hour; depending on skills, experience, education, and any certifications that are directly related to the position.
• Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you and in the things you care about.
• We offer a 401k with a generous match, student loan repayment assistance, tuition reimbursement.
• To care for your wellbeing, we offer paid vacations and holidays, monthly wellness financial incentives, Employee Assistance Program.
• Health care offerings include medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending accounts.
• To assist you in leveraging the health care benefits, we offer personal health advocates, tele-medicine, surgery concierge services, diabetes care.
• Short-term disability, long-term disability, basic term life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage are provided at no cost. Optional coverages available include supplemental life insurance and supplemental accidental death and dismemberment insurance.

Revised: March 2026

* The Company retains the discretion to add to or change duties of the position at any time.