Heavy Equipment Operator - Excavator

S.T. Wooten Corporation; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

S.T. Wooten Corporation in Wilmington, NC seeks skilled heavy equipment operators to load, move, and grade earth and materials on roadbeds, parking lots, and other sites.

You may operate motor-graders, bulldozers, backhoes, rollers, loaders, excavators, or dump trucks and must perform pre-shift safety inspections. The role requires long hours, including nights and weekends, teamwork, reliable attendance, and strict adherence to safety regulations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 18 years old.
• Experience operating multiple pieces of equipment.
• Ability to work long, flexible hours including nights and weekends.
• Good work ethic and team player.
• Adhere to safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Load and move dirt, rocks, equipment, or other materials.
• Operate machines to spread and level earth and pavement.
• Conduct pre-shift inspections for safety.
• Work long, flexible hours including nights and weekends.
• Follow hand signals and coordinate with crew.
• Maintain and repair equipment as needed.

Skills

Equipment operation

Team player

Safety compliance

Attendance reliability

Hand tools use

Education

High school diploma or GED

Age 18+ requirement

Job description

Job Location

Wilmington, NC

Positions Available

5

Primary Function

Operate one or several types of power construction equipment including but not limited to motor‑graders, bulldozers, rubber tire backhoes or trackhoes, rollers, articulated dump truck drivers, front‑end loaders or hydraulic excavators to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete, asphalt, or other hard surface pavement on road beds, parking lots, airport runways and taxiways. May perform minor repairs and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.

Essential Duties

1. Load and move dirt, rocks, equipment, or other materials, using trucks, power cranes, shovels, or related equipment.
2. Start machine, engage clutch, and push and move levers, switches, and pedals to guide machine along forms or guidelines and to control the operation of machine attachments, such as blades, buckets, scrapers, or swing booms.
3. Drive and maneuver equipment equipped with blades in successive passes over working areas to remove topsoil, vegetation, or rocks or to distribute and level earth or terrain.
4. Operate machines to spread, smooth, level, or steel‑reinforce stone, concrete, or asphalt on road beds or other job sites as needed.
5. Operate tamping machines or manually roll surfaces to compact earth fills, foundation forms, and finished road materials, according to grade specifications.
6. Observe grade in order to adjust machine settings and indicate low spots for workers to add material.
7. Conduct documented pre‑shift inspections of equipment for safety and mechanical defects.
8. Work long, flexible hours as demanded by our customers including nights, weekends, and work outside for extended periods during all seasons of the year.
9. Align machines, cutter heads, or depth gauge makers with reference stakes and guidelines or ground or position equipment, following hand signals of other workers.
10. Coordinate machine actions with other activities, positioning or moving loads in response to hand or audio signals from crew members.
11. Inspect, clean, maintain, and repair equipment, using mechanics’ hand tools. Conduct pre‑shift inspections and report any concerns or malfunctions to supervisors.
12. Learn and follow safety regulations.
13. Take actions to avoid potential hazards or obstructions, such as utility lines, other equipment, other workers, or falling objects.
14. Perform necessary work while complying with all company policies and procedures.
15. Perform additional duties as required or directed by the immediate supervisor or other manager.
16. Must have regular and predictable attendance.

Education

• High school diploma or GED
• Must be a minimum of 18 years old.

Work Experience

• Must be able to operate multiple pieces of equipment.
• Must be willing to use hand tools while not operating equipment.
• Minimum of 3 years’ operating and utility work experience.
• Must have a good work ethic and work as a team player; including operating different types of equipment and general labor work if needed.

Special Qualifications

Experience pulling trench boxes and sloping excavations.

Heavy Physical Demands

Heavy physical effort required including pulling and lifting or moving heavy weight material with frequent lifting or moving materials or equipment (over 80 pounds). If a position specific Physical Demands sheet is attached, it will describe in more detail the physical demands that are required.

Physical Activity

Position requires the ability to continuously work around any or all of the following: noise, dust, heat, cold, oil and heavy equipment. Personal protective equipment is normally required of the position. Position requires ability to exchange ideas quickly and clearly and the ability to receive and evaluate detailed information and instructions.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the position. All employees may have other duties assigned at any time.

EOE. Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.