Heavy Equipment Operator (Tulsa, OK) - Austin Industrial

Austin Industries; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 58,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Overtime opportunities

Employee-owned (ESOP)

401K matching

Job summary

Austin Industrial seeks a skilled Heavy Equipment Operator to support refinery maintenance, capital projects, and turnarounds. You will operate excavators, loaders, forklifts, and related machinery while maintaining safety and environmental standards.

The role requires 3+ years of industrial equipment experience, ability to read site plans, and commitment to comprehensive safety practices. Eligible candidates should possess a valid CDL and relevant certifications.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of heavy equipment operating experience in industrial/refinery environments.
• Ability to safely operate multiple heavy equipment types and read site plans.
• Must pass drug/alcohol screening, background check and safety trainings.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate excavators, backhoes, front-end loaders, skid steers, forklifts and other equipment.
• Perform excavation, trenching, grading, and material handling tasks.
• Load, transport, and unload materials and supplies on site.
• Conduct pre-use inspections and report any mechanical issues; follow safety procedures.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Safety awareness

Read site plans

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

NCCCO certifications

NCCER certifications

CDL

Job description

About Austin Industrial

Austin Industrial provides premier self-perform maintenance, construction, and soft craft service to leading industrial companies across the U.S. An industry leader for more than 60 years, we offer single-source solutions to our customers in the oil, gas, chemical, food, agriculture, power, and manufacturing industries.

About Austin Industrial

Austin Industrial provides premier self-perform maintenance, construction, and soft craft service to leading industrial companies across the U.S. An industry leader for more than 60 years, we offer single-source solutions to our customers in the oil, gas, chemical, food, agriculture, power, and manufacturing industries. To learn more about us, visit https://www.austin-ind.com/what-we-do/industrial.

Heavy Equipment Operator

Position Summary

We are seeking a skilled and safety-focused Heavy Equipment Operator to support maintenance, capital projects, and turnaround activities within a refinery environment. The successful candidate will operate a variety of heavy equipment to perform excavation, material handling, grading, lifting, and site support activities while maintaining the highest standards of safety, environmental stewardship, and productivity.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Safely operate heavy equipment including:
  • Excavators
  • Backhoes
  • Front-end loaders
  • Skid steers
  • Forklifts
  • Compactors
  • Other construction and industrial equipment as assigned
• Perform excavation, trenching, grading, and material handling activities.
• Load, transport, and unload materials, equipment, and supplies.
• Conduct pre-use inspections and complete required equipment documentation.
• Perform routine maintenance checks and report mechanical issues promptly.
• Work safely around underground utilities, piping systems, process units, and operating refinery equipment.
• Assist with refinery maintenance projects, outages, and emergency response activities.
• Follow all company, client, OSHA, and refinery safety requirements.
• Participate in safety meetings, job safety analyses (JSAs), and site training programs.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, and refinery personnel.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum 3 years of heavy equipment operating experience in an industrial, refinery, petrochemical, power, or heavy construction environment.
• Ability to safely operate multiple types of heavy equipment.
• Knowledge of excavation safety and utility identification practices.
• Ability to read and understand site plans, work packages, and safety procedures.
• Must successfully pass:
  • Drug and alcohol screening
  • Background check
  • Physical capability evaluation
  • Client site‑specific training requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Refinery or petrochemical facility experience.
• NCCCO, NCCER, or equivalent equipment certifications.
• Valid CDL.
• Experience supporting turnarounds, outages, or maintenance operations.
• Knowledge of refinery safe work practices including:
  • Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
  • Confined Space Awareness
  • Hot Work Procedures
  • Hazard Recognition

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to climb ladders, steps, and equipment.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to wear required PPE including FR clothing, hard hat, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, and respiratory protection when required.

Why Join Our Team?

• Competitive pay
• Overtime opportunities
• Stable refinery maintenance and project work
• Safety-focused culture
• Career growth and advancement opportunities
• Comprehensive training and development

Benefits & Compensation

We offer excellent benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, and a matching 401K plant. We are proud to be a 100% Employee‑Owned Company (ESPO)! To learn more about our employee-ownership structure, please go to https://www.austin-ind.com/our-company/100-employee-owned.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States. Austin Industrial is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this position.

Physical, Mental & Environmental Requirements

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Employees must be able to sit, stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, and use hands and fingers to perform assigned duties. Positions may require lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling up to 50 pounds, working at elevations, on uneven surfaces, or in confined spaces. Employees must possess sufficient visual, hearing, communication, and motor skills to safely perform job responsibilities. Employees must be able to read, comprehend, and follow safety procedures, work instructions, and company policies; exercise sound judgment; solve problems; maintain attention to detail; effectively manage stress; and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced work environment.

Qualifications Required For This Position

Education – no minimum education requirements.

Certification/License: Valid State Driver’s License

Experience – 3-5 years of operating equipment experience.

Austin Industrial is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Accessibility Note

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs or have accessibility concerns, please contact the People Services Team at [phone].