Motor Grader Operator (Travel)

ORION; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

ORION is seeking an experienced Motor Grader Operator to safely and efficiently execute fine grading, road construction, maintenance, and site preparation in our Houston, TX project sites. The role emphasizes maintaining grade stakes, shaping roadways, ditches, and embankments while coordinating with survey crews and supervisors to meet design requirements.

The incumbent must be able to work long shifts (8–12 hours) and weekends as production needs dictate, while upholding ORION’s safety,

Qualifications

• Minimum 10+ years of experience operating earth moving equipment.
• 3+ years operating a motor grader performing finish work.
• Experience reading grade stakes, plans, and instructions.

Responsibilities

• Operate motor grader to cut, fill, stabilize and finish earthwork as directed.
• Read grade stakes, plans, and instructions to determine work requirements.
• Adjust blade height, angle, and pitch to achieve required slope and grade.
• Cut ditches and shoulders, build road crowns, and ensure proper drainage.
• Perform pre-operation and post-operation inspections of the grader.
• Grease, service, and maintain equipment per manufacturer guidelines.
• Report any malfunctioning or unsafe equipment to supervisors.
• Assist with minor repairs and cleaning of equipment.
• Coordinate with ground crews to ensure proper compaction and finish.
• Maintain awareness of surrounding personnel, vehicles, and hazards at all times.

Tools

TopCon GPS

Trimble GPS

Job description

Position Summary

This position is accountable for safely and efficiently operating a motor grader to perform fine grading, road construction, maintenance, and site preparation. The Motor Grader Operator ensures that surfaces are properly leveled, sloped, and finished to project specifications. The role involves setting and maintaining grade stakes, shaping roadways, ditches, and embankments, and working closely with survey crews and supervisors to meet design requirements.

This position is accountable for safely and efficiently operating a motor grader to perform fine grading, road construction, maintenance, and site preparation. The Motor Grader Operator ensures that surfaces are properly leveled, sloped, and finished to project specifications. The role involves setting and maintaining grade stakes, shaping roadways, ditches, and embankments, and working closely with survey crews and supervisors to meet design requirements. The incumbent must have the ability and flexibility to work different shifts and long hours (8-12 hours). Weekend work and extra hours occur according to production needs and at the discretion of the Crew Supervisor.

The incumbent must support the guiding beliefs and core values of Orion, which are centered on Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Teamwork most importantly, with each built upon the all-important foundation of Integrity.

Specific Responsibilities

• Operate motor grader to cut, fill, stabilize and finish all earthwork activities in sitework
• Reads grade stakes, plans, and instructions to determine work requirements.
• Adjusts blade height, angle, and pitch to achieve required slope and grade.
• Cuts ditches and shoulders, builds road crowns, and creates proper drainage.
• Performs pre-operation and post-operation inspections of the grader.
• Greases, services, and maintains the equipment as per manufacturer guidelines.
• Reports any malfunctioning or unsafe equipment to supervisors promptly.
• Assists with minor repairs and cleaning of equipment to ensure long-lasting use.
• Works closely with ground crews to ensure proper compaction and finish.
• Maintains awareness of surrounding personnel, vehicles, and hazards at all times.
• All employees, current and former, must maintain confidentiality by not disclosing to others any confidential, proprietary or trade secret information belonging to the Company.

EMPLOYEE SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE

• Responsible and accountable for incumbent’s own personal safety.
• Responsible and accountable for the safety of all co-workers and any other incumbents encountered.
• Authorized and obligated to stop work on any task or series of tasks whenever an unsafe condition or situation is anticipated or is observed.
• Complies with all applicable laws, regulations and Company policies and procedures, and is subject to appropriate disciplinary action (including dismissal) for failure to do so.
• Reports all violations of applicable laws, regulations or Company policies and procedures promptly, and is subject to appropriate disciplinary action (including dismissal) for failure to do so.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned or requested by immediate supervision (such as certification training, safety training, procedure review, etc.).

Position Requirements

A minimum of 10+ years of experience operating earth moving equipment is required with 3+ on the motorgrader performing finish work. This position is held to the highest level of expectations regarding personal responsibility and technical proficiency:

• Must be able to cut and maintain finish grade with blue tops and cut stakes
• Must have experience with TopCon, Trimble or similar GPS & robotics systems
• Must be able to cut slopes, backslopes, swales and balance sites carrying 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 6:1, 10:1
• Must be able to carry grades from cross-slope indicators
• Must possess functional understanding regarding moisture conditioning and density control testing for subgrade and base
• Must be proficient with soil stabilization including lime treat, lime-flyash treat, cement treat subgrade
• Proficient in placing, processing and compacting of both flex base and cement-stabilized base
• Operating this machine requires a daily inspection be completed everyday
• Be able to read and understand grade stakes, plans, and layouts.
• Be able to work in constant change in weather and site conditions.
• Be able to lift, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, and perform similar activities as needed.

Physical/Mental Requirements

The incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable workplace accommodation. The individual must also be able to wear and properly utilize appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to work or visit within areas where it is required. This includes hard hat, safety glasses, respirators, ear plugs, steel toed shoes, or other protective equipment as required by the work performed and location the work is being done. This individual must also have the ability to identify critical issues and formulate action plans with all levels of management, including corporate and executive. The incumbent must possess the ability to remain calm during emergencies and respond appropriately as dictated by the circumstance of the incident and as directed by the Safety Representative or other management personnel. Must be capable of evacuating the work area in a timely manner should an emergency arise.