Operator - Heavy Equipment

Kids for the Future; Tualatin (OR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental & Vision options

Flexible Paid Time Off

Life Insurance

401(k) with employer match

Job summary

Tapani Inc is seeking a Heavy Equipment Operator in Oregon to keep day-to-day onsite activities moving under the Foreman’s guidance. You will operate heavy equipment, perform pre-shift checks, and coordinate with crew to ensure safety and efficiency.

The role requires 1–2 years of operator experience, strong safety awareness, and the ability to handle 50–100 lb lifts. Weekend or night shifts may be required depending on project demands.

Qualifications

• High school education or equivalent.
• 1-2 years prior experience as an equipment operator.
• Understand operations and maintenance of site tools and equipment.
• Moderate complexity due to understanding equipment functions and soil interactions.
• Able to work independently with sound judgment.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment per Foreman directions.
• Communicate daily plan to Foreman for the day.
• Ensure equipment is warmed up and ready at shift start.
• Maintain safe, efficient on-site operations with other workers.
• Train others in operating techniques and safety practices.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Team player

Teaching others

Independent decision-making

Physical stamina

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Forklifts

Butt fusion

Electrofuse

Job description

• Base Pay $29.04 - $39.09 / Hour
• Job Category Field
• Employee Type Full Time

Since starting in 1983, Tapani has evolved from a single-person operation to a family-led legacy, maintaining a fun and friendly environment from the beginning. With a large team across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, we now cover five diverse market sectors: Civil Site Development, Buildings, Environmental, Transportation, and Utility Infrastructure. The consistent dedication to our core values has helped us grow, creating more opportunities for our current team and the need for new teammates.

Take a look what our current employees say about working for Tapani: Tapani Careers

Job Summary

The Heavy Equipment Operator is responsible for operating the heavy equipment to ensure the day to day activities of the onsite project move forward in accordance with the Foreman’s direction and schedule.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for Field Production
• Communicate with Foreman to understand the plan for the day
• Ensure all equipment being operated for the day is warmed up and operational by shift start.
• Ensure communication is maintained with other field workers to ensure efficient results and safe working environment
• Operation of the heavy equipment
• Assist with all tasks to ensure a quality project by Tapani Inc
• Responsible for proper use of heavy equipment
  • Complete an equipment walk around keeping cab clean and cleaning the windows and tracks when needed
  • Understand all functions and mechanics; ensure proper attachments, hoses, belts, etc. are utilized and maintained
  • Understand and perform all daily machine checks and maintenance needs; ensure proper greasing, oiling, minor repairs
  • Communicate with Foreman all equipment concerns and repair needs
  • Understand machine’s abilities and limits of performance and stay within limit bounds
  • Knowing and understanding the functions of each piece of equipment being ran.
  • Ensure safe use of equipment; show regard for the equipment, the project, the others onsite, traffic; the overall environment
  • Ensure proper handling of equipment while in operation and know where the perimeter of the machine is at all times and know your surroundings.
  • Job involves a moderate degree of complexity due to needing the knowledge to understand the functions of each piece of equipment as well as knowing the soils and how they react to each piece of equipment being ran
• Responsible for Site Safety
  • Ensure proper awareness and communication at all times with other employees while operating machine
  • Ensure OSHA standards are adhered to
  • Understand the safety risk with each task and ensure proper safety methods are adhered to
  • Ensure all safety training is current
  • Knowing and understanding the soils and how they react to each piece of equipment being ran
  • Understand the dig laws and locates while also knowing the color codes
• Responsible for upholding the Integrity of Tapani Inc
  • Ensure an atmosphere of team work and utilization of each crew members abilities
  • Maintain efficiency and quality throughout the project
  • Communicate to Foreman changes that reflect the best for the owner and Tapani Inc.
• Bring concerns to the Foreman to assist with resolving issues quickly
• Always seek ways to learn and grow personally and professionally
• Train others in operating techniques

Requirements & Qualifications

• High school education or equivalent
• 1-2 years prior experience as an equipment operator
• Understand the operations and maintenance of all tools and equipment utilized on site
• Job involves a moderate degree of complexity due to needing the knowledge to understand the functions of each piece of equipment as well as knowing the soils and how they react to each piece of equipment
• Ability to generate efficient methods quickly to resolve roadblocks
• Obtain certification in First Aid, CPR, Confined Space, Competent Person, Rigging and Signaling
• Forklifts, butt fusion, electrofuse, and trucking require certification
• Able to use discretion when making decisions independently
• Able to get the job completed with minimal impacts to the immediate surrounding and welfare of the equipment being used
• A team player
• Great interpersonal and communication skills
• Able to teach and coach other employees
• Must be physically able to perform job duties
• Ability to push, pull, carry, and lift 50-100lbs on a daily basis
• Typically working hours are Monday - Friday from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. but can vary
• Hours worked will be weather dependent along with schedule requirements
• Summer time typically is longer hours and winter typically is shorter hours due to daylight
• Work may require weekend work when project demands. Work may require night work when project demands

Compensation and Benefits

• Pay: $29.04 - $39.09 per hour (based on qualifications and experience)
• Comprehensive Medical Insurance plans with low to $0 monthly premiums
• Additional voluntary insurance options include: Dental, Vision, and a wide variety of Supplemental insurances.
• Flexible Paid Time Off and Sick Time
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• 401(k) options with up to 4% employer match