Production Excavator Operator

Turner Mining Group; La Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner Mining Group is seeking an Equipment Operator in California to join a safety‑driven team. You will operate heavy equipment with a focus on safe production, daily maintenance, and adherence to Turner Values.

The role requires strong communication, teamwork, and the ability to adapt to day and night shifts on site. The ideal candidate has 1–3 years of mining or heavy industry experience, a solid safety record, and a willingness to travel if needed.

Qualifications

• Familiar with OSHA/MSHA regulatory requirements.
• 1–3 years mining or heavy industry experience.
• Knowledge of safety systems and processes.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Exemplary attendance and safety record.
• Willing to travel on short notice.
• Must pass equipment qualifications for each listed unit.

Responsibilities

• Ensure high accuracy and engagement on hazard identification and control.
• Engage with crews to define processes that improve safety and efficiency.
• Assist with MSHA regulatory task training and compliance.
• Live Turner values through daily decisions and actions.
• Support training proficiency audits and operator coaching.
• Participate in risk assessment processes at various levels of the organization.
• Maintain equipment and resources; uphold housekeeping standards.
• Communicate findings and needs to leadership and site personnel.

Skills

OSHA/MSHA safety

Hazard identification

Communication skills

Time management

Teamwork

Adaptability

Decision making

Job description

Equipment Operator

Reports to: Foreman – Turner Mining Group

Job Description:

The Equipment Operator is a skilled mining operator position within Turner Mining Group. The successful candidate must live the Turner Values and be an outward example to others. This position must demonstrate a strong commitment to “Safe Production” through decision making, priorities, and client relations.

Objectives and Contributions:

The Equipment Operator is focused on key aspects that drive communication and safe production while maintaining a high level of efficiency, and preventative maintenance awareness requirements. The Operator demonstrates safety ownership at a personal level and holds other crew members to the same high standard. The Equipment Operator will train and develop into the Senior Equipment Operator job scope while the Senior Equipment operator is filling in for the Lead job duties.

• Work with employees to ensure a high level of accuracy and engagement on hazard identification and control


• Engage crews and leadership to define processes that motivate working towards common goals


• Assist with MSHA regulatory task training and verify compliance to standards


• Live the values as part of a visible daily decision-making process


• Assist with training proficiency audits


• Involvement in risk assessment processes at various levels of the organization


• Holds themselves and others accountable for acting like an owner (taking care of equipment, not wasting resources, using time wisely, and being accountable for conditions and behaviors)


• Maintains a high standard of housekeeping (machine and work areas)

Culture and Communication:

• Can effectively communicate in English (multi-lingual preferred)


• Participate in site and project leaders to identify areas of improvement


• Work with crews to support proactive near miss reporting


• Leads by example (walks the talk)

Systems:

• Ability to perform quality pre-operation machine inspections (Based on mobile equipment physical demands analysis)


• Accurately documents 5000-23 and training checklist requirements


• Other regulatory & internal / external forms as required

Travel and New Site Development:

• Maintains a valid and insurable driving license


• Available to travel on short notice to support timelines and production requirements at existing sites

Time and Interactions:

• The Equipment Operator must be flexible on shift schedules (days and nights) to assist with training and production needs


• The Equipment Operator will be self-starting, motivated, with a strong desire to be part of a team and to influence improvement. Communication is also critical to keep leadership and site-based personnel in the loop of successes, challenges, and any additional support that may be required


• Excellent time management skills

Qualifications:

• Willingness and ability to adhere to OSHA / MSHA regulatory requirements


• 1-3 years’ experience in mining / heavy industry preferred


• Working knowledge of safety systems and processes


• Appropriate attention to detail required


• Strong communication skills


• Strong morals and values


• Exemplary attendance record


• Exemplary safety and disciplinary record


• Willingness to be flexible on daily job duty requirements


• Maintains a positive outspoken learning attitude


• The Equipment Operator must pass and maintain Turner Mining Group mobile equipment skills qualifications on each
  
• piece of the following equipment:
  
  
  • Support excavator
  
  


• Dozer


• Support loader


• Grader


• Water truck


• Haulage truck

Other Duties:

In addition to the job skills above, there may be requirements for manual tasks to be completed to meet other business needs. Operators in any job duty classification may be required to participate in these additional tasks.

Physical Demands:

The physical requirements listed below are essential functions of this position and must be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Weight Requirement: Ability to meet equipment manufacturer’s safety requirements, including a body weight under 330 pounds.


• Mobility & Posture: Ability to kneel, crouch, squat, climb stairs, and climb ladders repeatedly.


• Reaching & Movement: Ability to reach forward and overhead, and to perform sustained or repetitive movements of the neck, hands, wrists, and ankles/feet.


• Strength & Endurance: Ability to push and pull with a force of at least 55 pounds.
  
  
  • Ability to lift, carry, and set down objects weighing up to 85 pounds.
  
  


• Ability to lift and carry objects overhead weighing up to 25 pounds.


• Ability to lift and move items from floor level to waist, shoulder, and overhead levels.


• Ability to carry weights over distances of at least 20 feet.


• Repetition & Duration: Ability to perform the above motions multiple times in succession and sustain activity for extended periods.