Traveling Excavator Operator: Fiber Optics & Utilities

Ledcor Group; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision

401(k) matching

Living Out Allowance (LOA)

Travel opportunities

Competitive hourly wage

Job summary

Ledcor Group is seeking skilled excavator operators to support telecom construction projects across South Dakota and surrounding states. The role involves operating mini excavators and skid steers, working around underground utilities, and assisting with conduit installation to keep production moving.

You will travel to multiple project sites with rotating assignments about every four weeks, in environments ranging from rural to urban, and you must maintain safety and reliability while meeting

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience operating mini excavators and skid steers in underground utilities, roadbuilding, or a related industry.
• Experience with fiber optic or underground utility installation is an asset.
• Ability to read construction drawings, interpret utility locates, identify potential conflicts, and assess trench routes before digging.
• Knowledge of proper backfilling, soil conditions, lift thickness, moisture levels, and compaction requirements.
• Ability to recognize unsuitable soil, unexpected utilities, and unsafe site conditions.
• Strong understanding of safe digging practices and job site safety standards.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to safely lift up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Safely and efficiently operate mini excavator and skid steers for civil construction and earthwork activities.
• Safely excavate around existing underground utilities, including electrical and telecommunications infrastructure, following required locate and safe-dig procedures.
• Place soil and aggregate in appropriate lifts to allow for effective compaction.
• Recognize how different soil types respond to moisture and compaction.
• Support crews with conduit placement and cable installation to keep production moving.
• Complete daily inspections and basic maintenance checks to keep equipment running reliably.
• Helping with hand digging and conduit installation.
• Communicate clearly with crew members and supervisors to maintain safe, efficient production and meet daily project goals.

Skills

Mini excavator operation

Skid steer operation

Reading construction drawings

Safety awareness

Communication

Lifting up to 50 lbs

Tools

Mini excavator

Skid steer

Job description

Ledcor Group is seeking skilled excavator operators to support telecom construction projects across South Dakota and surrounding states. The role involves operating mini excavators and skid steers, working around underground utilities, and assisting with conduit installation to keep production moving.

You will travel to multiple project sites with rotating assignments about every four weeks, in environments ranging from rural to urban, and you must maintain safety and reliability while meeting