Heavy Equipment Operator (For Job Posting1)

Job Title: Heavy Equipment Operator

Job Description

This role operates a variety of heavy equipment on civil site work projects in the greater Charleston area, supporting earthwork and grading activities while also contributing to manual labor tasks as needed. You work locally, return home each night, and play an active role in helping the crew meet project deadlines and completion dates.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment such as dozers, excavators, backhoes, graders, and other civil construction machinery on active job sites.
• Perform earthwork, excavation, and grading activities, including assisting with fine grading when qualified.
• Support project goals by stepping off the equipment when needed to perform manual labor tasks.
• Assist with shoveling, trench work, and other ground-level tasks to keep projects on schedule.
• Help load and unload supplies, tools, and equipment safely and efficiently.
• Follow directions from supervisors and work collaboratively with the crew to complete daily assignments.
• Maintain awareness of project timelines and contribute to meeting project deadlines and completion dates.
• Work safely in all weather conditions, including cold and extreme heat, while following site safety procedures.
• Demonstrate reliability by arriving on time, prepared for work, and ready to contribute to the team.
• Participate in any required testing or screening processes, including drug testing, in accordance with company policies.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of experience operating heavy equipment, including dozers, excavators, backhoes, and graders.
• Proficiency in heavy equipment operation within civil construction and earthworks environments.
• Ability to perform grading work; fine grading experience is highly preferred.
• Willingness and ability to perform manual labor tasks in addition to operating equipment.
• Reliable attendance, punctuality, and a strong, positive attitude toward teamwork.
• Flexibility to work overtime and possible weekends as project needs require.
• Comfort working outdoors in all weather conditions, including cold and extreme heat.
• Willingness to submit to and successfully complete a drug test in accordance with company policies.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• GPS experience for equipment operation is preferred.
• Experience on civil site work projects and earthworks is beneficial.
• Experience leading or supporting crews toward project deadlines is a plus.
• Experience working as a heavy equipment operator at various proficiency levels, from mid-level to finish grade, is advantageous.
• Ability to adapt between operating equipment and performing more manual labor when assigned as a B Operator.

Why Work Here?

You join a family-owned and operated organization where you are valued as an important part of the team rather than just a number. The company offers strong overall benefits and emphasizes a supportive, team-oriented culture in which everyone contributes to shared success and takes pride in the work completed in the local community.

Work Environment

Work takes place on civil construction sites within the greater Charleston area, allowing you to work locally and return home each night with very limited travel. You operate heavy equipment such as dozers, excavators, backhoes, and graders and also assist with manual tasks like shoveling, trench work, and loading or unloading materials. The role is entirely outdoors in all weather conditions, including cold and extreme heat, and requires comfort working in a physically demanding environment. Schedules may include overtime and possible weekend work to meet project deadlines, and you work closely with a field crew in a collaborative, team-focused setting.

This is a Contract position based out of Summerville, SC.

The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $30.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Summerville,SC.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 4, 2026.

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.