Job Description

Heavy Equipment Operator - Grand Haven, MI

• $25.00-35.00 Per Hour
• $125 Travel Per Diem
• Opportunity for Overtime

Job Description

We are seeking skilled Heavy Equipment Operators to join our growing team in West Michigan. This role involves operating heavy construction equipment to support earthmoving, river and stream restoration, and remediation projects. You safely and efficiently perform excavation, grading, and material handling while working in challenging environmental conditions. The position requires strong technical skills, attention to safety, and the ability to travel frequently to various project sites.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment commonly used on the project, including large hydraulic excavators such as Komatsu PC490 and PC360.
• Perform excavation, grading, shaping, and finish/fine grading activities, particularly in river and stream restoration work.
• Load, transport, and unload soil, debris, sand, gravel, and waste materials to designated locations in accordance with project specifications.
• Conduct work and operate equipment in wet environments, including water, mud, uneven terrain, and variable environmental conditions.
• Support dust control, dirt compaction, dewatering, sediment stabilization, and dredging operations as required by the project.
• Operate equipment such as front-end loaders, backhoes, excavators, and dozers to complete construction and earthmoving tasks.
• Read and interpret maps, site plans, blueprints, technical manuals, and project specifications to execute work accurately.
• Maintain accurate daily logs, inspection reports, and equipment documentation to support operational and regulatory requirements.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance and complete thorough pre-trip and post-trip equipment inspections.
• Travel regularly to various job sites, including out-of-state locations, and remain available for overnight stays during the workweek when required.

Essential Skills & Qualifications

• 3+ years of Heavy equipment operating experience with equipment including excavators, loaders, dozers, and backhoes.
• Familiarity with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and Hazardous Materials Transportation Regulations.
• Experience with hydraulic and mechanical dredging, dewatering, sediment stabilization, and waste transportation.
• Ability to operate heavy equipment safely and effectively in challenging terrain and environmental conditions, including wet, muddy, and uneven surfaces.
• Capability to perform finish and fine grading work to meet project specifications.
• Ability to read and interpret maps, site plans, blueprints, technical manuals, and project specifications.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to coordinate work using handheld radios.
• Attention to detail in maintaining accurate daily logs, inspection reports, and equipment documentation.
• Ability to perform routine preventive maintenance and thorough equipment inspections.
• Clean driving record acceptable to the company’s insurance carrier.
• Up to 7 years of experience operating heavy equipment in remediation, construction, or earthmoving projects.

Why Work Here?

You join a team that values your contribution and invests in your long-term growth. The organization offers annual performance reviews, a 401(k) plan with up to 4% matching, and spot bonuses ranging from $25 to $400 to recognize exceptional effort and results. You gain exposure to diverse environmental and construction projects, develop specialized skills, and build a stable career with opportunities for advancement and professional development.

Work Environment

You work primarily on environmental and construction sites that can be hot, cold, rainy, muddy, and subject to rapid changes in weather and ground conditions. Projects are located across multiple regions, including Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and other areas, with assignments at sites such as Vicksburg, TCS Energy on the east side of the state, Kent County, and Grand Haven. The role involves approximately 75% travel, sometimes out of state, with potential trips to locations such as Ohio and Illinois, where you may be away from home Monday through Thursday on overnight stays. When traveling more than 55 miles from home, a per diem of $125 is provided. You operate and work around heavy equipment in active construction and remediation environments, following strict safety protocols and adapting to varying site conditions each day.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Kalamazoo, MI.

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $35.00/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 Kalamazoo,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 1, 2026.

About Aerotek

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.

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