Heavy Equipment Operator

Kwest Operator Position Description

Position: Operator

Report to: Foreman

Job Description Overview

Team members classified in a heavy equipment operator position shall perform skilled types of work focusing on the safe operation of heavy equipment used in the construction and maintenance of public works projects, industrial construction, energy construction projects and facilities, environmental services, and railroad projects.

Safety training by the company will be required for all team members. Out-of-town work is probable and may require travel of up to three weeks away from home at a time. Dependable attendance and punctuality are critical.

Responsibilities

• Knows the safety procedures and performs thorough review of the operator/user manuals prior to operating any power tools or equipment.
• Performs laborer tasks as required and directed by field leadership.
• Operates heavy duty construction equipment safely and efficiently, including but not limited to loaders, graders, crawler excavators, bulldozers, backhoes, and scrapers.
• Performs equipment preventative maintenance and assists with minor mechanical repairs if needed.
• Operates on cut and fill excavations with compaction requirements.
• Operates equipment proficiently to properly install underground utilities at various depths.
• Operates equipment proficiently to properly grade for slopes, contours, and finish grade for future paving operations.
• Operates equipment on erosion control projects. Removes mud and sediment from streams, installs culverts and timber mats, and installs and removes erosion control features.

Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics of a variety of heavy, power-driven equipment.
• Maintenance requirements of heavy, power-driven equipment.
• Methods and materials used in general construction and maintenance work.
• Principles and techniques of field maintenance activities.
• Traffic laws, ordinances, and rules involved in heavy equipment operations.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.

Skill and Ability to:

• Operate heavy power-driven equipment.
• Perform a variety of skilled construction and maintenance tasks.
• Read and interpret maps, sketches, drawings, specifications, and technical manuals.
• Perform a variety of manual tasks for extended periods in unfavorable weather conditions.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Learn soil composting techniques.
• Prepare written reports and/or forms.
• Communicate clearly and concisely - orally, in writing or via radio.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Progression

Team members will be assessed on their progression and capabilities through an annual evaluation or an out of cycle evaluation. For the annual evaluation, team members will complete a self-evaluation, while their supervisor will also complete an annual review. The process is imitated for the out of cycle evaluation. Once the self and supervisor evaluations are completed, the performance evaluation is reviewed by the workforce development planning group with respect to the areas of safety, quality, customer service, training record, hours of equipment operation and years in position/tenure. Kwest General superintendents and the director of field operations will recommend for a team member�s classification compensation advancement or reclassification. Kwest Group president will review each recommendation and give the final approval for a classification compensation advancement or reclassification. An approved recommendation is then forwarded to the Director of HR for execution of advancement or reclassification. The team member�s foreman and general superintendent will discuss with the team member regarding their evaluation and any change in compensation or classification.

Education and Qualifications

• Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as required.
• The average work week would consist of 5 ten-hour days, but schedule will be dictated by project needs.
• Must be able to work out of town, sometimes out of state, and for lengths of time, such as the job would dictate.
• A high school diploma, GED, or trade school certificate is preferred.
• Your skills and certifications are valuable, and Kwest recognizes it. Any special certifications or skills that are constructive to the position responsibilities will be taken into consideration when reviewing wage classification.
• Clean driving record.
• Working knowledge of construction site safety, truck maintenance, and road safety regulations.
• Will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screening, and if offered a position, any random drug screening if randomly selected.
• Must attend all mandatory safety meetings and participate in discussions with the work crew and any safety personnel on site.
• Must be over 18 to operate power-driven saws including chain saws, woodchippers, abrasive cutting disks, or other power-driven equipment, or to perform excavating operations.
• Clean driving record.
• Working knowledge of construction site safety, truck maintenance, and road safety regulations.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• Travel from site to site will be required.
• Work environment will normally be an active construction site. Exposure to dust, noise, high heat, extreme cold, and rain should be expected.
• Employee must be physically able to perform repetitive motion and heavy lifting, as described below.
• Must be able to maintain effective audio and visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties.
• Must wear all employer-mandated personal protective equipment, including hard hat, safety glasses, ear plugs, safety vests, and safety-toed work boots. Other PPE may be required from time to time depending on special safety concerns. All PPE will be provided by the company at no cost to the employee, other than safety boots.
• Must be able to hear with or without the use of a hearing device and clearly see at least 30 feet with or without the use of corrective vision
• Must be able work while wearing a respirator if necessary.
• Alternate standing and walking on uneven terrain surfaces, such as hillsides, muddy and icy soils, and other working surfaces. Safe negotiation of all types of surface conditions will always be required.
• Bending, squatting, and kneeling will be required frequently during a workday.
• Constant pushing and pulling of certain tools and materials will be required over a day�s work.
• The team member must be able to differentiate and / or identify colors.
• Must have knowledge of occupational hazards in this field and standard safety practices. Must be able to pass the 30 Hour OSHA testing and First Aid/CPR requirements before starting work.
• Must complete and meet requirements under the physical demands of this job description through a pre-employment physical examination.

About Kwest Group

At Kwest Group, we are driven by a clear mission: to lead the civil construction industry through an unwavering commitment to safety, quality, and customer service. As a 100% employee-owned company (ESOP), we empower our team members to take ownership of every project, fostering innovation and excellence from concept to completion. Central to our mission is a steadfast commitment to ensuring zero harm to every team member on every project. This commitment to zero harm is complemented by a comprehensive focus on total human health.

Founded in 2003, Kwest Group has grown from its roots in Port Clinton, Ohio, to become a trusted partner across the United States and the Caribbean. Our journey is defined by building strong, lasting relationships with our clients, grounded in mutual trust, integrity, and a deep understanding of their unique needs.

Core Values

Our core values�Safety, Quality, and Customer Service�are the pillars that support everything we do. These values guide our decisions, shape our culture, and ensure that every project meets the highest standards.

Core Focus

Our core focus is to enrich the lives of our team members by fostering strategic growth and profitability, ensuring a safe, thriving, and values-driven company. We believe that by investing in our people, we create a foundation for long-term success that benefits our clients, team members, and communities

Our Niche

Kwest Group excels in performing complex civil construction projects safely. Our expertise enables us to tackle the most demanding projects with confidence, delivering exceptional results that our clients can rely on.

Target Market

Our target market includes energy, industrial, public, federal, and rail clients across the United States, with particular emphasis on the Midwest, Appalachia, and Southeast regions. We remain open to engaging with like-minded partners from any location when the right opportunity arises. We seek clients who exhibit financial stability, align with our core values, foster collaborative relationships, and share a forward-thinking perspective.

Four Uniques

Kwest Group stands out in the industry with our four uniques:

• Safety Priority: Safety is ingrained in our culture and is our foremost commitment on every project.
• Agile Team: Our adaptable and responsive team is capable of quickly adjusting to the evolving needs of our clients and projects.
• Collaborative Construction Services: We foster strategic partnerships and interconnected relationships to deliver superior outcomes.
• Team Integrity Focus: Integrity guides our team�s actions, ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability throughout our organization.

Our dedication to safety and excellence has been recognized industry wide. Kwest Group was honored as the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) 2024 Contractor of the Year and has received national safety recognition awards from prestigious organizations like ABC and the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).

At Kwest Group, we are also dedicated to making a positive impact beyond our project sites. Our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives reflect our commitment to responsible business practices, from reducing our carbon footprint to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the team member for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

EEO

Kwest Group maintains a non-discrimination policy for all team members and applicants in every facet of the company�s operations. In compliance with federal and state laws, Kwest Group recruits, hires, trains, and promotes all qualified team members, in all job titles, without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, citizenship, national origin, disability, veteran status or genetic information.