Mid-Level Heavy Equipment Operator Join a growing civil construction team as a Mid-Level Heavy Equipment Operator, primarily operating excavators and other mid-level machinery on large-scale commercial earthmoving projects. You will work on mass grading sites on standard earth terrain and open farmland, moving significant volumes of material while maintaining high standards of safety, precision, and productivity.
Responsibilities:
Operate mid-level heavy equipment, including scraper, roller, loader, utility tractor, skid steer, water truck, dozer, excavator, motor grader, and GPS-enabled dozers to move dirt and materials on large commercial projects.
Perform large-scale earthmoving and grading on sites ranging from approximately 200,000 to 20 million yards of dirt.
Read and interpret blueprints to perform accurate grading and ensure all work meets project specifications.
Use blades, motor graders, and grading equipment to achieve high-quality finish grade results.
Operate equipment on mass grading sites for commercial civil construction projects, ensuring efficient movement and compaction of soil and materials.
Utilize GPS systems such as Trimble and Topcon on dozers and other equipment to maintain precise grades and alignments, when applicable.
Maintain continuous communication with supervisors, spotters, and other crew members to coordinate work and avoid conflicts or hazards.
Remain highly aware of surroundings at all times to prevent incidents in a busy, active construction environment and avoid distracted operation.
Follow all OSHA safety protocols and site-specific safety procedures, including participation in safety meetings and adherence to lockout/tagout and other required safety practices.
Inspect equipment before and after use, promptly report mechanical or safety issues, and support basic maintenance to keep machinery in safe working condition.
Demonstrate professional behavior and comply with the site code of conduct, including appropriate interaction with other workers and site personnel.
Adapt to changing site and weather conditions, adjusting operating techniques to maintain safety and productivity.
Support travel to other job sites as requested when eligible to drive company vehicles, including safe operation of company trucks between locations.
Essential Skills:
Minimum of 3+ years of recent experience operating mid-level heavy equipment such as scraper, roller, loader, utility tractor, skid steer, water truck, dozer, and excavator.
Proven ability to operate on mass grading sites for commercial projects handling approximately 200,000 to 20 million yards of dirt.
Strong skills in reading and interpreting blueprints for grading and earthwork.
Experience working on commercial civil construction and earthwork projects.
Proficiency in operating finish dozers and GPS dozers for fine grading.
Ability to maintain high situational awareness and communicate clearly in a busy construction environment.
Capability to follow detailed safety protocols and consistently work within OSHA standards.
Ability to work effectively in varying and sometimes extreme weather conditions.
Strong focus on safe, attentive, and non-distracted equipment operation.
Additional Skills & Qualifications:
Valid drivers license preferred but not required for employment.
Eligibility to be insured to operate company vehicles is advantageous and can provide a wider range of opportunities, including travel to other job sites across the country.
Experience with GPS systems such as Trimble and Topcon on dozers or other equipment.
Experience in commercial construction, civil construction, grading, earthwork, and earthmoving operations.
Experience operating CAT dozers (D3, D4, D5, D6, D8, D9, D10) or similar equipment.
Familiarity with finish grade work using blades, motor graders, and finish dozers.
Ability to communicate clearly on site; bilingual capability is considered an advantage for safety and coordination.
Comfort working in environments with a high degree of activity and multiple pieces of equipment operating simultaneously.
Why Work Here?
You will join a team that rewards hard work with competitive compensation and substantial overtime opportunities, often offering 15 to 20 or more hours of overtime per week. A weekly per diem supports travel, allowing you to maximize earnings while working on the road. You will gain exposure to large, complex projects across the country, building a strong portfolio of experience and expanding your technical skills. The organization emphasizes safety, professionalism, and long-term career growth, providing a structured environment where you can develop advanced GPS and grading capabilities and take on greater responsibilities over time.
Work Environment:
This position is based on civil construction sites located on open farmland in and around Lebanon, IN, with opportunities to travel to additional sites across the country. You will work outdoors in all types of weather, including hot and humid summers with frequent thunderstorms and winters that may bring cold rain, freezing rain, snow, wind, and extreme cold temperatures. The site operates under strict OSHA safety standards, with detailed safety protocols and regular safety communication. The environment is busy and dynamic, with multiple machines and crews working simultaneously, requiring constant communication and strong awareness of surroundings. Professional appearance and conduct are expected at all times in accordance with the sites code of conduct. You will use a wide range of heavy equipment, including dozers, excavators, scrapers, rollers, loaders, utility tractors, skid steers, water trucks, motor graders, and GPS-enabled machines using systems such as Trimble and Topcon. Work hours can include substantial overtime, and you should be prepared for physically demanding tasks and extended time on site in a field construction setting.
Job Type & Location: This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Indianapolis, IN.
Pay and Benefits:
The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $36.00/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) Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Indianapolis, IN.Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 19, 2026.
