Excavator Operator

Excavator Operator Job Description

Pay: Up to $30.00 per hour
Employment Status: Full-time, hourly
Reports To: Project Supervisor and Company Leadership
Location: Jobsites and reporting locations as assigned

Position Summary:
Our client is hiring a full-time Excavator Operator to perform electrical trenching and related underground work. This is a hands-on position responsible for safely operating equipment, digging trenches, laying and connecting conduit, protecting the installation, backfilling, compacting, and restoring the work area. The Excavator Operator works closely with electricians, supervisors, and other crew members to complete underground electrical work safely and correctly.

Job Duties:

• Safely operate excavators, mini excavators, skid steers, trenchers, compactors, loaders, and other assigned machinery and equipment.
• Dig and prepare trenches for underground electrical conduit according to approved plans, utility markings, jobsite layout, project requirements, and supervisor direction.
• Maintain the required trench route, depth, width, grade, clearances, and working area for the electrical installation.
• Recognize common underground electrical materials and components used in trench work.
• Lay, align, and support conduit in the trench as directed.
• Measure, cut, ream, clean, prime, and glue PVC conduit. Assemble sweeps, fittings, couplings, adapters, spacers, and other connections using the approved method.
• Keep conduit runs clean, properly aligned, and protected from dirt, water, crushing, movement, and damage.
• Cap or protect open conduit ends and help install pull string, warning tape, or other required items when directed.
• Coordinate with electricians and supervisors before changing the trench route, covering conduit, or beginning backfill.
• After required checks, approvals, or inspections are complete, backfill carefully, compact the soil, and restore the grade and surrounding work area.
• Follow active utility markings and approved excavation procedures. Stop work and notify the supervisor if an unmarked utility, obstruction, unsafe condition, or damaged line is found.
• Use a spotter when required and work carefully around buildings, vehicles, equipment, utilities, employees, and the public.
• Complete pre-operation and post-operation equipment inspections and report leaks, damage, defects, or repair needs right away.
• Perform routine equipment cleaning, fueling, and basic operator maintenance as assigned.
• Load, unload, move, and stage equipment, conduit, fittings, materials, and tools when authorized and trained to do so.
• Keep the work area, equipment, tools, and materials clean, organized, and secure.
• Complete required daily reports, equipment logs, time records, and job documentation accurately.
• Communicate clearly with the crew and assist with general labor or material handling when equipment is not being operated.
• Protect company property and complete other excavation, underground electrical, and sitework duties as assigned.

Trenching and Equipment Safety:

• Attend required job briefings and follow the site-specific safety plan, excavation plan, and supervisor instructions.
• Confirm that required utility locating and marking has been completed before excavation begins.
• Follow all trench and excavation safety rules and the direction of the designated competent person. Never enter or allow others to enter an unsafe trench or excavation.
• Use required personal protective equipment, seat belts, alarms, barricades, spotters, and other safety controls.
• Keep spoil piles, equipment, materials, and employees a safe distance from trench edges and watch for unstable soil, water, overhead hazards, and underground utilities.
• Stop work and report unsafe conditions, injuries, accidents, utility damage, near misses, or equipment problems immediately.

Qualifications

• Ability to safely operate excavators and other assigned machinery and equipment.
• Working knowledge of basic electrical trenching requirements, including trench depth, width, routing, clearances, conduit protection, backfill, and utility-marking procedures.
• Basic knowledge of underground electrical conduit, fittings, sweeps, spacers, warning tape, and related components.
• Previous excavator, trenching, underground utility, or electrical construction experience is preferred but not required. An electrical license is not required.
• Valid