Civil Heavy Equipment Operator

Genpro Energy Solutions•Piedmont, SD

11h•$23 - $39•Onsite

About The Position

GenPro Energy Solutions is seeking an experienced Civil Heavy Equipment Operator to join our field construction team supporting utility-scale solar and battery energy storage (BESS) projects across the country. This role is central to site preparation, civil grading, and racking and pile foundation installation — safely and efficiently operating a wide range of equipment, including pile drivers, skid steers, excavators, backhoes, telehandlers, bulldozers, compactors, and trenchers, to keep projects moving on schedule and on budget. The ideal candidate is a hands-on, safety-first operator who takes pride in precision work, communicates well with crew members and supervisors, and thrives in a fast-paced, physically demanding field environment. This is a traveling position supporting projects nationwide, with extended stays away from home as project assignments require. Pay Grade: $23.27 – $39.02 per hour (based on experience) Prevailing Wages: Employees assigned to projects subject to prevailing wage requirements will be compensated in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local prevailing wage laws and regulations. Prevailing wage rates apply where required.

Requirements

Prior experience operating a variety of heavy equipment required, including excavators, backhoes, skid steers, telehandlers, bulldozers, compactors, trenchers, and pile-driving equipment.
Ability to read and interpret civil drawings, grading plans, plan-and-profile sheets, construction details, specifications, and survey staking.
High school diploma or equivalent required
Valid driver’s license with a safe, clean driving record required
Must be eligible for a U.S. passport; international travel may occasionally be required
Physically able to lift and move objects weighing 10–50 pounds regularly, and occasionally more than 100 pounds
Ability to stand and walk for long periods on uneven terrain
Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, climb, balance, lift, or stretch
Ability to climb on and off heavy equipment and up and down stairs and ladders safely
Repetitive use of arms, hands, and fingers
Ability to work safely at height and in confined or tight equipment spaces as needed
Eye, hand, and foot coordination: Able to coordinate hand and foot movements to precisely guide large machinery in tight or congested work areas.
Operation monitoring: Able to read gauges, dials, GPS, and machine-control systems, adjusting operation as necessary.
Mechanical aptitude: General understanding of equipment mechanics and routine maintenance needs, with the ability to identify developing issues before they become failures.
Interpersonal skills and teamwork: Able to coordinate actions with other operators, tradespeople, and supervisors on a busy, multi-crew construction site.
Troubleshooting: Able to detect and correct minor operating problems in the field.
Critical thinking: Able to weigh the strengths and weaknesses of possible solutions and choose the safest, most efficient, and most cost-effective approach.
Spatial awareness: Strong depth perception and awareness of surroundings, other equipment, and personnel at all times.
Excellent vision, or vision correctable with prescribed lenses.
Dependable, punctual, and safety-minded, with a high level of integrity and work ethic.

Nice To Haves

Experience in civil, utility-scale solar, renewable energy, or other large-scale site-development construction strongly preferred.
Experience using GPS machine-control systems and survey equipment, such as Trimble, Topcon, CAT Grade, GPS rovers, laser levels, or equivalent systems, preferred.
Experience checking elevations, slopes, drainage paths, and finished grades using GPS, grade stakes, laser levels, or other survey equipment.
Experience performing mass excavation, cut-and-fill operations, subgrade preparation, rough grading, and fine grading.
Experience constructing access roads, equipment pads, laydown areas, retention and detention basins, drainage ponds, swales, ditches, culverts, and other stormwater-management features.
Knowledge of soil conditions, moisture conditioning, lift thickness, compaction requirements, proof rolling, and preparation of stable subgrades.
Experience performing trenching, backfilling, utility crossings, and excavation around existing underground utilities.
Experience working on a self-perform civil crew in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Construction-equipment maintenance or heavy-equipment mechanic experience preferred, including daily inspections, preventive maintenance, and basic troubleshooting.
Experience coordinating equipment operations with surveyors, ground personnel, truck drivers, subcontractors, and other site crews.
Demonstrated ability to complete work safely, accurately, and efficiently while meeting production, quality, and schedule requirements.
CDL (Class A or B) preferred, but not required; candidates with a CDL must demonstrate a strong safety record
OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification preferred, or willingness to obtain within a specified timeframe

Responsibilities

Operate a variety of heavy equipment — including pile drivers, skid steers, backhoes, telehandlers, bulldozers, excavators, compactors, and trenchers — in compliance with GenPro’s safety policies and manufacturer guidelines
Perform daily pre-operational inspections and routine equipment checks, promptly reporting mechanical issues, damage, or needed repairs to the Supervisor
Install racking and pile foundations to engineered specifications, tolerances, and layout drawings
Excavate, grade, and compact soil to proper elevations and specifications in preparation for civil and electrical scope
Load, unload, and transport materials and equipment to and from vehicles and trailers
Assist tradespeople with assigned tasks and follow supervisor instructions to help implement construction plans
Move, secure, install, build, load, or unload material and equipment as directed
Perform physical duties including digging trenches, compacting dirt, and backfilling holes
Keep the job site, equipment, and materials clean, organized, and stored safely throughout construction
Collect and dispose of scrap, excess material, and refuse
Monitor daily workflow and productivity to help keep the crew on schedule
Understand and follow all job site safety procedures; attend and participate in all on-site safety training, toolbox talks, and Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs)
Perform routine preventative maintenance on assigned equipment
Complete required paperwork, equipment logs, and other documentation accurately and on time
Maintain flexibility with job and equipment assignments as project needs shift
Assist with all aspects of solar and BESS construction, not limited to equipment operation
Support and mentor less experienced operators and laborers as needed
Maintain a positive, team-first attitude and strong work ethic
Ensure the job site is clean and organized at the end of each shift
Wear all required personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times
Immediately report all accidents, injuries, or near-misses to the job Foreman or Supervisor
Willingly provide and follow direction from supervisors and project leadership
Other duties as assigned