Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) - Fort Stewart, GA

Colorado State University • Flemington, GA

5d • $55,000 - $67,000 • Onsite

About The Position

A Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) position is available at Fort Stewart, Georgia with Colorado State University (CSU) and the Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML). This position will support the Fish and Wildlife Branch with Endangered Species Management via Hardwood Midstory Control at Fort Stewart. The HEO will transport and operate heavy equipment such as forestry shredders, dump trucks, skid steers, bull dozers, excavators, motor graders, backhoes, agricultural tractors, utility trailers, heavy-duty trailers, and semi-trucks. Support will involve heavy equipment operation equipment maintenance, mowing/shredding midstory vegetation, mulching midstory hardwoods, and restoring native vegetation in the training lands. Additionally, this position may help maintain and enhance threatened and endangered species habitat through a variety of land management activities including, road maintenance, reforestation, wiregrass harvesting and planting support. Fort Stewart is a United States Army installation located near Hinesville, Georgia, approximately 40 miles southwest of Savannah. The 280,000-acre installation hosts a variety of diverse training habitats including forest and woodland ecosystems. The installation supports year-round military training from all branches of the armed services in a variety of realistic training scenarios. The full consideration date for this position is May 1st, 2026.

Requirements

• A High School Diploma, General Education Development (GED), or equivalent.
• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience operating heavy equipment in land management, restoration, rehabilitation, or another similar capacity.
• Experience operating forestry shredders, dump trucks, skid steers, bull dozers, excavators, motor graders, backhoes, agricultural tractors, utility trailers, heavy-duty trailers, and semi-trucks.
• Experience loading, securing, and transporting heavy equipment with a range of trailers on both paved and dirt roads.
• Experience performing operational, routine, and operator maintenance and inspections on all equipment to maintain operational readiness/safety and to keep machinery, equipment, and tools in good working condition.
• Experience using and maintaining chainsaws, handheld power tools, and manual tools.
• Experience in facilitating planting operations, land clearing, site preparations, soil stabilization, grading, and road maintenance.
• Ability to read and navigate using maps, GIS applications, aerial photographs, compasses, and GPS units.
• Proficient use of computers, spreadsheets, and email programs for documenting work completion, communication, task tracking and other administrative tasks.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must be able to comply with all applicable regulations to obtain a Department of Defense Common Access Card (CAC) and public trust clearance.
• Candidates are required at a minimum to complete a NACI/SF85 and successfully pass a federal background check.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license and meet CSU standards for driving throughout the course of employment.
• Must have a valid Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL), with no manual transmission restrictions, at the time of employment.
• Maintain valid CDL (Type A) throughout the course of employment.
• Must be able obtain and maintain Georgia Level 1A Erosion and Sedimentation Certification required for moving/disturbing soil.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid certification.
• The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. by proposed start date; CEMML will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Nice To Haves

• More than three (3) years’ experience operating heavy equipment in a land restoration, rehabilitation, management, or a similar capacity.
• Experience working on military lands.
• Experience collecting and planting native grass seeds.
• Pesticide/herbicide application experience and experience in invasive species management.

Responsibilities

• Heavy Equipment Operation – Habitat Restoration Operate and transport heavy equipment in support of habitat restoration projects at Fort Stewart, GA.
• Perform and document comprehensive pre-trip inspections on heavy equipment, dump trucks, pickup trucks and trailers including but not limited to formal operating systems and airbrake checks.
• Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety manuals for the operation of heavy equipment and power tools.
• Duties performed may include, but are not limited to, midstory hardwood thinning and vegetation management, land clearing, road maintenance, soil stabilization efforts, native grass seed collection and planting, and maintaining threatened and endangered species habitat.
• Identify job sites from GIS maps, aerial photographs, or verbal instructions to determine the route and transport equipment properly and safely.
• Heavy Equipment Maintenance and Repairs Perform routine maintenance and repairs on a variety of gasoline and diesel-powered heavy construction equipment such as forestry shredders, dump trucks, skid steers, bull dozers, excavators, motor graders, backhoes, agricultural tractors, utility trailers, heavy-duty trailers, and semi-trucks.
• Utilize hand and power tools associated with heavy equipment and vehicle maintenance such as air actuated equipment, hydraulic jacks/lifts, welders, grease guns, wrenches, and other tools common to equipment maintenance.
• Follow verbal and/or written instructions from supervisor and federal lead to complete both minor/major repairs in accordance with approved work orders or assignment objectives.
• Reporting Complete administrative tasks to include online training, time reporting, and task deliverables.
• Detail-oriented tracking of materials, equipment, progress, and labor for preparation of daily/weekly/monthly reports used to communicate to supervisor and onsite government representative.
• Use computers, spreadsheets, databases, and email programs for documenting work completion or communication.

Benefits

• Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service.
• With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
• Review our detailed benefits information here.
• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees