Vac Truck Operator

Whitaker Construction•Brigham City, UT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Vac Truck Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of vacuum excavation equipment to support a variety of civil, utility, and infrastructure projects. This role plays a critical part in exposing underground utilities, trenching, potholing, and site preparation while minimizing risk to existing infrastructure. The ideal candidate is safety-driven, mechanically inclined, and capable of working independently while maintaining strong communication with field leadership and crews. Whitaker Construction, founded in 1953, has over 70 years of experience in the heavy civil and underground utility construction industry. Whitaker, an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) company, has become one of the largest contractors in the intermountain area with more than 600 employees and nearly 70 crews. We perform sanitary sewer, storm drain, culinary water, irrigation, earthwork, roadway construction, dams, landfills, natural gas pipelines, industrial piping, and telecommunication projects primarily in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado, and Oregon.

Requirements

Valid driver’s license and current medical card required.
Ability to maintain company driving privileges.
Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot equipment issues.
Ability to read and understand utility markings and job site plans.
Strong communication and teamwork skills.
Commitment to safety, quality, and efficiency.

Nice To Haves

Class A or Class B CDL preferred (or willingness to obtain required).
Experience operating vac trucks, hydro excavation, or similar heavy equipment preferred.
Knowledge of underground utility locating and excavation practices preferred.
Familiarity with tablet-based reporting systems preferred.

Responsibilities

Safely operate vacuum excavation (vac) trucks and associated equipment for hydro or air excavation.
Perform daylighting, potholing, trenching, and debris removal in accordance with project requirements.
Locate and expose underground utilities while preventing damage to existing infrastructure.
Maintain constant awareness of job site conditions, ensuring safe operation around personnel, equipment, and utilities.
Coordinate with supervisors, foremen, and field crews to execute daily work tasks efficiently.
Assist crews with general labor duties when not actively operating equipment.
Inspect and maintain vac truck systems including hoses, tanks, pumps, and water systems.
Perform routine maintenance and basic troubleshooting of mechanical issues.
Conduct daily pre- and post-trip inspections and complete all DOT-required documentation.
Ensure proper disposal of materials in compliance with environmental regulations.
Maintain accurate logs of work performed, locations, and quantities using tablets or manual systems.
Follow all company safety policies, OSHA guidelines, and DOT regulations.
Participate in safety meetings, training, and company programs.
Maintain a clean and organized truck and work area.
Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisors.