Heavy Equipment Operator

Aerotek is hiring a Heavy Equipment Operator

$25-$30 depending on expereince

WEEKLY PAY | 45-50 Hours

Job Description

This role involves supporting a multi-site power line construction project by safely handling and positioning crane mats to enable the movement of skid steers, drilling rigs, and other heavy equipment through woodland and wetlands terrain. You work full-time Monday through Friday, primarily between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. with a half-hour lunch, and typically finish between late morning and early afternoon on Fridays. The position is field-based, physically demanding, and focused on safe, efficient operations in outdoor environments.

Responsibilities

• Set, move, and align large Spartan crane mats (approximately 15 feet long and 8 feet wide) to support skid steers, drilling equipment, and other heavy machinery.
• Work across multiple locations along a five-mile power line construction corridor, setting mats at each site, moving to subsequent sites, and later returning to remove and reposition mats as the project progresses.
• Ensure crane mats are correctly positioned, lock mats together with pins, unlock pins when mats need to be moved, and adjust mat placement to maintain safe heavy equipment access through woodland areas.
• Maintain stable equipment pathways in wetlands areas by properly placing mats to prevent machinery from getting stuck or bogged down.
• Lift, carry, and handle buckets of pins weighing up to 50 pounds as part of the mat locking and unlocking process.
• Rake ground and soil after mats are moved, and apply grass seed and hay to restore disturbed areas and support site reclamation.
• Act as a spotter for heavy equipment operators, maintaining clear visibility and situational awareness to help guide equipment movement safely.
• Direct and communicate with equipment operators to coordinate mat placement, equipment routes, and safe operations in challenging terrain.
• Perform general job site cleanup, removing debris and ensuring work areas remain orderly and safe.
• Adhere to construction site safety practices and protocols at all times, especially when working around active heavy equipment.
• Maintain reliable attendance and consistent performance throughout the project, including travel to various work sites.

Essential Skills

• Previous experience working on construction sites, with familiarity with typical site operations and safety practices.
• Experience working around heavy equipment, ideally including skid steers, with the ability to describe the types of equipment used, the nature of past projects, and timelines of that experience.
• Strong safety awareness and adherence to safety protocols on active construction sites.
• Ability to work outdoors in a wetlands environment and remain productive through rain and other weather conditions.
• Capability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, including buckets of pins and other materials.
• Comfort working on your feet for the entire workday in variable terrain and conditions.
• Willingness and ability to travel to work sites in New York, West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania as needed.
• Reliable attendance and consistent performance in a field-based, project-driven environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Prior experience supporting power line construction or similar large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Hands-on experience with crane mats or ground protection systems in wetlands or soft ground conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly with equipment operators and crew members in fast-paced field environments.
• Experience performing general labor tasks such as raking, seeding, and site cleanup on construction projects.
• Comfort working in woodland and wetlands areas, including uneven ground and changing site conditions.

Why Work Here?

You join a project-focused field team that values reliability, safety, and strong work ethic while supporting essential infrastructure in multiple states. Travel to different work sites offers variety in your day-to-day work, and lodging is provided along with a daily per diem to support you while you are away from home. The environment emphasizes teamwork, clear communication, and safety, giving you the opportunity to build your experience in heavy equipment support and construction while working in a consistent full-time schedule with limited weekend requirements.

Work Environment

Work takes place outdoors in wetlands and woodland areas along a five-mile power line construction corridor. You spend most of the day on your feet, moving across uneven terrain and working directly around active heavy equipment such as skid steers and drilling rigs. Operations continue through rain and other weather conditions, so you should expect exposure to the elements and plan appropriate outdoor work attire and gear. The role involves physically demanding tasks including lifting up to 50 pounds, handling large crane mats, and performing ground restoration activities such as raking and seeding. Travel is required to multiple work sites across New York, West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, with hotel accommodations provided during assignments.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Washington, PA.

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $28.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Washington,PA.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 5, 2026.

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.