Heavy Equipment Operator

Job Title: Heavy Equipment Operator

Job Description

We are seeking a dependable and safety-conscious heavy equipment experience to support operations in Decatur, AL. In this role, you operate heavy machinery to grade and maintain the steel landfill area on-site, assist with related earthwork and material handling tasks, and contribute to safe and efficient facility operations. This position is primarily outdoors in a hot, dusty, and active manufacturing environment and requires strong attention to safety, reliability, and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Operate equipment to level and maintain landfill areas used for steel byproducts.
• Drive and maneuver heavy equipment safely across uneven and unpaved terrain within the facility.
• Perform routine inspections of grader and other assigned equipment to identify wear, damage, or safety concerns.
• Complete basic maintenance tasks on the grader, such as cleaning, lubrication, and minor adjustments, and report any mechanical issues promptly.
• Assist with earthworks and excavation activities, including grading, leveling, and shaping surfaces as directed by site supervisors.
• Support general labor tasks around the landfill and steel mill area, such as material handling, cleanup, and concrete or construction-related work as needed.
• Operate other heavy equipment, such as excavators, dozers, track hoes, skid steers, haul trucks, and dump trucks, when required and if qualified.
• Work closely with site supervisors and team members to ensure grading and earthwork meet operational and safety standards.
• Follow all facility rules, procedures, and safety protocols, including the consistent use of required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Maintain awareness of surroundings in an active manufacturing environment and respond appropriately to changing site conditions.
• Adhere to scheduled work hours and complete assigned tasks efficiently to support daily production and site maintenance goals.

Essential Skills

• Previous experience operating a grader or similar heavy equipment in an industrial, construction, or earthworks setting.
• Demonstrated ability to operate heavy equipment such as excavators, dozers, track hoes, skid steers, haul trucks, and dump trucks safely and effectively.
• Strong understanding of grading, earthworks, and equipment operation principles in outdoor and uneven terrain environments.
• Ability to work in hot, dusty, dirty, and physically demanding outdoor conditions for extended periods.
• Reliable transportation to and from the Decatur, AL work site.
• Consistent ability to work 40–50 hours per week, starting at 6:30 AM.
• Strong attention to safety, situational awareness, and adherence to PPE and safety protocols.
• Good communication skills to coordinate with site supervisors and team members.
• Ability to perform basic equipment inspections and minor maintenance tasks.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in a steel mill, landfill, construction site, or other heavy industrial environment.
• Familiarity with excavation, grading, and earthmoving operations.
• Comfort working around active manufacturing processes and heavy machinery.
• Ability to adapt to changing work assignments and operate different types of heavy equipment as needed.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Decatur, AL.

The pay range for this position is $21.50 - $21.50/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 Decatur,AL.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 17, 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.