EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - Austin Industrial (Charleston, TN)

About Austin Industrial

Austin Industrial provides premier self-perform maintenance, construction, and soft craft service to leading industrial companies across the U.S. An industry leader for more than 60 years, we offer single-source solutions to our customers in the oil, gas, chemical, food, agriculture, power, and manufacturing industries.

To learn more about us, visit https://www.austin-ind.com/what-we-do/industrial.

Equipment Operator

Position Summary

Austin Industrial is seeking a skilled and safety-focused Equipment Operator to join our team in Charleston, South Carolina. The Equipment Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of multiple types of heavy earthmoving and construction equipment in support of industrial, civil, and site development projects. This position requires experience operating a variety of equipment used for excavation, grading, material handling, and earthmoving activities while maintaining productivity, quality, and safety standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Safely operate various types of heavy equipment, including but not limited to:
• Excavators
• Dozers
• Wheel loaders
• Motor graders
• Backhoes
• Skid steers
• Compactors/Rollers
• Articulated haul trucks
• Water trucks
• Perform excavation, grading, trenching, backfilling, land clearing, and material placement activities.
• Read and interpret grade stakes, site plans, utility markers, and project specifications.
• Conduct daily pre-shift inspections and complete equipment inspection reports.
• Monitor equipment performance and promptly report maintenance or repair needs.
• Ensure proper equipment startup, operation, fueling, and shutdown procedures are followed.
• Work safely around underground utilities, structures, personnel, and other operating equipment.
• Perform minor preventative maintenance such as checking fluid levels, greasing components, and cleaning equipment.
• Assist labor crews with site preparation and construction activities as needed.
• Maintain accurate production and equipment records when required.
• Follow all Austin Industrial safety policies, OSHA regulations, site-specific requirements, and environmental guidelines.
• Participate in safety meetings, toolbox talks, and training programs.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of experience operating multiple types of heavy earthmoving equipment.
• Demonstrated proficiency operating excavators, dozers, loaders, and other heavy equipment.
• Ability to read and understand construction plans, grades, and site layouts.
• Knowledge of safe excavation and trenching practices.
• Ability to identify equipment issues and perform basic preventive maintenance.
• Strong commitment to workplace safety.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

• NCCER Heavy Equipment Operator certification.
• Experience working on industrial construction projects, refineries, chemical plants, power generation facilities, or large civil construction projects.
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification.
• Experience with GPS machine control systems and grade control technology.
• Commercial Driver's License (CDL) preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, climb, bend, stoop, kneel, and stand for extended periods.
• Ability to frequently enter and exit heavy equipment.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, humidity, rain, and cold temperatures.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, steel-toed boots, and hearing protection.

Work Environment

• Industrial construction and heavy civil construction job sites.
• Exposure to moving machinery, dust, noise, vibration, and changing weather conditions.
• Overtime, weekend work, and shift work may be required based on project demands.

Physical, Mental & Environmental Requirements

• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
• Employees must be able to sit, stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, and use hands and fingers to perform assigned duties. Positions may require lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling up to 50 pounds, working at elevations, on uneven surfaces, or in confined spaces. Employees must possess sufficient visual, hearing, communication, and motor skills to safely perform job responsibilities.
• Employees must be able to read, comprehend, and follow safety procedures, work instructions, and company policies; exercise sound judgment; solve problems; maintain attention to detail; effectively manage stress; and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced work environment.
• Work may be performed in industrial and construction environments with exposure to weather conditions, temperature extremes, noise, dust, fumes, moving equipment, vibration, and other site-specific hazards. Employees must be able to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) and meet all customer, site, regulatory, medical, and fitness-for-duty requirements applicable to the position.
• Must be able to perform all job duties while maintaining a constant commitment to safety, quality, and productivity expectations.
• Austin Industrial is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• See the “Know Your Rights” poster available in English and Spanish.
• No Third-Party Inquiries Please
• This Company does not accept and will not consider unsolicited resumes or any other unsolicited candidate information submitted to the Company or any of its employee-owners by staffing agencies, search firms, or third-party recruiters in response to a posted vacancy. The Company will not pay any placement fee(s) without a written agreement to do so (e., payment must be required pursuant to the terms of a written agreement).
• Any unsolicited resumes or candidate information submitted to this Company or any of its employee-owners becomes the property of the Company.
• Accessibility Note
• If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs or have accessibility concerns, please contact the People Services Teamat (877) 831-1217.