Heavy equipment operator job description includes operating heavy equipment used in the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, airports, gas and oil pipelines, tunnels, buildings and other structures, and in surface mining and quarrying activities, and in material handling activities. They are employed by construction companies, pipelines, loggers, and heavy equipment contractors.
Heavy equipment refers to the group of machines or vehicles used for the purpose of construction, engineering or earth excavation. Due to its large size, heavy weight, and critical operating methods, the handling and operation of this equipment requires specialized skills. Trucks, bulldozers, cranes, snow blowers, excavators, compactors, etc. are some of this equipment to name a few. The responsibilities of a heavy equipment operator are performed by a skilled person who performs the job safely and meticulously. It is also responsible for periodically cleaning, maintaining and servicing the equipment to increase its life. Heavy equipment operators may work for construction companies, engineering firms, mining, or heavy utility enterprises.
Operating and maintaining all heavy equipment requires a lot of experience, training, and knowledge of machines and their parts. This operator must possess mechanical skills to perform his job in heavy and dangerous work environment. To become a heavy equipment operator one must have these skills and must be fully trained to perform the duties of the job. This article will also explain the heavy equipment operator’s job description and list of heavy equipment operator’s requirements and responsibilities.
Heavy equipment operator working conditions
The standard work week for heavy equipment operators is 40 hours (8 hours a day, 5 days a week). As with many jobs in construction, there are peak periods that require you to work overtime. The number of extra hours you work per week depends on the construction sector and the region you work in, and will vary from job to job.
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As a heavy equipment operator, you will work outdoors on construction sites. You will work closely with other equipment operators and ground crew. As with all jobs in construction, safety is the top priority. Heavy equipment operators are trained to work safely and take special precautions to protect against injury.
Heavy equipment operator Training and certification
Certification is required in Quebec, it is available but voluntary in Newfoundland, Labrador and the Northwest Territories. In the event that the certification is not available, it may be possible to study as a trainee through a local employment organization.
Even when certification is optional, it is still recommended, as it tells employers and other workers that you are a skilled professional and also helps you get jobs. To maintain their skills, heavy equipment operators must keep up to date with new technologies by reading and talking to others in the field.
Heavy equipment operator job description
The skills and qualifications part of a heavy equipment operator job description may be the shortest division, but it is no less important than the other departments. While the Job Responsibilities section defines the tasks that an employee may be responsible for accomplishing, the job specifications listed in this section recognize the education, skills, and other attributes needed to successfully accomplish these tasks.
A comprehensive list of heavy equipment operator job specifications can help simplify the entire hiring process by encouraging qualified applicants to apply and deterring those who do not meet the basic requirements. To develop a helpful list, it is important to distinguish between necessary attributes, such as a driver’s license and how to read site layouts, and those that may simply be useful, such as experience. You can consider creating two separate categories in this section to ensure a clear presentation of information and to prevent confusion.
Responsibilities and duties of a heavy equipment operator
- Comply with the operation and maintenance manual of the primary and secondary heavy equipment.
- Inspect heavy equipment and handle preventive maintenance daily.
- Follow site ranking and operations plans, read stakes scores and work in a mid-to-minute environment.
- Productive equipment running for twelve hours every day in all weather and ground conditions.
- Perform landfill operations tasks as directed by the supervisor or general manager.
- Operate heavy equipment safety and efficiently in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures.
- Determine the methods and need for project equipment with the on-site supervisor to purchase the equipment.
- Helping in self-development by accepting company training.
- Operation of heavy equipment such as maintenance, front loaders, bulldozers, bulldozers and bulldozers.
- Support operators in maintaining equipment and checking availability of equipment stocks.
- Use and maintenance of equipment and supplies.
- Encouraging safety in the workplace and improving environmental practices.
- Operating bulldozers, skid steer loaders, diggers and front loaders.
- Operation of vehicle accessories and mechanical equipment.
- Servicing trucks and heavy equipment, operating pick-up and light equipment.
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Heavy equipment operator qualification
The heavy equipment operator must possess a high school diploma as a minimum educational standard. Degrees or coursework from professional schools in construction equipment operation and maintenance add an additional advantage.
This job requires rigorous on-the-job training. Employers arrange training classes or apprenticeships. This helps them hone their skills and gain basic knowledge of specific equipment, operation, and technologies. Apprenticeships programs are also provided and sponsored by unions or associations. Some of the vocational training schools are ATS, the Equipment Manufacturing Association, and the National Heavy Equipment Training School Association.
Heavy equipment operators must have a driver’s license to operate the equipment. Few states in the United States have a special license provided to these professionals for specific equipment such as loaders, loaders, and bulldozers.
Heavy equipment operator job Salary
A heavy equipment operator may earn for every hour, or for a fixed monthly amount. Heavy equipment operators’ compensation increases with years of work experience. An experienced employee gets a higher salary than a junior employee. The average salary for such a professional ranges from $ 35,000 to $ 55,000 per year.
This includes the amount of the reward and the profit-sharing percentage. Junior employee salaries will be paid somewhere between $ 24,000 to $ 40,000 annually, while a seasoned employee will receive a salary of at least $ 35,000 and above annually. The salary depends on the location of the employer and the type of work the operator is involved in.
Heavy equipment operator job outlook
Heavy equipment operators have excellent job outlook. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment in this field will grow faster than the average for all occupations between 2016 and 2026, by about 12%. Pile operators should perform better. They should see job growth of around 15% over the same decade.
