Dredging Operator Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Heavy Equipment Operator Technician

Location: Roxoboro, North Carolina

28/hr - 30/hr + per diem 

Job Description

This position focuses on operating a long reach (long boom) excavator on large-scale ash basin closure projects, performing high-production excavation and material handling activities. You will play a key role in safely moving coal ash, soil, rock, and other materials in an active construction environment, supporting environmental remediation and heavy civil construction efforts.

Responsibilities

• Operate a long reach (long boom) excavator to excavate, load, and move coal ash, soil, rock, and other materials in a high-production environment.
• Load off-road haul trucks with ash and other materials for transport and disposal across the project site while meeting production targets.
• Perform mass earthmoving operations in support of ash basin closure, environmental remediation, landfill, mining, or dredging projects.
• Maintain precise grade control and perform fine grading and precision excavation as required by project specifications.
• Work safely around multiple pieces of heavy equipment and active haul routes in a busy construction environment.
• Conduct equipment inspections and perform basic preventative maintenance to ensure safe and reliable operation of the excavator.
• Operate in wet or unstable ground conditions while maintaining safety, quality, and environmental compliance standards.
• Follow all site safety procedures, environmental regulations, and project protocols related to ash handling and earthworks.
• Communicate effectively with site supervisors, truck drivers, and other equipment operators to coordinate production activities.
• Adapt to production-driven work environments, consistently meeting dirt-moving and excavation goals without compromising safety.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience operating long reach (long boom) excavators in heavy production settings.
• Strong experience in heavy equipment operation, including track hoe and excavator work.
• Hands-on experience with coal ash handling and material movement on large earthworks projects.
• Demonstrated ability to load off-road haul trucks efficiently and safely.
• Experience in ash basin closure, environmental remediation, landfill, mining, or dredging projects.
• Ability to perform mass earthmoving operations and maintain production targets.
• Proficiency in grade control and precision excavation, including fine grading.
• Experience working in heavy civil construction and large-scale earthworks environments.
• Ability to operate safely around other heavy equipment in active construction zones.
• Capability to work in wet or unstable ground conditions while maintaining control of equipment.
• Knowledge of equipment inspections and basic preventative maintenance practices.
• Comfort working in production-driven work environments with high volumes of excavation and material movement.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• High production environment experience on ash pond closures or similar large-scale earthmoving projects.
• Experience in environmental remediation projects involving coal ash or contaminated soils.
• Experience on landfills, mining operations, or dredging projects.
• Familiarity with earthworks, civil construction, and dirt moving operations.
• Ability to work safely and efficiently along active haul routes and around construction equipment.
• Strong awareness of safety, quality, and environmental compliance requirements on industrial sites.

Why Work Here?

You join a team that offers substantial overtime opportunities, with typical weeks ranging from 60 to 70 hours, providing the chance to significantly increase your earnings. The work is long-term in nature, giving you stability and job security due to ongoing coal ash cleanup mandates and sustained project demand. You benefit from consistent, production-focused work in a specialized field that supports environmental improvement and infrastructure resilience, helping you build valuable experience and a strong career path in heavy civil and remediation projects.

Work Environment

This role is based at active power plant sites, supporting ash basin closure projects in a high-production excavation and material handling setting. You primarily operate a long reach excavator to load off-road haul trucks with coal ash and other materials for transport throughout the site. The environment is a busy heavy civil construction area with multiple pieces of heavy equipment operating simultaneously, active haul routes, and large-scale earthworks. Ground conditions may be wet or unstable, requiring careful, controlled equipment operation. Work hours are typically extensive, with frequent overtime and 60–70-hour weeks common. You work outdoors in industrial conditions, following strict safety, quality, and environmental compliance standards, and wearing appropriate construction and industrial attire and personal protective equipment suitable for an active power plant and heavy equipment worksite.

This is a Contract position based out of Chesapeake, VA.

The pay range for this position is $28.00 - $30.00/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 Chesapeake,VA.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 1, 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.