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Freelance Bush Hog Operator Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Performs duties of Truck Driver/Equipment Operator including operating various heavy equipment ... Clears brush and cuts trees using chain saw, brush cutter, bush hog, and chipper. Periodically ...

Highway Worker

Lebanon, IN · On-site

$48K - $60K/yr

... bush hog, weed trimmer, pruner, rake, and brush chipper Delivers equipment to work sites and ... Ensures all equipment is safe to use prior to operating. Operates all equipment in a safe manner.

Highway Worker

Lebanon, IN · On-site

$48K - $60K/yr

... for operating various trucks and heavy equipment to maintain County roads and rights-of-way ... bush hog, weed trimmer, pruner, rake, and brush chipper. Delivers equipment to work sites and ...

Freelance Bush Hog Operator information

What is a freelance bush hog operator?

Freelance bush hog operators are independent professionals who specialize in operating bush hogs, which are heavy-duty rotary mowers used to clear overgrown land, brush, and fields. They are typically hired on a per-job or contract basis by property owners, farmers, or businesses needing land cleared or maintained. These operators often provide their own equipment and set their own rates, offering flexibility and expertise for various land management projects.

What are the biggest challenges freelance bush hog operators face when transitioning between job sites?

Freelance Bush Hog Operators often encounter challenges such as adapting to different terrain types, assessing new land for obstacles or hazards, and understanding each client's specific requirements. Each site may have unique conditions like uneven ground, debris, or tight spaces, requiring the operator to adjust their approach and equipment settings accordingly. Effective communication with clients and landowners is essential to clarify expectations and ensure safety before starting work.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance bush hog operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Bush Hog Operator, you need expertise in operating agricultural machinery, knowledge of land clearing techniques, and a valid driver’s license. Familiarity with bush hog equipment, basic mechanical repair skills, and safety certifications such as OSHA are typically required. Strong communication, reliability, and attention to detail help you build client trust and deliver quality work. These skills ensure safe, efficient land maintenance and high customer satisfaction in a competitive market.

What is the difference between Freelance Bush Hog Operator vs Farm Equipment Operator?

AspectFreelance Bush Hog OperatorFarm Equipment Operator
CredentialsMay require specific equipment operation certificationsOften requires CDL or farm machinery licenses
Work EnvironmentOutdoor, on various rural or agricultural sitesFarm fields, large agricultural operations
Employer/IndustryIndependent, contracted work in agriculture or land clearingFarm owners, agricultural companies
Work ScopeSpecialized in bush hogging and land clearingOperating various farm machinery for planting, harvesting, or land management

Freelance Bush Hog Operators focus on land clearing and bush hogging tasks, often working independently across different sites. Farm Equipment Operators typically work within farms or agricultural companies, operating a range of machinery for crop production. While both roles involve outdoor work and machinery operation, the Freelance Bush Hog Operator specializes in land clearing, whereas the Farm Equipment Operator handles broader farm machinery tasks.

What are the most commonly searched types of Bush Hog Operator jobs in Indiana?

The most popular types of Bush Hog Operator jobs in Indiana are:

Infographic showing various Freelance Bush Hog Operator job openings in Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

District Foreman

Steuben County

Angola, IN

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

COUNTY OF STEUBEN, INDIANA

POSITION:                           District Foreman

DEPARTMENT:                  Highway

WORK SCHEDULE:          7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., M-F

JOB CATEGORY:              LTC (Labor, Trades and Crafts)

 STATUS: Full-Time

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily. The requirements listed in the document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The County of Steuben provides reasonable accommodation to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job, unless those accommodations would present undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as District Foreman for the Steuben County Highway Department, responsible for supervising, directing work crews and operating various heavy trucks and equipment and maintenance of County roads, bridges and rights-of-way.

DUTIES:

Oversees all aspects of preparation of the daily assigned district operations. Supervises and directs assigned personnel, including providing corrective instruction.

Performs duties of Truck Driver/Equipment Operator including operating various heavy equipment, trucks, and power tools in clearing and maintaining County roads, sewers, ditches and rights-of-way, such as grader, Gradall, paver, compaction roller, front-end loader, dump truck, crusher, chipper, water rat, mower, chain saw, air hammer and concrete saw.

Assists sign technician in maintaining sign inventory, including identifying replacement and repair needs.

Installs, repairs and cleans drainage pipes, tiles, bridges, headers and guard rails using various equipment and tools, including concrete tools, drill, hammer, power saw and wrenches.

Operates trucks to pull trailers, remove snow, haul and apply various materials, such as stone, asphalt, dirt, salt and sand.

Shovels sand, salt, hot, and cold mix from trucks in clearing snow and ice and repairing roads, including shovels and rakes aggregates and other materials from trucks for pipes and other road work.

Clears brush and cuts trees using chain saw, brush cutter, bush hog, and chipper.

Periodically assists Mechanic and/or performs various maintenance functions, including checking/adding to fluid levels and greasing equipment, changing blades on front plows and underbelly scrapers, recording in logs as required, cleaning equipment and shop area, painting, and working in back-lot. Occasionally assists with flagging/traffic control as needed.

Serves on 24-hour call for emergency situations as assigned. Four Corner Foreman responsibilities may be assigned as designated by Superintendent, which may include being on-call for one week to respond to road situations requiring Department assistance.

Performs related duties as assigned.

I. SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

High school diploma or HSE.  

Ability to meet all hiring and retention requirements, including passage of a drug/alcohol test and possession of up to date medical card.

Ability to meet all Department hiring and retention requirements, including not posing a direct threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Working knowledge of and ability to make practical application of Department safety policies and procedures, including OSHA guidelines and safety precautions practices.

Working knowledge of and ability to make practical application of Department safety policies and procedures, and ability to properly operate a variety of heavy equipment, trucks, hand and power tools, including Gradall, grader, paver, compaction roller, front-end loader, backhoe, tractor, bush hog, shovel, dump truck, snow plow, chain and power saws, hammers, drills, post hole digger, post driver.

Ability to physically perform assigned duties, including driving and/or sitting for long periods, close vision, hearing, standing/walking for long periods, lifting/carrying objects weighing more than 50 pounds, pushing/pulling objects, reaching, bending, grasping and fingering objects.

Ability to supervise assigned personnel, work alone and with others in a team environment with minimum supervision.

Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of Department information and records according to State requirements.

Shall comply with all employer and Department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written or oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form.

Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions and complete required paperwork.

Ability to read and interpret instruments, gauges, and dials.

Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.

Ability to occasionally work extended, weekend and/or evening hours, and occasionally travel out of town, and possibly overnight.

Ability to regularly serve on 24-hour call and respond swiftly, rationally and decisively to emergency situations.

Possession of a valid Commercial Driver's License with required endorsements and demonstrated safe driving record.

II. RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent works according to a daily work schedule with priorities determined by Superintendent. Incumbent refers to Superintendent with unusual or unprecedented situations, such as questions concerning right-of-way. Incumbent's work is reviewed through random checks at critical phases and upon completion of specific duties. Errors in work are usually prevented through standard safety procedures and are detected through supervisory review. Undetected errors may result in loss of property and/or endangerment to self or others.

Incumbent reports directly to Superintendent. 

  IV. PHYSICAL EFFORT:

Incumbent's duties involve continuous physical exertion, such as driving and/or sitting for long periods, close vision, hearing, standing/walking for long periods, lifting/carrying objects weighing over 50 pounds, pushing/pulling objects, reaching, bending, grasping, and fingering objects.

V. WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs a majority of duties in heavy equipment and outdoors and is frequently exposed to normal hazards associated with maintaining roads and rights-of-way, such as machinery, traffic, noise, grease, dirt, dust, vehicle fumes, extreme temperatures and inclement weather. In responding to emergency situations, incumbent may be exposed to such hazards as downed power lines and/or fallen trees. Safety precautions must be followed at all times to avoid injury to self and others.

Incumbent is occasionally required to work extended, evening and/or weekend hours, and regularly required to serve on 24-hour call for emergency situations.