Underground Utility Contractor Jobs in Tennessee

Job Title: Traveling Excavator Operator

Job Description

This traveling Excavator Operator role focuses on underground utilities, with a strong emphasis on gravity sewer and mainline installation. You will operate heavy equipment to safely excavate deep trenches, install a variety of pipe systems and sanitary sewer structures, and restore work areas while strictly following safety standards. The position offers regular travel to different project sites, overtime opportunities, and covered hotel and per diem expenses.

Responsibilities

• Operate excavators and other heavy equipment to safely excavate trenches ranging from 5 to over 30 feet deep for underground utility and gravity sewer installations.
• Follow precise grade stakes, slopes, and layout requirements to ensure proper gravity flow and alignment of sewer and mainline systems.
• Handle, position, and set a wide range of pipe materials, including VCP, RCP, PVC, and ductile iron, in sizes from 2 inches to 144 inches in diameter.
• Install manholes and related sanitary sewer structures in accordance with project specifications and industry standards.
• Perform backfilling, compacting, and restoration of surfaces after pipe and structure installation to return work areas to a stable and finished condition.
• Apply underground utility construction practices for sewer systems and wastewater infrastructure in a safe and efficient manner.
• Use GPS technology and other guidance systems to maintain accurate grades, alignments, and depths during excavation and pipe installation.
• Adhere strictly to OSHA trenching, shoring, and excavation safety standards at all times on every job site.
• Demonstrate and apply “competent person” training in trenching and excavation by identifying hazards, implementing protective systems, and ensuring safe work conditions.
• Work effectively in a fast-paced construction environment, coordinating with crew members to meet project schedules and quality requirements.
• Travel regularly to different project locations in and around Knoxville as assigned, maintaining reliability and flexibility in scheduling.
• Conduct equipment inspections and basic maintenance checks to ensure safe and efficient operation of excavators and related heavy equipment.

Essential Skills

• At least 8 years of experience operating excavators in underground utilities, with a strong focus on gravity sewer and mainline installation.
• Proficiency in safely excavating trenches from 5 to over 30 feet deep while maintaining required grades and slopes for gravity flow.
• Demonstrated experience handling and installing VCP, RCP, PVC, and ductile iron pipe ranging from 2 inches to 144 inches in diameter.
• Hands-on experience installing manholes and related sanitary sewer structures.
• Experience in underground utility construction, including sewer systems, wastewater infrastructure, trenching, shoring, and pipe laying.
• Proven ability to operate heavy equipment and perform heavy equipment operation tasks in a construction environment.
• GPS experience for excavation, grading, and pipe installation alignment.
• Strict adherence to OSHA trenching, shoring, and excavation safety standards.
• Completion and practical application of “competent person” training for trenching and excavation safety.
• Ability to work safely and efficiently in a fast-paced, safety-conscious construction environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to multiple project sites in the Knoxville area.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working on complex gravity sewer and mainline projects in varied soil and site conditions.
• Familiarity with construction site coordination, including working alongside other trades and crews.
• Strong attention to detail when following grade stakes, slope requirements, and project specifications.
• Capability to perform basic equipment inspections and routine maintenance checks on excavators and heavy equipment.
• Comfort working with a variety of underground utility tools and equipment in the field.
• Reliability, strong work ethic, and a commitment to quality workmanship and safety.
• Flexibility to work overtime as needed based on project schedules.

Why Work Here?

You will join an organization with a strong track record of promoting from within, where field employees have advanced into leadership roles and continue to grow their careers. The company celebrates team achievements with annual events that bring field and office staff together and offers generous prize giveaways as a way to recognize hard work. Performance is rewarded with opportunities for pay increases, and employees can access benefits early through the contracting period, followed by comprehensive benefits, including retirement options, once hired on permanently. This environment values recognition, stability, and long-term career development.

Work Environment

The work environment is fast paced and safety conscious, with a strong emphasis on OSHA-compliant trenching, shoring, and excavation practices. You will work primarily outdoors on underground utility and sewer projects, operating excavators and other heavy equipment with the support of GPS technology and standard construction tools. The organization has been established since 1989 and is recognized as a respected and reliable provider in its industry. Travel is a regular part of the role, with projects located across the Knoxville area and the company headquartered in Knoxville, TN. The position offers overtime opportunities, and hotel and per diem costs are covered when traveling to project sites, supporting a consistent and professional field-based work setting.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Knoxville, TN.

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $40.00/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 Knoxville,TN.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 7, 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.