Volunteer Dirt Work Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Heavy Equipment Operator

Job Description

This role operates a variety of heavy construction equipment with a primary focus on excavators to support civil construction and earthwork activities. You safely and efficiently perform excavation, trenching, grading, and other dirt work while assisting with general labor tasks as needed to keep projects running smoothly.

Responsibilities

• Operate mechanized drillers, excavators, and other construction earth-moving equipment in a safe and efficient manner.
• Perform excavation and trenching for utility construction and other civil construction activities.
• Carry out fine grading and general grading to meet project specifications and site plans.
• Operate a range of heavy equipment, including dozers, backhoes, loaders, bulldozers, and haul trucks as required.
• Use GPS-guided equipment to perform precise digging, grading, and layout tasks.
• Support utility construction and dirt work by moving materials, preparing work areas, and maintaining proper site conditions.
• Assist with other labor duties as assigned, including basic site cleanup and material handling.
• Follow all safety protocols and procedures, with particular attention to working on large, long-term construction projects.
• Conduct basic pre-operation inspections of equipment and report any issues or maintenance needs.
• Work reliably and consistently, demonstrating strong motivation and commitment to project timelines.

Essential Skills

• 3–5 years of experience operating heavy equipment in construction environments.
• Proficiency in operating excavators as the primary piece of equipment.
• Hands-on experience with trench digging and excavation for utility construction and civil construction projects.
• Ability to perform fine grading and general grading using heavy equipment.
• Experience utilizing GPS systems in equipment for accurate excavation and grading.
• Skill in operating multiple types of heavy equipment, such as dozers, backhoes, loaders, bulldozers, and haul trucks.
• Strong understanding of safety protocols and willingness to follow all safety procedures on site.
• Reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license to consistently report to the job site.
• Demonstrated motivation to work and meet project demands.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in civil construction, utility construction, or large-scale dirt work projects.
• Experience working on long-term construction projects and hospital or commercial expansions.
• Ability to read and follow basic site plans and instructions related to excavation and grading.
• Comfort working as part of a team and assisting with general labor tasks when needed.
• Strong communication skills to coordinate with supervisors and crew members.
• Attention to detail when operating GPS-guided equipment and performing fine grading.

Why Work Here?

You join a long-term project with a stable, well-established construction operation that offers continuity of work and the opportunity to grow your skills on large, complex jobs. The organization provides full health benefits and values safety, reliability, and professional development, creating an environment where dedicated workers can build a lasting career.

Work Environment

This position supports a long-term project expected to run for 3 or more years, starting with a major hospital expansion. You work on an active construction site where safety is a top priority, and strict protocols must be followed at all times. The role involves operating heavy equipment outdoors in varying weather conditions and on uneven terrain, with typical construction hours that may include early mornings and extended days depending on project needs. You use GPS-enabled equipment and a range of heavy machinery such as excavators, dozers, backhoes, loaders, bulldozers, and haul trucks in a structured, safety-focused environment.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Albrightsville, PA.

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $29.00/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 Albrightsville,PA.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 14, 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.