Excavation Operator Lead

Hoover Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is seeking an experienced Excavation Sewer & Drain Lead Operator to join our growing Sewer & Drain team.

This is a full-time, hands-on leadership position responsible for leading excavation crews on residential sewer and water service line installations, repairs, and replacements. The Lead Operator will be responsible for the excavation from start to finish, including safely digging holes and trenches up to approximately 15 feet deep, overseeing the crew and trench safety, completing the underground installation, backfilling and closing the excavation, and maintaining assigned equipment.

The ideal candidate will have strong heavy-equipment operating experience along with a background in underground utilities, sewer and drain, plumbing, excavation, construction, or similar work.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the      excavation/dig crew on residential sewer and water projects
• Perform excavation for sewer and      drain installations, repairs, and replacements
• Excavate residential water      service lines and underground piping
• Safely excavate holes and      trenches reaching depths of approximately 15 feet
• Operate excavators, loaders,      dozers, skid steers, and other heavy equipment
• Take responsibility for the      safety of the excavation site and crew throughout the project
• Ensure employees working inside      excavations are properly protected and all required trench safety      procedures are followed
• Properly use and oversee trench      boxes, shoring, and other required protective systems
• Monitor soil conditions,      excavation depth, surrounding utilities, and changing jobsite conditions
• Ensure safe entry and exit from      trenches and excavations
• Coordinate the dig crew and      assign responsibilities to keep projects moving safely and efficiently
• Work alongside crew members as      needed to complete underground sewer and water installations
• Assist with plumbing, underground      piping, and concrete work related to excavation projects
• Safely excavate around existing      utilities, foundations, structures, landscaping, and other obstacles
• Backfill and properly close the      excavation once underground work is completed
• Complete grading, compaction,      cleanup, and jobsite restoration
• Ensure the property and jobsite      are left clean, safe, and professional upon completion
• Perform daily inspections and      routine maintenance of assigned excavation equipment
• Maintain excavators, tractors,      loaders, and other equipment to ensure they remain safe and operational
• Identify equipment maintenance or      repair needs and communicate issues promptly
• Keep equipment, vehicles, tools,      and jobsites clean and organized
• Communicate professionally with      homeowners, team members, managers, and other trades
• Ensure work is completed      according to Hoover's safety, quality, and customer service standards

Equipment Operated

Experience operating heavy equipment is required, including:

• Excavators
• Loaders
• Skid steers
• Other excavation and underground      construction equipment

Qualifications

• Previous heavy-equipment      operating and excavation experience required
• Experience with sewer and drain      excavation, underground utilities, water service lines, or similar work      strongly preferred
• Experience leading or overseeing      an excavation/dig crew preferred
• Knowledge of trenching, trench      boxes, shoring, and excavation safety
• Comfortable working on excavation      projects reaching depths of approximately 15 feet
• Strong understanding of jobsite      and crew safety
• Construction, plumbing,      underground utility, or landscape construction background preferred
• Ability to safely work around      existing underground utilities and structures
• Strong mechanical aptitude and      ability to perform routine equipment maintenance
• Ability to lead a crew while also      working hands-on alongside team members
• Strong problem-solving and      decision-making skills
• Dependable, safety-focused, and      committed to quality workmanship
• Ability to perform physically      demanding work outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Valid driver's license with an      acceptable driving record

• Proven experience safely operating excavators, loaders, skid steers, and similar heavy equipment on excavation projects.
• Hands-on experience excavating and completing underground sewer, drain, water service line, or utility installations and repairs.
• Experience safely working with excavations up to approximately 15 feet deep, including knowledge of trench boxes, shoring, soil conditions, safe entry/exit, and excavation safety requirements.
• Ability to lead a dig/excavation crew from start to finish, including assigning work, overseeing jobsite safety, coordinating installation, backfilling/restoration, and ensuring the project is completed safely and correctly.