Heavy Civil Foreman

Whitaker Construction, founded in 1953, has over 70 years of experience in the heavy civil and underground utility construction industry. Whitaker, an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) company, has become one of the largest contractors in the intermountain area with more than 600 employees and nearly 70 crews. We perform sanitary sewer, storm drain, culinary water, irrigation, earthwork, roadway construction, dams, landfills, natural gas pipelines, industrial piping, and telecommunication projects primarily in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado, and Oregon.

Job Summary: A Heavy Civil Foreman is responsible for the safe and productive layout, assembly, and installation of underground utilities and earthwork projects for the company. This position directly supervises a crew of 2-5 employees and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the company’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Including but not limited to the list below. 

• Prioritize and manage safety and quality expectations in the field.


• Supervise and lead a team of general laborers, equipment operators and sub-contractors. 


• Read and interpret plans to understand the layout, sequencing, and method of pipe installations.


• Ensure crew maintains a safe work environment that complies with OSHA/OQ standards and enforce the company safety policy.


• Responsible for the overall quality of the finished product.


• Inspect work in progress and completed work to ensure conformance to specifications and local codes.


• Responsible for adherence to established production rates and construction schedule.


• Studies project specifications with project superintendent to plan procedures for pipe installation.


• Operates assigned heavy equipment to excavate, install and backfill utility infrastructure projects.


• Knowledge and use of specialized instruments such as lasers, grade rods, and transit levels for verification of proper grade of pipe and structure installation.


• Pre-survey job location and make calls to utility companies to locate utilities (Blue Stakes).


• Conduct jobsite orientation. Lead, train, and mentor all employees.


• Properly follows all federal, state, and company environmental policies.


• Maintain all paperwork as directed including timesheets, safety reports, as-builts, and daily production reports.


• Secure work site at the end of each shift to ensure public safety and security of equipment and materials.


• Maintain professional attitude with owners, inspectors, public, and company personnel.


• Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned by supervisors.

Qualifications and Skills:

• High School Diploma or GED preferred. Any vocational training is strongly desired.


• Those with an education and/or work-related credential from a secondary or post-secondary educational system will be given preferred interview status (Precision Exams, NOCTE, etc.).


• A minimum of 3 years’ experience of managing the construction of large-scale civil engineering projects, typically involving infrastructure and heavy construction. 


• Must be efficient at operating heavy equipment (excavators, loaders, etc.).


• Must have a Class A CDL.


• Must have a valid Medical Card per Department of Transportation (DOT) standard.


• Must possess current Operator Qualifications for Dominion Energy as a condition of continued employment.


• A clean driving record is required.


• Strong knowledge regarding the operation, safety, and maintenance of equipment being used.


• Ability to read and understand plans, specifications, safety, and quality standards, and effectively utilize all tools and equipment relevant to the work.


• Ability to detect unsafe or hazardous conditions of equipment and work environment.


• Ability to direct work and evaluate strengths and weaknesses of co-workers.


• Knowledge of federal, state, and local codes.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Problem solving abilities.


• Possess a strong sense of personal responsibility.


• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.


• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to get to and from work.

Physical Requirements:

• Able and willing to work long hours including day, night, weekend shifts as needed, and work outside of normal hours.


• Able to walk, lift, reach, stoop, stand, grasp, balance, climb, kneel, crouch, and lift up to 50 pounds frequently.


• Ability to travel to project sites that are typically within a 2-hour radius of the home office.


• Able to work in outside environments being subjected to weather changes, noise, vibrations, and job hazards.

Whitaker Construction offers an exceptional benefit package including:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Employees earn shares in the company – All employees have ownership in the company and its success.


• Competitive wages


• Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Short Term Disability, Supplemental Insurance


• 401 K and Match


• Vacation


• Paid Holidays


• Paid Personal Days


• Quarterly Incentive Program (profit sharing)


• Referral Bonuses


• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The ADA defines “reasonable accommodation” as a change or adjustment to a job or work environment that allows a qualified individual with a disability to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of a particular job and does not cause an undue hardship for the employer.

Whitaker Construction is an “equal opportunity employer.” Whitaker will not discriminate and will take “affirmative action” measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex.

Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.