Heavy Equipment Operator

We are seeking an experienced Heavy Equipment Operator to join our team in Unalaska, AK. The successful candidate will support both construction and environmental remediation projects, contributing to vital investigations and cleanup efforts during the 2025 field season. This role involves operating various heavy machinery safely and efficiently, ensuring that all tasks are performed in compliance with project specifications, safety standards, and environmental regulations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operate and maintain a variety of heavy construction and excavation equipment, including bulldozers, backhoes, excavators, skid steers, and loaders, for construction, demolition, and environmental remediation tasks.


• Assist with site preparation and excavation for environmental investigation and remediation projects, including soil and groundwater sampling, waste removal, and infrastructure demolition.


• Support the construction of temporary access roads, utility systems, and other infrastructure necessary for remediation and construction projects.


• Perform daily inspections of heavy equipment, ensuring that machinery is in good working order and identifying any mechanical issues for timely repair.


• Load, transport, and unload materials such as soil, gravel, sand, and construction debris while ensuring compliance with safety standards.


• Work closely with environmental engineers, project managers, and field teams to ensure that construction and environmental tasks are executed in compliance with project requirements, timelines, and regulations.


• Assist with environmental monitoring efforts by preparing and maintaining construction sites, ensuring all operations follow environmental best practices to minimize impact.


• Follow all safety protocols and guidelines, including the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and adherence to OSHA and local regulatory standards.


• Assist in refueling of heaving equipment daily.


• Provide additional project support as needed by the client

Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent.


• Ability to operate and troubleshoot a wide range of heavy machinery (excavators, skid steers, loaders, backhoes, etc.).


• Strong understanding of construction and environmental safety standards and practices.


• Experience working on remote job sites with diverse teams and under varying weather conditions.


• Ability to read and interpret project specifications and technical drawings.


• Excellent communication and team collaboration skills.


• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.


• HAZWOPER 40-hr training and fit test will be required prior to field work beginning.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification in heavy equipment operation (e.g., NCCER, OSHA, etc.).


• Experience working on environmental investigation and remediation projects, particularly those involving soil, sediment, or groundwater contamination.


• First Aid/CPR certification.


• Knowledge of Unalaska-specific environmental conditions and construction challenges.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in physically demanding conditions, including lifting heavy materials and operating machinery for extended periods.


• Capable of working outdoors in all weather conditions, including cold temperatures and rain.

Physical Demands:

Work inside and outside. Ability to bend, reach, lift and carry up to 40 lbs.  Can work effectively and safely in inclement weather to include high winds, rain, and snow. Most of the field work will occur between April – November. May require travel in helicopter, aircraft, ATVs, and watercraft for short periods of time.

EEO:

OC Environmental Services (OCE) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, OCE complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

OCE expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of OCE’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

OCE family of companies’ practices shareholder, shareholder spouse, descendant, and Native preference as allowed by public law.

OCE is an "At-Will" employer, as allowed by regulation.

Other duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Note: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.