Position Summary
Diversco Construction Company is hiring experienced Heavy Equipment Operators to support our underground utility, road construction, and site work projects across greater Grand Rapids and West Michigan. Operators are the production engine of our crews — running excavators, dozers, wheel loaders, compactors, and other heavy equipment on sanitary sewer, storm sewer, watermain, and road construction/reconstruction projects.
This is a full-time, hourly position with daily travel to active job sites. Work is performed primarily in urban and tight-access environments, often within active rights-of-way, where productivity, precision, and professionalism all matter.
Work Location & Schedule
- Reports to: Daily travel to active job sites
- Service area: Greater Grand Rapids and West Michigan
- Schedule: 10-hour days, Monday through Friday, with occasional Saturday work as job demands require
- Overnight travel is not anticipated
Responsibilities
Equipment Operation:
- Safely and productively operate excavators, dozers, wheel loaders, compactors, and other heavy equipment as assigned by the project foreman
- Excavate trenches for sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and watermain installations to plan depth, line, and grade
- Set and pull trench boxes and shoring; work productively with pipe layers and laborers in and around open excavations
- Grade, backfill, and compact in accordance with project specifications
- Load trucks efficiently and accurately for spoil hauling and material delivery
Site Awareness & Underground Utilities:
- Work safely and effectively in urban environments around existing utilities, traffic, pedestrians, and adjacent property
- Identify and respect MISS DIG locate markings; communicate immediately with the foreman if unmarked utilities are suspected or encountered
- Read and interpret plans, profile sheets, grade stakes, and laser/GPS grade information as provided
- Maintain awareness of trench depth, soil conditions, spoil placement, and proximity to the excavation edge at all times
Equipment Care & Daily Operation:
- Perform daily pre-operation walk-arounds and basic equipment checks (fluids, greasing, tracks/tires, attachments)
- Identify and report mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical issues promptly to the shop
- Keep assigned equipment clean, fueled, and ready for the next day
- Support the field service mechanic with information and access during repair calls
Compliance & Team Support:
- Follow all OSHA and Diversco safety protocols, including trench/excavation safety, confined space awareness, and traffic control procedures
- Wear required PPE at all times on the job site
- Communicate professionally with foremen, fellow crew members, customers, inspectors, and the public
- Support the broader operations team during weather days, slow periods, or as otherwise assigned
Required Qualifications:
- 5+ years of hands-on heavy equipment operating experience on underground utility, civil, or site work projects
- Proficient operation of hydraulic excavators (compact through full-size) and dozers
- Experience working in and around open trenches with trench boxes and shoring
- Working knowledge of MISS DIG and underground utility awareness
- Ability to read plans, grade stakes, and follow foreman direction in the field
- Confined space awareness and ability to work safely in and around excavations
- Comfortable working in urban environments with active traffic, pedestrians, and tight access
- Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record
- Authorized to work in the United States
- Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screen
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience operating wheel loaders, compactors (smooth drum and padfoot), and off-road dump trucks
- Experience operating motor scrapers - preferred
- Experience with GPS / machine control systems (Trimble, Topcon) for grading and dozer work
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification
- CPR / First Aid certification
- CDL Class A or B (or willingness to obtain)
- Prior experience with sanitary sewer, storm sewer, watermain, and road construction/reconstruction projects
- Site work experience — mass excavation, building pads, parking lots, and rough/finish grading
- Mechanical aptitude across mixed-make fleets (Caterpillar, Volvo, Komatsu, Hitachi, Hamm, and others)
- Ability to mentor laborers and pipe layers and work toward a foreman track over time
Why Diversco:
Diversco is a long-standing West Michigan construction company specializing in utility and site work for municipal, commercial, and private clients. Diversco is locally based and part of the Wolverine Building Group family of companies, providing the stability and resources of a larger organization while maintaining the close-knit culture of a focused civil contractor. Our operators are core to how we deliver — not an afterthought — and we expect, and reward, professionalism, accountability, and pride in the work. For the right candidate, this role offers a clear path toward lead operator and foreman opportunities over time.
How to Apply:
Interested applicants should click "apply". Qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview, which may include a practical skills assessment in the cab.
Diversco Construction Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristic.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Application Question(s):
- Do you have a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record?
- Are you able to pass a pre-employment drug screen?
- Are you able to work 10-hour days Monday through Friday, with occasional Saturday work?
- Do you have direct experience operating hydraulic excavators (compact through full-size) and dozers?
Work Location: In person
