Southern Lifting and Hoisting is seeking an experienced Crane Operator to safely execute lifting operations across industrial and oil & gas job sites. The Crane Operator directly impacts job completion, site safety, and customer delivery by ensuring lifts are performed accurately, efficiently, and without incident. Success in this role means consistent, safe execution, strong communication with field teams, and maintaining equipment readiness across a variety of job environments.
What You’ll Do
- Operate hydraulic cranes (up to 200 tons) across oil & gas, industrial, and taxi crane projects
- Execute lifts in accordance with load charts, lift plans, and site-specific requirements
- Perform daily crane inspections, identifying and addressing issues before operation
- Set up equipment properly, including leveling, outrigger placement, and site assessment
- Coordinate closely with riggers, drivers, supervisors, and customers during lift execution
- Maintain strict compliance with OSHA, DOT, and company safety standards
- Monitor environmental conditions (wind, ground conditions, load dynamics) and adjust operations accordingly
- Complete required documentation, including inspection logs, lift documentation, and safety checklists
- Identify potential risks or issues early and communicate proactively to prevent delays or incidents
- Maintain equipment cleanliness and operational readiness to support uptime
- Support overall job efficiency by minimizing delays and executing lifts safely and on schedule
- Represent Southern professionally on customer job sites
What You Need to Succeed
Required:
- NCCCO Certification (TLL) with 2+ years of crane operating experience up to 200 tons
- Ability to operate hydraulic cranes safely in field environments
- Strong understanding of load charts, crane setup, and safe lift practices
- Ability to work outdoors in varying conditions and perform physically demanding work
- Reliable transportation and ability to work within 3 hours of Kilgore, TX
- Ability to pass background check and drug screening
Preferred:
- CDL Class A
- Experience in oil & gas or industrial job site environments
- Rigging knowledge or prior rigging experience
A Day in the Life
Your day starts early, often before sunrise, reviewing the day’s lift schedule and job details. After arriving on site, you complete your pre-trip and daily crane inspection, checking critical systems and ensuring the equipment is ready for safe operation.
From there, you work alongside riggers and site personnel to set up the crane properly—positioning, leveling, and deploying outriggers based on ground conditions and lift requirements. Every job is different, but they all revolve around responding to customer needs and executing lifts with precision and efficiency.
Throughout the day, you’re actively monitoring load charts, wind conditions, and site variables, making real-time decisions to ensure every lift is completed safely. Communication is constant—hand signals, radios, and coordination with your team keep everything moving.
At the end of the day, you secure the equipment, complete any required documentation, and prepare for the next job. It’s hands-on work that requires focus, consistency, and a strong commitment to doing the job right every time.
Who Thrives Here
People who succeed at Southern tend to:
- Take ownership of their work
- Show up ready to perform
- Solve problems instead of waiting for direction
- Value safety over shortcuts
- Respect the team and the job
What You Get
- Competitive pay with consistent earning potential
- Weekly pay
- Medical, dental, and vision
- 401(k) with company match after 6 months
- Opportunity to grow with a rapidly expanding operation
About Southern
The Southern family of companies supports complex transportation, lifting, logistics, and fabrication needs across the United States. Together, our teams help move, lift, plan, and build the infrastructure that keeps critical industries running. From heavy haul transportation to crane operations, project logistics, freight brokerage, and fabrication, Southern offers employees the opportunity to build long-term careers inside a growing, vertically integrated organization known for safety, reliability, and operational excellence.
Southern Lifting and Hoisting is your go-to provider for lifting, hauling, and logistics. With a team of skilled operators and a wealth of industry experience, we pride ourselves on delivering innovative solutions that streamline operations across various sectors.
Southern 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, or veteran status.
All positions are subject to applicable background checks, drug and alcohol screening, and compliance with DOT and FMCSA regulations where required.
License/Certification:
Work Location: In person
