Earthwork Finish Grade Operator-Foreman
Position Type: Full-Time
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 6:45 am - 5:00 pm daily. Some Saturdays.
Hours: Approx. 48+ hours weekly
Position Summary
Vallencourt Inc. is seeking an experienced Earthwork Finish Grade Operator-Foreman with a minimum of 10 years of finish grading experience to lead and perform precision grading operations on earthwork construction projects. The ideal candidate is highly skilled, dependable, and safety-focused, with the ability to confidently operate modern grading equipment while providing hands-on leadership to the grading crew.
This position requires a strong commitment to precision, quality, and meeting project specifications, as well as the ability to interpret plans and elevations and coordinate daily grading activities with superintendents, project managers, surveyors, and other site personnel to keep operations safe, productive, and on schedule.
Responsibilities
- Operate finish-grade equipment to establish precise grades, slopes, elevations, drainage features, and final site contours in accordance with plans, specifications, and survey information.
- Lead and direct grading operations and crew activities to ensure work is completed accurately, safely, and efficiently.
- Read and interpret civil construction site plans, grading plans, specifications, stakes, GPS machine-control information, and grade-control data.
- Perform fine grading for roads, building pads, parking lots, drainage structures, utilities, and other civil construction applications.
- Monitor grades and elevations throughout the work and make necessary adjustments to maintain required tolerances.
- Coordinate daily grading activities with the Superintendent, Project Manager, survey crew, pipe/utility crews, laborers, and other equipment operators.
- Assist with planning the sequence of grading operations and determine the most efficient methods for completing assigned work.
- Conduct daily inspections of equipment and promptly report mechanical issues, maintenance needs, or unsafe conditions.
- Maintain a clean and organized work area and ensure equipment is operated and maintained in accordance with company policies and manufacturer recommendations.
- Enforce and demonstrate safe work practices, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), site awareness, and compliance with company and site/project-specific safety requirements.
- Monitor crew productivity and communicate job progress, production concerns, material needs, and potential delays to the Superintendent or Project Manager.
- Work collaboratively with surveyors to verify elevations, grades, and project layout.
- Train, mentor, and provide direction, support and feedback to less-experienced operators and crew members.
- Assist with general site work and other construction activities as needed to support project completion.
- Perform other duties as assigned by management.
Experience Required
- Minimum of 10 years of experience as a Finish Grade Operator.
- Proven experience operating finish-grade equipment on civil construction projects.
- Demonstrated ability to perform precision grading and maintain required grades and elevations.
- Previous experience in a foreman or lead-operator capacity preferred.
- Experience working with GPS/machine-control grading systems strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to read and understand construction plans, specifications, grades, slopes, and elevations.
- Experience working around heavy equipment, utilities, underground infrastructure, and active construction sites.
- Valid driver's license and ability to meet company and project-specific driving requirements.
- Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, surveyors, operators, laborers, subcontractors, and other project personnel.
Environmental Exposures
This position requires working primarily outdoors in an active civil construction environment. The employee may be exposed to:
- Extreme heat, cold, humidity, rain, wind, and other changing weather conditions.
- Dust, dirt, mud, and airborne particles.
- Loud equipment and construction-related noise.
- Vibration from heavy equipment and machinery.
- Moving vehicles, heavy equipment, and construction machinery.
- Uneven, rough, muddy, or unstable terrain.
- Fuel, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, concrete, asphalt, and other construction-related materials.
- Traffic and other hazards associated with active roadway and civil construction projects.
- Working near excavations, trenches, embankments, slopes, and other site hazards.
Appropriate PPE and safety procedures are required based on job-site conditions and company policy.
Physical Demands
The Finish Grade Operator-Foreman must be able to:
- Sit for extended periods while operating heavy equipment.
- Enter and exit heavy equipment safely, including climbing steps, ladders, and equipment access points.
- Stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach as required on an active construction site.
- Occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull materials and equipment weighing up to approximately 50 pounds.
- Use hands and arms for operating controls, tools, and equipment.
- Maintain sufficient visual and auditory awareness to safely operate equipment and monitor surrounding personnel and activities.
- Work extended hours, overtime, weekends, or varying schedules when required by project demands.
- Safely perform duties in outdoor conditions for extended periods.
Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Expert-level finish grading and equipment-operation skills.
- Strong understanding of civil construction practices, grading methods, slopes, drainage, elevations, and site development.
- Ability to accurately interpret plans, specifications, survey information, grade stakes, and digital machine-control displays.
- Proficiency with GPS and machine-control systems used for finish grading.
- Strong leadership skills and the ability to direct a crew in a professional and productive manner.
- Ability to make sound decisions in the field and identify potential grading, production, or safety issues before they become problems.
- Excellent attention to detail and commitment to precision.
- Ability to communicate professionally, clearly and effectively with supervisors, coworkers, surveyors, and subcontractors.
- Strong understanding of construction-site safety practices.
- Ability to troubleshoot basic equipment and grading-related problems.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and work efficiently with minimal supervision.
- Dependable, punctual, safety-conscious, and committed to quality workmanship.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team while taking ownership of assigned responsibilities.
- Willingness to assist with other construction activities when necessary to meet project goals.
Pay: $40.00 - $50.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have at least 5 years of supervisory/management experience?
- Do you have a minimum of 8-10 years of FINISH GRADE OPERATING experience?
License/Certification:
- driver's license (Required)
Work Location: In person
