Position Title: Dirt Foreman
FLSA status: Non-Exempt or Exempt
Department: Construction
Reports to: Superintendent
Salary Level: Commensurate upon experience
Location: Kansas
Position Summary:
A Dirt Foreman will directly supervise and coordinate daily activities of grading crew and will engage in the trade work of the employees being supervised. This is a hands-on role responsible for leading earthwork crews on heavy civil, site development, commercial, residential subdivision, or highway projects. This position oversees excavation, mass grading, fine grading, site preparation, compaction, and related dirt operations. The Foreman ensures work is completed safely, to specification, on schedule, and within budget while actively participating in field operations and operating heavy equipment as needed.
Key Responsibilities:
- Supervise, coordinate, and schedule daily activities of grading/earthwork crews (operators and laborers).
- Prioritize and delegate tasks while maintaining strong focus on jobsite safety and productivity.
- Read, interpret, and implement civil site plans, grading plans, cut/fill maps, blueprints, specifications, and survey grade stakes.
- Ensure accurate elevations, slopes, contours, and grades using lasers, levels, grade rods, or GPS machine control systems (Trimble, Topcon, etc.).
- Oversee excavation, mass earthwork, fine/finish grading, embankment, compaction, trenching, backfilling, and soil stabilization.
- Coordinate equipment, materials, trucking, and subcontractors as needed.
- Operate heavy equipment (dozers, excavators, loaders, motor graders, scrapers, etc.) when required and ensure proper equipment use, inspection, and basic maintenance.
- Track and record daily production, quantities, time, materials, equipment hours, and site conditions; complete daily reports and timesheets accurately.
- Communicate regularly with Superintendents, Project Managers, engineers, and other trades to resolve issues and keep work aligned with project goals.
- Conduct daily safety meetings/toolbox talks, Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), and enforce company and OSHA safety policies, including trench safety and PPE use.
- Monitor work quality to meet specifications; identify and correct deficiencies promptly.
- Train, mentor, and evaluate crew members; foster a culture of safety, quality, and teamwork.
- Maintain clean, organized work areas and promote good housekeeping.
- Assist with project planning, scheduling, material take-offs, and close-out activities as directed.
- Perform all other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or GED required; additional technical training or construction management coursework preferred.
- 2–5+ years of hands-on experience in heavy civil/earthwork/grading construction.
- Minimum 2–3 years of supervisory or foreman experience leading dirt/grading crews (preferred: 5+ years total relevant experience).
- Strong knowledge of site grading, excavation, soil compaction, drainage, erosion control, and related earthwork practices.
- Ability to read and interpret construction plans, grade stakes, and specifications accurately.
- Experience with GPS machine control systems preferred.
- Proven ability to operate heavy earthmoving equipment.
- Solid understanding of OSHA construction safety standards and ability to enforce them.
- Strong leadership, communication (verbal and written), organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Valid Kansas driver’s license.
- Willingness to work overtime, weekends, and travel to job sites as required.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus.
- Preferred certifications: OSHA 10 or 30, Competent Person (excavation), First Aid/CPR.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee is regularly required to sit, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and bend. The employee must regularly lift and/or move from 1 to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.
Work Environment:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions and is exposed to airborne particles. The employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
Why work for us:
Pearson is an ever-growing company founded on solid family values. We maintain an excellent relationship with local communities and strive to provide the best possible materials and services in our industry. To do that, we employ passionate and talented individuals who are dedicated, dependable, and ready to make a difference.
We Offer:
- Full Benefit Package available first of the month following 60 days of Employment
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Time Off/PTO Plan
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program
Applicants Are Encouraged to Apply On-line or at the Main Office:
https://pearsonconstructionllc.com/careers/employment-application/
If you have any questions regarding our current open positions, or the online application, please contact our HR Department at the address below.
To Apply in Person:
Pearson Companies | HR Office
2901 N. Mead St., Wichita, KS 67219
Monday – Friday | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
In compliance with Federal and State equal employment opportunity laws, qualified applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, no-job related disability, or any other protected group status.
An Equal Opportunity Employer/Minorities, Women and Veterans encouraged to apply.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
