Excavation and Grading Equipment Operator

If you are looking for…

…an innovative company, built on a foundation of teamwork, safety, and excellence, Ruston Paving is for you!

We are looking for…

…someone who is ready to work hard, be a team player, and show up each day with a positive attitude to motivate others! You don’t need to be the best. You just have to be willing and eager to learn from our skilled team!

Employee Benefits

Ruston Paving is 100% Employee-Owned through an ESOP! Come work for a company where your hard work truly pays off!

Our most important asset is our people! When you work for Ruston Paving, we are dedicated to giving you more than just a job. We want to ensure a career with well-rounded benefits for you and your family. With this, we proudly offer a variety of great benefits such as:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan!

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• Health Savings Account with Employer Contributions

• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match

• Double Time Saturdays

• Seasonal Return to Work Bonus

• Bonus Incentives and Allowances

• And many more!

On the go? You can text to apply!

Simply text OPERATOR52 to 315-918-PAVE (7283).

EXCAVATION AND GRADING EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

$2,000 SIGNING BONUS THROUGH AUGUST 2025*

Pay: $26.00 - $31.00 per hour

About the Company

Ruston Paving is a commercial and industrial paving construction contractor with offices in New York, Virginia, and North Carolina. Established in 1943, we are a family-oriented company that has been in business for three generations. Our company is capable of all types of asphalt paving projects ranging from minor repairs to larger projects incorporating asphalt reclamation and recycling, as well as new construction.

General Summary of the Position

Teamwork is a major part of every position at Ruston Paving, so it is important to note that, aside from all other listed responsibilities, you must be willing to assist others and be as productive as possible. The excavation and grading equipment operator safely operates a variety of motorized equipment used in the preparation, repair, reconstruction, and construction of site work and asphalt paving projects. The operator must perform a variety of skilled and semi-skilled tasks in accordance with the essential functions of the position.

Essential Functions

The following are a list of essential functions for the position. These are responsibilities that an individual must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodation.

1. Operates some or all of the following construction and power equipment: excavator, grader, bulldozer, backhoe, front end loader, skid steer, asphalt paver, dirt/asphalt roller, asphalt reclaimer, soil stabilizer, and asphalt milling machine.
2. Works with and assists the grading or paving crews to remove or install stone, dirt, asphalt pavement or storm water systems with or without the use of heavy equipment. Periodically, it may be necessary to assist ground personnel with the use of hand tools based on the project’s scope of work.
3. Occasionally operates jackhammers, saws, and other small equipment and tools as required.
4. Performs routine maintenance and emergency repairs, reports complex mechanical problems for shop repairs, and cleans equipment as needed.
5. Ensures heavy equipment is safely and securely stored.
6. Assists in the installation and maintenance of traffic control devices.
7. Performs all duties in conformance to appropriate safety and security standards as determined by law, jobsite requirements, and company policies.
8. Performs pre- and post-trip inspections of vehicles driven, equipment moved, and trailers towed, noting any defects or deficiencies both verbally and in writing.
9. Ensure that proper safety and incident reporting procedures are followed.
10. All other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Although you may not have experience operating every single piece of machinery listed in the essential functions of this position, do not be discouraged! Our skilled Management team and Foremen are eager to cross-train you and provide plenty of opportunities for certified training sessions so you can learn everything you need to know to have a safe and eventful working experience with Ruston Paving. Here are some things we are looking for in a good candidate:

1. Excitement and motivations for the workday ahead.
2. Professionalism and willingness to take direction and constructive criticism in the field.
3. Prioritizes the safety of every individual on the job site.
4. Expresses a genuine interest in the thoughts, opinions, and needs of coworkers and customers.
5. Knowledge of proper use of equipment, materials, and supplies used in construction work.
6. Knowledge of heavy site construction equipment operation, maintenance, capability, use, and function.
7. General knowledge of first aid and applicable safety precautions.
8. Ability to use equipment and tools properly and safely. Ruston Paving does not tolerate short cuts in safety.
9. Ability to work independently and complete daily activities according to work schedule.
10. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
11. Ability to understand, follow, and transmit written and oral instructions.
12. Ability to apply common sense understanding and to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form.
13. Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
14. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
15. Ability to meet attendance schedule with dependability and consistency.
16. Ability to deal with problems involving deviation from standardized and/or planned situations or procedures.
17. Ability to perform job requirements in adverse field conditions and all weather conditions.

Education and Experience

1. Any combination of education and work experience that demonstrates the knowledge and ability to perform the work as described.
2. Equipment operators must possess a minimum of 2 years of experience.
3. Site excavation and/or paving experience is required.
4. Valid and appropriate in-state driver’s license (or the ability to obtain said license) is preferred.

Additional Requirements and Benefits

1. Employee shifts start and end at the local division office/shop. Transportation to and from the job site is provided.
2. We pride ourselves on our clean appearance on every job site! Laundered uniforms and personal protective equipment are provided and must be worn in accordance with the company policy.
3. Although it does not occur very often, projects may require out of town overnight stays. Per diem pay is offered when these projects occur.
4. We provide double time pay for weekend work.
5. Employees may be sent to other facility locations and operations to perform duties as required.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

The safety of our employees is the most important focus every day! The following context is 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.)

1. Employees are regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Noise level is generally loud.
2. Employees are occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
3. Employees may occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 lbs.
4. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
5. Must be able to quickly move arms and legs.
6. Excellent stamina is required.
7. The equipment operator must work independently and is expected to maintain a schedule of work. Any problems or inconveniences may result in increased stress to complete tasks in a limited time.

Conditions of Employment

All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of a negative pre-employment drug screen and certain background checks which, unless prohibited by applicable law, may include criminal history checks, employment verification, education verification, DMV checks, and fingerprinting.

Disclaimers

This description is not meant to cover every aspect of the position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities are subject to change any time with or without notice.

Ruston Paving provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.

* Signing bonus, if offered, applies to direct applicants only; not available to candidates submitted by recruiters. Details, if applicable, will be in the offer letter.