Traveling Surface Miner and Heavy Equipment Operator

Employee Type: Regular

About the role

Operate Wirtgen Surface Miner and other heavy equipment at various locations throughout the U.S. This position primarily supports special projects requiring extensive travel to various job sites while operating Wirtgen Surface Miners and other heavy equipment. The role requires a highly adaptable individual who is flexible with changing schedules, travel requirements, and project timelines. When not operating the Wirtgen Surface Miner, the employee must be willing and able to perform additional equipment operation, production support, and other duties as assigned to support overall company operations. Successful candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to safety, teamwork, and operational excellence in a dynamic work environment.

Reports to: Business Development Specialist
Department: Western Operations

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy earth-moving equipment, specifically a Wirtgen Surface Miner, dozers, excavators (track hoes), backhoes, haul trucks, scrapers, other mobile mining equipment, and draglines.
• Perform all required pre-operational inspections and safety checks to ensure equipment is in safe working condition prior to operation.
• Complete proper equipment start-up, warm-up, shut-down, and securement procedures in accordance with company standards and manufacturer recommendations.
• Safely mount and dismount equipment while maintaining compliance with all safety policies and procedures.
• Continuously monitor material quality during the mining process, identify changes in ore or material seams, and adjust operations as necessary to achieve required quality specifications.
• Maintain a positive, team-oriented attitude while adapting to changes in production priorities and material quality requirements, and provide constructive feedback to supervisors and management.
• Coordinate daily activities with other equipment operators to ensure safe, efficient, and uninterrupted production.
• Monitor equipment instrumentation throughout operation and maintain all gauges and operating systems within acceptable operating ranges.
• Provide leadership within the assigned work area by establishing efficient mining cuts, minimizing production delays, maintaining effective communication with team members, and promoting a safe work environment.
• Perform all duties in compliance with Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) regulations, company safety policies and procedures, and all applicable federal, state, and environmental regulations.
• Maintain housekeeping standards, promptly report equipment deficiencies or unsafe conditions, and support North American Mining's commitment to safety, operational excellence, and environmental stewardship.
• Work with other equipment in a safe and organized manner.
• Assist in water management activities, reclamation, load/haul, and other related activities, as necessary.
• Perform miscellaneous work related to mining activities and operation of ancillary equipment. Some of these activities will occur outside the cab of the equipment.
• Perform maintenance on equipment as needed.
• Keep supervisor informed of any potential problems.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Two years’ experience operating Wirtgens, draglines, or heavy off-road construction equipment.
• Experience as a Wirtgen operator and/or Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) required.
• Clean Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including varying shifts, extended hours, weekends, and overtime as operational needs require.
• Willingness and ability to travel for extended periods of time as required to support company operations and project needs, possibly up to 100% of scheduled time.

Skills

• Demonstrate the ability to operate multiple types of heavy equipment.
• Possess a working knowledge of the mechanical operation and functions of heavy mobile equipment and draglines.
• Operate equipment safely and efficiently within established operating tolerances while performing routine preventative maintenance, inspections, and basic servicing as required.
• Demonstrate a willingness and aptitude to learn and effectively utilize GPS-guided equipment and other onboard technology systems.
• Respond effectively and appropriately to emergency situations and changing operational conditions while maintaining a safe work environment.
• Recognize unsafe or adverse working conditions and take appropriate corrective action to mitigate risks.
• Exhibit strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, and other departments.

Physical Demands

Intermittent:

• Occasionally (0 – 1/3 of workday): standing, work arms over head to reach controls, work bent over/stooping, work kneeling, work bent over/sitting, work squatting, work arms over head-supine, floor to waist lifting 0-100 lbs., waist to eye level lifting 0-100 lbs., bilateral carrying 0-50 lbs., unilateral carrying 0-50 lbs., pushing 0-20 lbs., pulling 0-100 lbs., must pull self-up ladder.
• Frequently (1/3 – 2/3 of workday): climbing stairs into and exiting equipment, walking – uneven, speaking, color vision.
• Continually (2/3 – 3/3 of workday): sitting, grasping, bent wrists, climbing a ladder, trunk rotation-sitting, vibration, alternating hand movements, head movement/rotation, hearing, seeing, depth perception.