Job Title: Excavation Manager

Department: D17 – Excavation

Reports To: Construction Manager – Field Operations

Status: Exempt, Full-Time

 About Us

We are a small, hands-on excavation and construction team based in Mosinee, Wisconsin. As a close-knit group, we combine our construction expertise with excavation projects, taking pride in both precise craftsmanship and respectful site exploration. Our team thrives on collaboration, adaptability, and a shared passion for meaningful, hands-on work.

Position Summary:

The Excavation Manager is a senior field and operational leadership role responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing all excavation and site-preparation activities across SC Swiderski’s single-family and multi-family residential construction portfolio. This role provides strategic oversight of excavation operations while maintaining a strong field presence to ensure safety, quality, schedule adherence, and cost control.

The Excavation Manager leads the Excavation Foreman, Heavy Equipment Operators, and excavation labor resources, and partners closely with Construction Managers, Site Superintendents, Project Managers, and Safety leadership. This position plays a critical role in aligning earthwork operations with SCS’s Mission, Vision, and Values of Quality, Trust, Integrity, Community, and Innovation.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership & Strategy (35%):

• Provide overall leadership, direction, and accountability for all excavation and earthwork operations across active projects.
• Provide bids to Project Management Team for Project Excavation Projects, Review bids from Excavation subcontractors when we use subcontractors for our projects.
• Develop and execute excavation schedules aligned with master construction schedules.
• Coordinate excavation sequencing with Construction Managers, Project Managers, and Site Superintendents.
• Standardize excavation best practices, workflows, and productivity benchmarks across projects.
• Proactively identify risks related to soil conditions, weather, utilities, or site access and implement mitigation strategies.

Field Execution & Technical Oversight (30%)

• Oversee grading, excavation, trenching, foundations, utilities, erosion control, and site development activities.
• Review and interpret civil plans, cut/fill plans, utility layouts, and grading specifications.
• Ensure excavation work meets engineering requirements, compaction standards, and quality expectations.
• Provide advanced technical guidance on complex excavation challenges.
• Support equipment utilization planning, logistics, and inter-site equipment sharing.
• Collaborate with the Safety Coordinator and Project Management team to ensure job site conditions align with OSHA, state, and local standards.
• Contribute to developing and refining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for field operations and quality control.

People Leadership, Training & Performance (20%)

• Mentor and develop the Excavation Foreman, and Heavy Equipment Operators I, II & III, to build a high-performing, self-sufficient field team.
• Directly manage the Excavation Foreman, and indirectly the Heavy Equipment Operators I–III and excavation laborers.
• Set performance expectations, provide coaching, and conduct performance evaluations.
• Develop training plans for operators, including safety, equipment proficiency, and leadership readiness.
• Support succession planning within the Excavation team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and professionalism.
• Represent the Construction Department’s interests in cross-functional collaboration with Design, Accounting, Procurement, Maintenance, and Property Management teams.
• Act as a visible champion for SCS’s mission—building not just structures, but communities.

Qualifications:

Education & Licensure:

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Construction, or related field preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive excavation and heavy equipment experience, including 5+ years in a supervisory or management capacity.
• Extensive experience in multi-family residential or large-scale residential site development.
• A Sewer & Water Plumbers license is helpful.
• CDL (Class A or B) with experience transporting heavy equipment is preferred
• OSHA 30 certification required (or ability to obtain within 180 days).

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Expert knowledge of excavation methods, earthmoving techniques, and site logistics.
• Advanced proficiency operating and supervising excavation equipment (excavators, dozers, loaders, skid steers, graders).
• Strong understanding of construction sequencing and integration with vertical construction.
• Experience with Trimble Earthworks or similar civil GPS geolocation software
• Ability to read and interpret civil drawings, blueprints, and specifications.
• Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and construction reporting tools.
• High level of adaptability, problem-solving ability, and operational judgment

Work Schedule:

40–55 hours per week, Monday–Friday, with occasional Saturdays as project needs dictate. Must be able to travel between job sites in Wisconsin. Must be available for regular in-state travel, with occasional overtime or overnight stays depending on job site location.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to climb ladders and work at various heights
• Comfortable working on multi-story buildings and active construction sites
• Tolerance for outdoor work in all seasons and weather conditions.

Special Requirements

• Regular travel is required (in-state and occasionally out-of-state as business expands)
• May require overnight stays near job sites depending on project location
• Must be able to manage multiple job sites and travel between them daily as needed
• Must be willing to work occasional evenings or weekends based on project deadlines or emergencies

Work Environment:

This position is based on active construction sites and involves exposure to a variety of weather conditions. The role may include working in dusty, noisy environments and navigating uneven terrain or incomplete structures. Candidate must be comfortable working on multi-story buildings and maintaining safety compliance in all conditions.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Benefits:

A competitive pay package, with company provided vehicle, an excellent benefits program, including health, dental, life, disability, 401(k), and paid time off (holidays & vacation), are offered to qualified candidates.

S.C. Swiderski (SCS), founded in Mosinee, Wisconsin in 1992 is a fully integrated real estate development company. SCS supports the development, design, construction, management, and maintenance of its portfolio. SCS values quality, trust, integrity, community, and innovation in its people and processes. SCS is committed to continuous growth and enhancing the housing industry by concentrating on providing solutions to housing needs.