POSITION SUMMARY

The Environmental Services Heavy Equipment Operator safely operates and maintains heavy equipment used in environmental remediation, spill response, excavation, site restoration, reclamation, and related oil and gas field projects throughout the Permian Basin and southeastern New Mexico. This position performs work around active production facilities, pipelines, lease roads, remediation sites, and remote field locations while protecting employees, client property, utilities, and the environment.

The operator is responsible for completing assigned work to project specifications; conducting equipment inspections; recognizing changing site conditions; maintaining accurate daily documentation; and coordinating closely with supervisors, environmental personnel, spotters, truck drivers, and other crew members. Work must be performed in accordance with company procedures, client requirements, project plans, and applicable safety and environmental requirements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Equipment Operation and Field Work

• Safely operate excavators, dozers, wheel loaders, backhoes, skid steers, motor graders, compactors, and other assigned equipment within the operator’s demonstrated qualifications and authorization.
• Perform excavation, loading, backfilling, grading, contouring, compacting, land clearing, site preparation, and material placement in accordance with project plans and supervisor direction.
• Excavate, segregate, stockpile, load, and place impacted soil and other materials while preventing unnecessary disturbance, cross-contamination, or damage to surrounding property.
• Support environmental remediation and reclamation activities, including spill response, excavation of impacted areas, construction or maintenance of containment features, pad restoration, drainage control, erosion control, and final site stabilization.
• Construct and maintain access roads, work pads, ramps, berms, drainage features, and equipment staging areas as assigned.
• Operate safely near pipelines, flowlines, wellheads, electrical lines, underground utilities, production equipment, traffic, and other identified hazards using required spotters, exclusion zones, and safe-dig practices.
• Follow grade stakes, project drawings, field markings, GPS information, and verbal instructions to achieve required depths, elevations, slopes, and limits of disturbance.
• Load trucks efficiently and within safe capacity limits; coordinate equipment movement and material handling with drivers and ground personnel.
• Assist with mobilization, demobilization, equipment cleaning or decontamination, and site housekeeping.
• Perform manual labor and support other crew activities when equipment operation is not required.

Equipment Inspection and Care

• Complete documented pre-use and post-use inspections and promptly report defects, damage, leaks, warning indicators, or unsafe operating conditions.
• Check fluid levels, tracks or tires, cutting edges, attachments, lights, alarms, mirrors, cameras, guards, fire extinguishers, and other safety devices before operation.
• Perform routine operator-level maintenance such as fueling, lubrication, cleaning, and minor adjustments within training and authorization.
• Maintain equipment, tools, attachments, and assigned vehicles in a clean, orderly, and serviceable condition.
• Immediately remove unsafe equipment from service and follow company procedures for repair notification and lockout or tagging when required.
• Operate equipment in a manner that minimizes excessive idle time, unnecessary wear, fuel consumption, spills, and environmental impact.

Safety and Environmental Compliance

• Comply with company safety policies, client requirements, job safety analyses, permits, traffic-control plans, excavation procedures, and applicable regulations.
• Participate in pre-job meetings, tailgate meetings, equipment walkarounds, hazard assessments, and stop-work discussions.
• Identify changing ground conditions, unstable slopes, overhead and underground hazards, soft spots, confined work areas, weather hazards, and other conditions that may affect safe operation.
• Maintain safe distances from personnel and equipment; establish clear communication with spotters and ground personnel before moving or swinging equipment.
• Use required personal protective equipment and comply with H2S, respiratory protection, hearing conservation, and other site-specific programs when applicable.
• Exercise stop-work authority and immediately report incidents, near misses, spills, property damage, equipment damage, and unsafe conditions.
• Prevent releases during fueling, servicing, and operation; use spill-prevention materials and respond to leaks or releases in accordance with site procedures.
• Support work performed to meet client requirements and applicable environmental requirements administered by agencies such as the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division and New Mexico Environment Department.

Communication and Documentation

• Communicate clearly with supervisors, environmental personnel, spotters, truck drivers, subcontractors, and client representatives regarding work progress and site conditions.
• Complete daily equipment inspection forms, field tickets, time records, production quantities, fuel records, maintenance reports, and other required documentation accurately and on time.
• Report changes in field conditions, scope, schedule, production, equipment availability, or access that may affect project completion.
• Protect confidential client and company information and represent Standard Safety & Supply professionally at all work locations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous experience operating heavy equipment in environmental services, oil and gas, civil construction, excavation, remediation, reclamation, or a comparable field environment.
• Demonstrated ability to safely operate one or more types of heavy equipment used by the department.
• Working knowledge of equipment limitations, load capacities, ground conditions, safe operating practices, and basic preventive maintenance.
• Ability to understand project instructions, safety procedures, equipment manuals, site maps, field markings, and basic plans or grade information.
• Ability to communicate effectively, work as part of a field crew, and follow written and verbal direction.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record consistent with company requirements.
• Ability to pass required pre-employment and ongoing drug and alcohol testing and meet client site-access requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two or more years of heavy equipment operating experience in oil and gas, environmental remediation, reclamation, or civil earthwork.
• Experience working around active oil and gas facilities, pipelines, utilities, contaminated soil, or spill-response operations.
• Current 40-hour HAZWOPER, H2S, First Aid and CPR, competent-person excavation, or related safety training.
• Commercial driver’s license or experience transporting equipment, when applicable to assigned duties.
• Experience using grade-control, GPS, or other machine-control technology.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Operate equipment smoothly and precisely while maintaining awareness of people, property, utilities, and changing site conditions.
• Recognize mechanical problems and unsafe conditions before they result in injury, damage, downtime, or environmental impact.
• Make sound field decisions within assigned authority and promptly escalate conditions requiring supervisor or project-manager review.
• Work productively with limited supervision while following project scope, schedule, safety, and quality expectations.
• Adapt to changing assignments, locations, weather, client priorities, and emergency-response needs.
• Maintain dependable attendance and report to work fit for duty and prepared for field conditions.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

This is a safety-sensitive, field-based position. Work is performed primarily outdoors at oil and gas locations, remediation sites, construction areas, and remote properties throughout the Permian Basin and southeastern New Mexico.

• Frequently climb into and out of equipment; sit for extended periods; use hand and foot controls; and tolerate vibration, noise, dust, fumes, and rough terrain.
• Stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, push, pull, and maintain balance on uneven or unstable surfaces.
• Lift and carry tools, parts, hoses, supplies, and other materials weighing up to approximately 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Work in heat, cold, wind, rain, blowing dust, and other weather conditions common to West Texas and southeastern New Mexico.
• Wear required personal protective equipment for the duration of the work assignment.
• Work extended shifts, overtime, nights, weekends, holidays, or on-call assignments when required by project or emergency-response needs.
• Travel to remote field locations and periodically stay overnight away from the employee’s home location.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position does not typically have direct supervisory responsibility. The operator may provide task guidance to less-experienced employees or serve as a spotter or competent crew member when trained and assigned.

DISCLAIMER

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions. Management may modify duties or assign additional responsibilities to meet business, client, safety, and operational needs. Employment remains subject to applicable company policies and requirements.

Standard Safety & Supply is an Equal Opportunity Employer.