Peak Utility Infrastructure is an integrated engineering and construction company that serves the Electric, Natural Gas, and Telecommunications industries. We provide a full suite of engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance services, including repair, replacement, maintenance, and installation of natural gas, telecommunications, and electric infrastructure through our operating subsidiaries: SiteWise, Kelly Cable, Riley Brothers, and Superior Pipeline Services.
Position Title: Hydro Excavator Operator II
Pay Rate: $30- $33 per hour DOE
Our Core Values: Guided by Safety. Focused on Communities. Powered by Care.
Classification: Non-Exempt
Essential Functions:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The Hydro Excavator Operator II is responsible for the successful completion of hydro excavation processes. The incumbent operates Hydrovac, and other machines used in construction to excavate, load, dig or break rocks or debris, dirt, or other materials. The Hydrovac Operator II acts as crew leader, responsible for the completion of projects in a safe and timely manner. The Hydro Excavator Operator II is responsible for operating heavy equipment in a safe and appropriate manner as required for daylighting utilities to new and existing residential homes, multifamily and commercial units. Heavy equipment may include light duty trucks, CDL support vehicle, trailer vacuum, medium vacuum truck, and large vacuum truck. Class A CDL w/ tanker endorsement required. The Hydro Excavator Operator II may be tasked with training functions due to experience in the job and leadership skills.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Lead hydro excavation operations on complex utility projects, ensuring safe exposure of underground infrastructure with minimal disruption.
- Train and mentor new crew members on hydro-vac equipment operation, job site safety, and utility location protocols.
- Interpret blueprints and utility locates to plan and execute precise excavation with zero damage incidents.
- Operate and maintain advanced hydro-vac systems, including troubleshooting equipment issues to minimize downtime.
- Collaborate with inspectors to coordinate dig plans and resolve site challenges in real time.
- Conduct thorough pre- and post-trip inspections, identifying and reporting mechanical issues per DOT requirements.
- Implement enhanced safety practices that contributed to a zero-incident record across multiple multi-day projects.
- Maintain detailed job documentation, including excavation logs, safety checklists, and daily production reports.
- Recognized for reliability and initiative; frequently requested by supervisors to lead priority or high-risk dig jobs.
- Operate hydro-excavation truck and equipment to safely expose underground utilities using high-pressure water and vacuum systems.
- Perform non-destructive digging, trenching, and potholing in accordance with local and OSHA safety regulations.
- Conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections on hydro-vac units, ensuring mechanical safety and operational readiness.
- Maintain accurate daily logs, work orders, and excavation documentation using digital and paper tracking systems.
- Collaborate with site supervisors, foreman, utility locators, and crew to execute jobs safely and efficiently.
- Respond to emergency utility repair calls, often working extended or irregular hours to meet service demands.
- Troubleshoot and resolve minor equipment issues on-site to minimize downtime.
- Support general labor and site cleanup duties when not actively operating equipment.
- Operates, maneuvers, navigates, or drives vehicles or mechanized equipment or passenger vehicles.
- Uses either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes.
- Inspect equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Uses relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards and communicates abnormal working conditions to appropriate parties.
- Provides mid-level laborer functions including hand digging with a shovel, setting up traffic control, entry level equipment operations, loading materials, etc. on various safety sensitive utility construction sites.
- Proficient with utility print and map reading.
- Has performed at least 18 months of independent operating of various Hydrovac equipment and knows all safety regulations with basic operating skills.
- Exposes underground utilities manually.
- Cleans, Grease, checks fluid levels and conducts a visual inspection of equipment to ensure equipment is performing at optimum safety and the required paperwork.
- Working alongside with another team member taking hand signals to safely excavate a site.
- Follows 811 digging laws and company’s safe digging practices.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Success Factors:
- Ability to perform heavy manual labor for extended periods, often under adverse climatic conditions.
- Ability to lift up to 80 lbs. multiple times during a work shift.
- Ability to climb, dig, work in tight spaces, on uneven surfaces, walking, stooping, and kneeling.
- Ability to understand and follow specific oral and written instructions.
- Ability to work well independently and as a part of a team with co-workers.
- Ability to pass motor vehicle, criminal background check, and comply with drug-free workplace policy.
- English usage sufficient to keep records, place orders, and prepare simple narrative reports.
- Willingness and ability to learn additional skills.
Experience and Education:
- Class A CDL Required w/ tanker endorsement required.
- Eighteen (18+) plus months of experience in Hydrovac equipment operation is required.
- Eighteen (18+) plus months of experience digging and working around underground utilities is required.
- Experience reading basic prints and Underground Facility Location Sketch is preferred.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-to-year basis.
Additional Requirements/Licenses/Certifications:
- Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid State of Residence Driver’s License is required within two weeks of employment.
- Candidates must pass criminal and Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) background checks and pass a pre-employment drug screen.
Notes:
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
