Electrical Equipment Operator

1) Purpose of Role

Operate equipment safely and efficiently to support electrical construction and industrial projects. Perform equipment inspections and routine maintenance, assist with electrical material handling, underground electrical installations, and site preparation. Work closely with electrical crews and field leadership to meet daily production goals while maintaining GTI safety and quality standards.

2) Scope & Decision Rights

Safely operate assigned equipment to support electrical construction activities, including trenching, excavation, conduit installation, backfilling, and material movement. Complete pre-use inspections, perform basic equipment maintenance, and coordinate with electrical crews to ensure safe and efficient operations.

3) Essential Duties and Standards

Owns:

- Operating assigned equipment (e.g., skid steer, mini excavator, excavator, backhoe, trencher, forklift, telehandler) safely and efficiently to support electrical construction activities.

- Performing pre-operation inspections and routine equipment care (cleaning, fueling, greasing); reporting damage, leaks, or mechanical issues immediately.

- Excavating trenches and preparing work areas for underground conduit, duct banks, grounding systems, and electrical infrastructure.

- Assisting with backfilling, grading, and compaction following electrical installations.

- Safely loading, unloading, transporting, and positioning electrical materials, conduit, equipment, and supplies.

- Maintaining safe distances from energized electrical equipment, overhead power lines, and underground utilities.

- Following excavation plans, utility markings, grade stakes, and instructions from electrical supervisors.

- Maintaining basic Procore inputs or providing information to the foreman for daily logs, photos, and equipment usage documentation as directed.

Supports:

- Electrical Superintendent and Foreman with equipment operations, material staging, trenching, and daily construction activities.

- Electricians and electrical crews with conduit installation, underground electrical infrastructure, and equipment positioning.

- Survey/layout teams with excavation alignment, elevations, and protection of existing utility markings.

- Safety team with Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), excavation safety, utility locating, trench protection, and equipment inspections.

- Other construction crews with site preparation, material handling, and maintaining safe access to work areas.

Recommends/Prepares:

- Equipment, attachments, and tooling needed to complete electrical construction activities safely and efficiently.

- Field observations regarding underground utilities, soil conditions, excavation obstacles, and potential conflicts with electrical installations.

- Suggestions to improve equipment utilization, material handling, excavation efficiency, and overall jobsite productivity.

Escalates:

- Equipment malfunctions, fluid leaks, mechanical failures, or unsafe operating conditions.

- Unmarked or conflicting underground utilities, overhead electrical hazards, or potential contact with energized equipment.

- Unsafe excavation conditions, trench instability, or conflicts with installation plans.

- Delays, equipment limitations, or site conditions that could affect electrical construction schedules.

4) Critical Competencies (must demonstrate)

Construction domain: Safe operation of assigned heavy equipment; pre-operation/post-operation inspections; preventive maintenance; trenching and excavation; underground utility awareness; electrical construction support; conduit and duct bank excavation; backfilling and compaction; basic blueprint reading; Job Safety Analysis (JSA); equipment spotting and traffic control.

Electrical safety awareness: Understanding of electrical jobsite hazards, safe equipment clearance requirements, underground utility locating, overhead power line hazards, and working around energized electrical systems.

Information governance: Basic Procore exposure for daily documentation; following foreman instructions regarding equipment logs, photos, quantities, and field reporting.

Productivity tools: Basic use of mobile field applications, two-way radios, hand-signal communication, laser levels, and equipment attachments.

Mindset: Safety-focused; strong communication; teamwork; adaptability; attention to detail; time management; problem-solving; willingness to assist electrical crews as needed.

5) Qualifications

- 6–18 months of experience operating construction equipment, preferably in electrical, industrial, commercial, or underground utility construction, or successful completion of internal training.

- Ability to safely operate assigned equipment such as skid steers, excavators, trenchers, forklifts, or telehandlers under appropriate supervision.

- Experience supporting trenching, excavation, conduit installation, backfilling, or underground utility work preferred.

- Basic understanding of electrical construction activities, underground utilities, and safe equipment clearance requirements.

- Ability to read and follow basic construction drawings, utility markings, grade stakes, and excavation instructions.

- Knowledge of equipment inspections, routine maintenance, fueling, and safe operating practices.

- Awareness of OSHA excavation, trenching, and electrical hazard requirements.

- OSHA 10 required or ability to obtain; OSHA 30, First Aid/CPR, NCCER Heavy Equipment Operator certification, and equipment-specific certifications a plus.

- Valid driver’s license.

- Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and meet the physical demands of construction work.

6) Performance Measure Buckets

- Safety: Completion of equipment inspections; compliance with electrical safety clearances, utility locating, excavation protection, and site safety procedures; incident and near-miss trends.

- Quality: Accurate excavation depths and alignments; proper trench preparation, backfilling, and compaction; minimal damage to existing utilities, conduit, or equipment.

- Productivity: Daily production plan attainment; efficient equipment utilization; timely excavation and material handling; minimal unnecessary downtime.

- Documentation & Teamwork: Accurate reporting of equipment conditions, work completed, and field concerns; effective communication with electrical crews and supervisors; proper equipment care and maintenance.