This write-up will surely break some of your taboos about a Heavy Equipment Operator. Primarily, the operators’ job is not limited to handling heavy tipping truck and secondly the domain is not gender biased i.e. it offers employment to both men and women. Willing to work as a Heavy Equipment Operator? All you need is the ability to operate heavy and large machinery, work in a team, have excellent communication skill, and acceptance towards feedback and suggestions. If you posses all these, a successful career as heavy equipment operator is waiting ahead.

As a Heavy Equipment Operator, you are required to operate, maintain, as well as adjust heavy and huge machinery that is widely used in construction industry and industries such as fishing, mining, logging, etc. The job also includes freight works, travel, and refusing collection routes, and travel. The other sub-parts of this job are collision repair technicians, mechanics, and repairers. The above-mentioned jobs require certification that is renewed in every five years.

The machines that are commonly operated by Heavy Equipment Operators are excavators, shovels, graders, bull dozers, loaders, heavy duty tippers, drilling machines, vibratory road rollers, cranes, compactors, motor graders, forklift trucks, asphalt pavers, skid steer loaders, pipe layers, compactors, pile drivers, and many more.

The junior operators work encompasses operating small equipment such as monitoring equipment and small rubber tire loaders. There experience as a junior operator will help you to handle heavier machines easily. Regular training and promotion can aid you to reach on the senior positions like safety officer, trainer, foreman, superintendent, and officer.

There are number of schools that have come up with educational courses to make your career as a heavy equipment operator. These courses comprise basics of analytical and diagnostic techniques as well as in-depth understanding of electronics’ principle. Some of the reputed educational institutions also provide strong practical training.

Apart from educational qualifications, you also need possession of a CDL commonly known as commercial driver's license. Your previous experience as a heavy duty machinery driver also counts here. The Heavy Equipment Operator job has wide opportunities both at entry to higher level positions although the entry level positions or apprentice has nominal salary that grows as you go higher.