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Entry-Level Skilled Careers

Entry-Level Skilled Career Opportunities

Do you have your commercial drivers license, a few years of driving experience, or previously work within construction? Many skills from the construction trade are valued by asphalt contractors who are eager to hire people with these entry-level skills. Once you’ve demonstrated your mastery you will quickly advance. Check out how the industry can be a building block in your career path.

Groundman

Description:

  • Perform pre-trip and post-trip inspection of vehicle to ensure safe operational order and report maintenance or repair issues.
  • Operate a skid steer to remove materials in close proximity to equipment and the public safely

Skills/Experience Needed:

  • 3 - 5 years or more of industry related experience with an emphasis on roads, highways, and bridges

Physical Requirements:

  • Stand, stoop, bend, and crouch for extended periods of time
  • Frequently work with hands extended overhead, sometimes in conjunction with the operation of hand power tools
  • Ability to lift and carry, on a frequent basis, at least 50-90 pounds personally, and up to 150 pounds with assistance
  • Frequently walk on uneven surfaces, including natural ground in varying weather conditions
  • Climb on and off heavy mobile equipment safely

Education Required:

High school diploma or GED

Salary:

According to Zip Recruiter, the average nationwide salary for a groundman is $35,618.*

Average Tenure Before Advancement:

6 months

Roller Operator

Description:

  • Perform pre-shift inspection on roller.
  • Reports any roller maintenance needs.
  • Operates the roller to provide a smooth surface
  • Assists the crew in paving operations
  • Adheres to all safety, compliance and environmental requirements
  • Communicates with QC staff

Skills/Experience Needed:

  • Manual Dexterity
  • Strong eye-hand coordination
  • Good sense of balance
  • Strong safety orientation
  • Excellent listening skills
  • Must understand roller patterns and importance of density

Physical Requirements:

Ability to:

  • Bend, kneel, squat, climb, stand, walk, sit, reach
  • Drive for long periods
  • Use fine motor skills and repetitive motion
  • Occasionally lift weights up to 50 pounds.
  • Work in adverse weather conditions.

Education Required:

High school diploma or GED equivalent (preferred)

Salary:

According to Zip Recruiter, the average nationwide salary for a roller operator is $44,119*

Average Tenure Before Advancement:

1 – 5 years

Scale Operator

Description:

Customer service focus

Learn plant operator functions including:

  • Operate computerized controls to produce quality asphalt mixtures according to specifications
  • Deliver specified mixture and quantities onto trucks
  • Ensure personnel safety including customers delivering/receiving materials
  • Monitor the operation and function of the plant throughout the workday
  • Assist with plant maintenance and routine servicing
  • Assist plant foreman with ordering supplies and materials

Skills/Experience Needed:

  • Ability to communicate with staff and public
  • General math and computer skills

Physical Requirements:

  • Moderate physical activity required
  • Occasional lifting of heavy material, especially when plant is under repair

Education Required:

High school diploma or GED

Salary:

According to Zip Recruiter, the average nationwide salary for an trainee/scale operator is $39,552.*

Average Tenure Before Advancement:

6 – 18 months

Screed Operator

Description:

  • Perform pre-shift inspection on screed.
  • Operate asphalt screed per plan and quality specifications
  • Desire to learn how to operate automated equipment,
  • Manipulate hand or foot levers to control movements of machine
  • Spread and level asphalt on subgrade
  • Ability to use automation and 3D grade control systems

Skills/Experience Needed:

  • Minimum 2 years experience as a screed operator
  • Ability to calculate yields, spread rates.
  • Communication skills are critical for this position.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to:

  • Bend, kneel, squat, climb, stand, walk, sit, reach
  • Drive for long periods
  • Use fine motor skills and repetitive motion
  • Occasionally lift weights up to 50 pounds.
  • Work in adverse weather conditions.

Education Required:

High school diploma or GED equivalent (preferred)

Salary:

According to Zip Recruiter, the average nationwide salary for a screed operator is $43,863*

Average Tenure Before Advancement:

1 – 5 years

Truck Driver

Description:

  • Maintain vehicles in a clean, organized, and safe manner
  • Complete pre- and post-trip inspections and reports to ensure DOT standards are met and report any maintenance needs
  • Load and unload materials
  • Follow dispatcher directions of daily tasks and meet expectations for each project

Skills/Experience Needed:

  • Two years of driving experience
  • Class A CDL
  • Clean driving record

Physical Requirements:

Ability to:

  • Bend, kneel, squat, climb, stand, walk, sit, reach
  • Drive for long periods
  • Use fine motor skills and repetitive motion
  • Occasionally lift weights up to 50 pounds.
  • Work in adverse weather conditions.

Education Required:

High school diploma or GED equivalent (preferred)

Salary:

According to Zip Recruiter, the average nationwide salary for an asphalt truck driver is $49,765.*

Average Tenure Before Advancement:

1 – 5 years

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