Friction Crane / Friction Yarder Operator

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General Summary

The Friction Yarder Operator is responsible for safely and efficiently operating a friction yarder within a sand and gravel mining operation. This role involves the movement and handling of materials, equipment, and overburden using cable yarding systems. The operator maintains and inspects equipment, adheres to safety standards, and works collaboratively with production teams to ensure optimal material extraction and site management.

Granite is a union signatory contractor and this position is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Essential Job Accountabilities

• Operate friction yarder equipment to transport sand, gravel, and overburden from extraction points to designated areas or processing facilities.

• Set up, adjust, and dismantle yarder systems, including rigging cables, blocks, and anchors as necessary for varied terrain and operational requirements.

• Perform routine inspections, preventative maintenance, and minor repairs on yarder equipment to ensure operational readiness and safety compliance.

• Monitor cable tension, yarder alignment, and load stability during operations to prevent equipment failure or unsafe conditions.

• Communicate effectively with ground crew and other operators using hand signals, radios, or other established methods to coordinate movements and ensure safe operations.

• Document daily activities, equipment usage, maintenance performed, and any incidents or near-misses according to company protocols.

• Comply with all company, state, and federal safety regulations and participate in ongoing safety training and drills.

• Assist with other site operations as needed, including equipment relocation, site clean-up, and material stockpiling.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical training or certifications in heavy equipment operation preferred.

Work Experience

• Minimum 2 years of experience operating friction yarders or similar cable logging/mining equipment in an industrial or mining environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong understanding of yarder mechanics, rigging, and safe operating procedures.

• Ability to read and interpret site maps, operational plans, and safety instructions.

• Physical ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and to lift, carry, or move heavy objects as required.

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team.

• Ability to work, day, swing, and night shifts (occasionally extended hours).

• Ability to work in safety sensitive setting, including exposure to moving machinery and heavy equipment.

• Ability to obtain an MSHA certificate as required for the job.

• Comply, understand, and support corporate safety initiatives to ensure a safe work environment.

• Ability and willingness to abide by Granite's Code of Conduct daily.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to stand, stoop, kneel, bend, crouch, and crawl for extended periods of time.

• Possess physical strength to operate heavy and power-driven equipment.

• Coordinate the use of eyes, hands, arms, and legs fully. Work easily and skillfully with hands.

• Vision - ability to see details at close range and details at a distance (either naturally or with correction).

• Ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of machines or vehicle to exact positions

• Ability to judge the distance between you and an object, depth perception

• Ability to respond to a signal when it appears, reaction time

THIS IS A SAFETY-SENSITIVE POSITION SUBJECT TO DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PRE-EMPLOYMENT AND RANDOM TESTING.

Our Benefits at a Glance:

Building tomorrow starts with you, and Granite knows that you can excel only if we support you in and out of the workplace. That is why we offer a broad benefits package that includes, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, flexible spending plans, as well as special programs for musculoskeletal health, mental wellness, and more.

Hourly employees may choose from two PPO medical plans through Anthem BlueCross, including our most popular plan, for which 100% of the premium is paid by Granite for eligible employees. Employees can also opt into a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

As part of our investment in your future outside of the workplace, Granite provides a 100% match on the first 6% of eligible compensation that salaried employees defer into their 401(k) plans, which vests immediately.

Projects with joint-venture agreements (JVs), benefits will be governed by those agreements. For positions covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBAs), the benefits will be governed by the applicable CBA.

Benefits may vary for positions located outside of the continental United States.

Base Hourly Wage Range :

Hourly: $61.93 $61.93

Pay may vary based on relevant experience, skills, location, and education among other factors. Collective Bargaining Agreements will govern as applicable.

About Granite Construction Incorporated

Granite Construction Incorporated is a member of the S&P 400 Index and is the parent company of Granite Construction Company, one of the nation's largest heavy civil contractors and construction materials producers. Granite is a Drug-Free Workplace and Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws.

For additional information on applicant/employee rights please click here.

Notice to Staffing Agencies

Granite Construction, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Granite") will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to Granite, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Granite mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Granite employees, or to Granite's resume database will be considered Granite property. Granite will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Granite will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. Agencies must obtain advance written approval from Granite's recruiting function to submit resumes, and then only in conjunction with a valid fully-executed contract for service and in response to a specific job opening. Granite will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have such agreement in place. Agency agreements will only be valid if in writing and signed by Granite's Human Resources Representative or his/ her designee. No other Granite employee is authorized to bind Granite to any agreement regarding the placement of candidates by Agencies.