Mass Grading Foreman

Position Summary  

This is a field-based, hands-on position in which successful candidates contribute to the construction of utility-scale solar projects. The Mass Grading Foreman is responsible for leading and coordinating all mass grading and earthwork operations while ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with project specifications. This role provides direct supervision to grading crews and heavy equipment operators, coordinates daily activities with Project Management, Survey, and QA/QC teams, and drives production while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and operational excellence. 

Activities/Responsibilities/Duties 

The Mass Grading Foreman can independently perform and oversee the following: 

• Mass excavation and cut/fill balancing 

• Bulk earthmoving operations 

• Site grading and earthwork operations 

• Subgrade preparation and proof rolling 

• Rough grading and fine grading 

• Finish grading to design tolerances 

• Soil stabilization and moisture conditioning 

• Aggregate placement and compaction 

• Road construction and maintenance 

• Temporary and permanent access road construction 

• Crane path construction and maintenance 

• Laydown yard preparation 

• Equipment pad construction 

• Inverter pad grading 

• Transformer pad grading 

• O&M building pad preparation 

• Building pad preparation and final grading 

• Stormwater management installation 

• Erosion and sediment control (SWPPP) implementation and maintenance 

• Drainage ditch construction 

• Culvert installation 

• Drainage structure installation 

• Utility crossing coordination 

• GPS machine control operation and verification 

• Survey coordination and grade verification 

• Daily grade staking coordination 

• Heavy equipment scheduling and coordination 

• Fleet utilization planning 

• Quantity tracking, quantity verification, and quantity claiming 

• Production reporting and forecasting 

• Daily production planning and crew scheduling 

 

• Civil punch list completion 

 

• Final grading and site restoration 

 

• Survey and As-Built documentation 

 

The Mass Grading Foreman must be able to train and mentor others on all aspects of grading operations, GPS machine control, production management, earthwork best practices, SWPPP compliance, quality standards, and heavy equipment utilization. 

 

Leadership Responsibilities 

 

• Lead multiple grading crews while promoting a culture of safety, accountability, productivity, and teamwork. 

 

• Supervise operators of dozers, graders, excavators, scrapers, haul trucks, compactors, water trucks, loaders, and other heavy equipment. 

 

• Coordinate daily operations with Project Management, Superintendents, Survey, QA/QC, subcontractors, and environmental personnel. 

 

• Ensure grading activities are completed according to project schedules, grading plans, specifications, and quality standards. 

 

• Review construction drawings, grading plans, and survey information to verify grades prior to beginning work. 

 

• Monitor production rates, cut/fill quantities, and equipment performance to maximize efficiency. 

 

• Conduct daily safety meetings, pre-task planning, Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), and toolbox talks. 

 

• Identify and proactively resolve field issues affecting schedule, production, safety, or quality. 

 

• Maintain accurate production reports, earthwork quantities, Tier Boards, quantity claims, and daily field documentation. 

 

• Coordinate manpower and equipment resources to meet production goals. 

 

• Ensure compliance with SWPPP, OSHA requirements, environmental regulations, and project quality standards. 

 

• Mentor Foremen, Lead Operators, and Equipment Operators to develop future field leaders. 

 

Skills/Abilities 

 

• Good driving record. 

 

• Proficient in Procore for project documentation, production reporting, drawings, RFIs, and field coordination. 

 

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Outlook, and Word. 

 

• Ability to read, interpret, and execute work from construction drawings, grading plans, specifications, and survey data. 

 

• Experience with quantity tracking, production reporting, quantity verification, and quantity claiming. 

 

• Strong understanding of mass earthwork operations, site logistics, grading production rates, and cut/fill balancing. 

 

• Advanced understanding of GPS machine control systems (Trimble, Topcon, Leica, or equivalent). 

 

• Advanced knowledge of grading plans, survey data, grade control, and earthwork calculations. 

 

• Strong understanding of heavy equipment operations, including:  

 

• Dozers 

 

• Motor Graders