Traveling Equipment Operator​/Ground Protection

Field Operator – Ground Protection (Heavy Travel)

Location:

St. Louis Metro Area & Surrounding Region (Open to candidates across the broader metroplex!)

CRITICAL REQUIREMENT:
Heavy & Flexible Travel

This is a high-travel role built for road warriors. If you love life on the move, this is for you!

• Travel Frequency:
  Expect constant travel across the lower 48 states.
• Flexibility:
  Must be ready to hit the road on short notice / at a moment's notice.
• Trip Duration:
  Typically away for 3–5 days at a time (occasional 2–3 week deployments during peak project demands, though less common).
• If you are unable or unwilling to travel extensively, this role will not be a good fit.

Why You'll Love Working On the Road

We know travel is a big commitment, so we make sure you are fully supported and rewarded:

• All Travel Covered:
  Hotels and accommodations are 100% company-paid.
• $50/Day Per Diem:
  Extra daily cash allowance in your pocket for meals while traveling.
• On-the-Clock Travel:
  You are paid for your travel hours —time spent getting to the jobsite is work time!
• Massive Overtime Opportunities:
  Working on field job sites almost always guarantees overtime pay, giving a huge boost to your overall earning potential.
• Top-Tier Benefits:
  Full medical, dental, vision, 4K/401(k) match, paid time off, and stability with an industry leader.

About the Role

Sunbelt Rentals is looking for a hands-on Equipment Operator / Field Associate to join our Ground Protection team. If you thrive in the outdoors, love operating heavy machinery, and want a dynamic role where no two days look the same, this is the position for you.

In this role, you won't just be standing around—you will be the driving force behind setting up heavy-access roads and event flooring systems. Your primary focus will be operating heavy equipment (like skid steers and forklifts) to efficiently load, unload, and lay down massive protective matting systems on major project sites nationwide.

What You'll Do (Day-to-Day Operations)

• Machine Operation:
  Safely and skillfully operate skid steers, wheel loaders, and forklifts to move, load, unload, and hopscotch heavy ground mats in the yard and out on job sites.
• Ground Support:
  Work closely with a tight-knit crew and a foreman to install and remove heavy-access roads, ensuring a safe and efficient setup.
• Site & Equipment Safety:
  Serve as a ground spotter during equipment loading, perform daily pre-operation maintenance checks on tools/machinery, and visually inspect returns for damage.
• Nationwide Field Freedom:
  Travel across the lower 48 states to various jobsites, adapting to different terrain and outdoor environments.

What It Takes to Succeed

• 100% Willingness to Travel:
  Ready for constant travel (lower 48 states), last-minute departures, and multi-day/multi-week stays on the road.
• Physical Grit:
  Capable of working outdoors in all weather conditions, bending, crouching, and lifting 50+ lbs regularly.
• Equipment
  
  Experience:
  
  Prior experience running skid steers, track loaders, forklifts, or similar heavy yard/construction equipment is highly preferred.
• Mechanical Aptitude:
  Strong hands-on experience or training with mechanical equipment, industrial machinery, or a solid background in manual labor/field services.
• Certifications:
  
  OSHA 10 strongly preferred.
• Basic Tech
  
  Skills:
  
  Comfort using basic MS Office (Outlook) to stay connected with the team.

Perks & Culture

At Sunbelt Rentals, safety is key to our culture, and we empower our field crew to do what it takes to make it happen for our customers. We offer stable hours, an inclusive workplace, paid travel, daily per diem, heavy OT opportunities, and the chance to work with the best fleet in the industry.

Sunbelt Rentals is an Equal Opportunity Employer — Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran and any other protected class.

Is This Role a Good Fit for You?

If you have experience in any of the following roles or possess these key skill sets, you might be a great candidate for our Field Operator / Ground Protection team:

• Related Job Titles & Roles:
  Heavy Equipment Operator, Skid Steer Operator, Forklift Driver, Track Loader Operator, Field Associate, Yard Loader, Construction Laborer, General Laborer, Rigging…