Heavy Machine Operator Adjunct Instructor

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

Contract Length N/A

Class Summary

Deliver classroom and hands‑on instruction in the operation, maintenance, and safety of heavy equipment including (but not limited to) dozers, excavators, loaders, backhoes, skid steers, forklifts, and dump trucks.

Position Type

Position Type Adjunct

Employment Status

Employment Status Part Time

Position Funding

Position Funding Regular

• Journeyman‑level or equivalent experience in heavy equipment operation
• Minimum 3‑5 years of recent, relevant industry experience operating multiple types of heavy equipment.
• High school diploma or equivalent; associate’s degree or higher preferred.
• Valid driver’s license; CDL Class A preferred or required for some positions.

• Previous teaching or supervisory experience
• Computer literacy and ability to use instructional technology
• Experience with equipment maintenance and minor repairs
• Maintain training equipment and ensure it is safe and operational; report or perform minor repairs as needed
• Coordinate and manage classroom/lab activities, ensuring a clean and organized learning environment.
• Stay current with industry trends, equipment technology, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to develop and implement lesson plans, instructional materials, and assessments in accordance with industry standards.
• Demonstrate and supervise the proper use of equipment, emphasizing safety procedures, PPE, and OSHA regulations.
• Participate in curriculum development, program improvement, and professional development activities.

Instructor is responsible for teaching and training students in the safe and effective operation of heavy equipment such as bulldozers, excavators, loaders, backhoes, and related machinery. The instructor develops and delivers curriculum, ensures compliance with safety standards, and prepares students for industry certifications and employment.

• National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO)
• Specialized Equipment Certifications
• Technical Skills Assessment Program (TSAP) Certification
• Forklift Operator Certification

Instructors should be physically capable of operating equipment, performing demonstrations, and assisting students in a hands‑on setting. Operators must be able to exert 50–100 pounds of force occasionally, 25–50 pounds frequently, and 10–20 pounds constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects such as tools, equipment parts, and construction materials. The job requires frequent bending, stretching, twisting, reaching, and climbing in and out of machinery.

Operators must be able to move through a full range of motions and maintain balance and coordination while operating equipment, sometimes on rough or uneven terrain. Heavy machine operators must be physically fit to endure strenuous work, including standing, walking, or sitting for long periods, and working in extreme weather and challenging environments. Excellent hand‑eye and foot coordination are necessary for manipulating multiple controls, steering, and operating various machines safely and efficiently.

Fine and firm grasping, as well as the ability to make fast, repeated movements, are required. The role often involves exposure to vibration, noise, dust, and outdoor elements, as well as occasional risks from working around moving equipment and hazardous materials.

College of the Mainland is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, disability or veteran status.

College of the Mainland does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the recruitment and admission of students, the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, and the operation of its programs and activities, as specified by federal laws and regulations within Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and 1992.