GRADING AND PAVING APPRENTICESHIP

Job Summary:

Interested in learning how to operate heavy equipment, but not sure where to start? Our Grading & Paving Apprentice Operator Program is for you! This on the job, 4-year training program will leave you with advanced knowledge of the construction industry, as well as expert skills in the safe operation of a variety of tools and equipment.

Apprenticeship opportunities available at our Tangent, Portland, and Bend locations.

Grading and Paving operators provide grading and paving construction services to homeowners, commercial businesses and State and Federal agencies. Job sizes range from installing a private home driveway to constructing large expanses of interstate highway. You will be responsible for the safe operation of a variety of tools and equipment, including rollers, excavators, motor graders, dozers, trucks, paving machines, screeds, backhoes and pickup machines. You will also use a wide range of powered and nonpowered small tools including shovels, rakes, hand-controlled compaction machines, paving breakers/jack hammers, pumps and generators. As an apprentice, you will be directly involved in job site layout, as a grade checker and traffic control (flagger). CDL prep courses and trucking driving are a training requirement for the apprenticeship program and will require having a valid driver's license.

Program Duration: 3775 hours of on-the-job training (usually 4 years) and a minimum of 144 hours of related training (academic/ classroom training shall be required during each year for each of the first two (2) years of the program. A minimum of 40 hours of related training shall be required during any subsequent years.

Seasonal: Work in this trade is usually active April through November (weather dependent) and the classroom training usually falls sometime in the "off-season" (December - March).

Hours: Hours will vary depending on workload, but all apprentices must be able to work overtime, if necessary.

Wage Range: Sliding scale beginning at 80% of a fully qualified Journey Level Operator's base rate of $34.50 per hour. Pay increases and program advancement is evaluated every six months and is based on the ability to satisfactory complete competency assessments.

Required Skills: Must be a motivated self-starter with a positive attitude and have the ability to work well with others. Willingness to learn and being to follow directions is vital. Must be able to bend, stoop, lift, push, pull and be on your feet for long periods of time, in all weather conditions. General knowledge of highway construction is helpful, but not necessary.

Supportive Services: The BOLI/ODOT Heavy Highway Workforce Development Program (HHWDP) offers support services to Apprentices. Details regarding the supportive services can be found at the BOLI apprenticeship website and will be included in the application packet.

This program is registered with the Oregon State Apprenticeship & Training Council and is recognized by the Bureau of Labor and Industries.

Minimum Qualifications:

-Seventeen (17) years of age at the time of application and eighteen (18) years of age at the time of placement into the apprenticeship program.

-Must be a high school graduate with a diploma or have a GED certificate or be in the last term/semester of high school (diploma will be required before placement into apprenticeship program)

How To Apply:
**APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE APRIL 1 THROUGH APRIL 30 ONLY**

Additional Apprenticeship requirements will be emailed to you by Knife River's apprentice liaison once an application is submitted.

Knife River is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status or any other protected category under applicable state/federal law.

Subject to pre-employment drug testing and background check.