MEET THE PRO: Dalton Smith, Heavy Equipment Operator
By Arkansas Next on Friday, October 13, 2023
Hometown: Siloam Springs
Age: 26
Where I Trained: On-the-job training with Nabholz
Job Title: Hydrovac Operator
Employer: Nabholz Construction
Dalton Smith always wanted a career in which he could work outside. He jumped into college right after high school, but ultimately decided to go straight into the workforce with underground utilities and found himself in hydrovac excavation.
“I was lucky enough to gain experience in the niche category of hydrovac excavation and quickly decided it was the perfect job for me,” Dalton said. “I get to live out every [kid's] dream of playing in the dirt and driving big trucks every day!”
By getting a head start on his career through on-the-job training, Dalton has been able to gain valuable experience in his industry that those taking the traditional college route wouldn’t.
“At a young age, I’ve been able to gain a foothold in an industry that can only really be learned from a lot of on-the-job training, making it possible for me to provide a good life for my wife and two young children,” Dalton said.
As a hydrovac operator at Nabholz Construction, Dalton’s work day typically starts with inspecting the truck before getting a list of jobs for the day. Usually, he assists one of the crews or an outside company in locating and exposing underground utilities to eliminate the risk of damage or outages during the excavation process. Dalton takes pride in ensuring his co-workers and the public stay safe, and he likes working with fresh scenery and new challenges every day.
“Most people have never heard of hydrovac excavation or even seen a truck that performs it...I guess most people don’t understand what it is,” Dalton said. “The industry is new to the South and it’s coming up fast, so it’s nice to see young adults learn about it and recognize it as a potential career path.”
WHAT DOES A HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR DO?
Operate bulldozers, compressors, derricks, shovels and tractors to move, excavate and grade earth and structures
Education Needed:
High school diploma and on-the-job training
Job Outlook
► 3,880 - Estimated number of heavy equipment operators expected to be employed in Arkansas by 2030
You'll be great at this too if...
► You want to work outside
► You enjoy working on automobiles
► You love using power tools
► You used to dig, build and play with toy cranes and bulldozers as a child
► You have good hand-eye coordination
► You respect safety rules and regulations
High-end earners (top 10%) make
$53,460 Annual
$25.70 Hourly
Median wages in Arkansas
$38,920 Annual
$18.71 Hourly
WHERE TO LEARN
- Arkansas Construction Education Foundation
- Arkansas Northeastern College
- East Arkansas Community College
- Greenway Equipment
- Lexicon Inc.
- Nucor Steel
- Phillips Community College, University of Arkansas
- University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology-McGehee
- University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville
- University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton
WHERE TO WORK
- Green Bay Packaging
- Greenway Equipment
- Lexicon Inc.
- Nucor Steel
- Riceland Foods
Sources: careeronestop.org
