Excavation Foreman
Northern Plains Railroad & Rail Services
Grand Forks, ND, USA
Posted on Feb 21, 2026
Join our team as an Excavation Foreman!
About the Role:
The Excavation Foreman is responsible for assisting with planning, budgeting, estimating, equipment coordination, and personnel leadership with the utmost integrity. This role trains, manages, and directs the day‑to‑day coordination of the crew, equipment, and trucking to meet or exceed expectations for safety, quality, profitability, and schedule. The position also operates heavy equipment as needed to support daily operations. The Foreman builds long‑lasting client‑contractor relationships through consistent performance and effective coordination.
Minimum Qualifications:
- GED or higher.
- 5 or more years of field operations experience.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and maintain an insurable driving status which includes but is not limited to NPRS driver provisions.
- Strong knowledge of excavation equipment, techniques, and safety standards.
Responsibilities:
- Operate, load, unload, and secure heavy equipment.
- Lead and support excavation crews, including scheduling and daily coordination.
- Ensure safety compliance by addressing concerns and promoting safe practices.
- Maintain organized job sites and oversee project quality, documentation, and progress.
- Collaborate with teams and vendors to support equipment maintenance and operational needs.
Skills:
The Excavation Foreman utilizes technical skills daily to interpret complex blueprints and site plans, ensuring excavation activities align precisely with project requirements. Leadership and communication skills are essential for effectively managing and motivating the crew, coordinating with multiple stakeholders, and maintaining a safe work environment. Problem-solving skills are frequently applied to address unexpected site conditions or equipment issues promptly, minimizing delays. Knowledge of safety regulations and best practices is critical to enforce compliance and prevent accidents on site. Additionally, organizational skills are used to schedule resources efficiently, track progress, and document work activities for reporting and quality assurance purposes.
Interested? See full job description below!
Job Title: Excavation Foreman
Company: Northern Plains Services, Inc.
Business Unit: Complete Track Works
Department: Excavation
Schedule: 7:00am – 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, (days may vary).
Travel: Regional 25 %, Production 80+ %, required OT
Summary:
The Excavation Foreman is responsible for assisting with planning, budgeting, estimating, equipment coordination, and personnel leadership with the utmost integrity. This role trains, manages, and directs the day‑to‑day coordination of the crew, equipment, and trucking to meet or exceed expectations for safety, quality, profitability, and schedule. The position also operates heavy equipment as needed to support daily operations. The Foreman builds long‑lasting client‑contractor relationships through consistent performance and effective coordination.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities are, but are not limited to:
- Operate and secure various equipment for transport, including loading/unloading using loaders, skid steers, forklifts, and similar machinery.
- Provide basic equipment operation demonstrations to customers when needed.
- Work a flexible schedule to meet company and customer needs.
- Offer leadership, vision, and employee development to support a successful excavating division.
- Plan schedules and assist with implementing procedures for excavation, construction, and heavy‑equipment operation.
- Diagnose grade, sub‑grade, drainage, and safety issues and implement timely corrective actions.
- Respond immediately to safety concerns and promote a strong safety culture.
- Oversee daily construction and maintenance operations within the assigned region.
- Coordinate field work, preventative maintenance, and project planning for track systems and heavy equipment.
- Monitor teams for compliance with safety rules, company policies, operating procedures, and regulations.
- Collaborate with staff and vendors on maintenance and replacement of equipment.
- Visit job sites to observe crews, conduct quality and safety audits, provide PPE, and ensure proper task‑specific training.
- Maintain clean, safe, organized job sites and ensure project requirements (timeline, budget, workforce, materials, equipment) are met.
- Keep daily logs and detailed written and photo records of job‑site activities.
- Complete punch lists and ensure proper maintenance of excavation‑related devices.
- Perform management duties on project sites as needed and ensure all company and customer safety expectations are met.
- Perform additional duties as assigned, including work on Northern Plains Railroad as directed.
Competencies:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
- Networking, Persuasion, Prospecting, Public Speaking, Research, Writing, Closing Skills, Motivation for Sales, Prospecting Skills, Sales Planning, Identification of Customer Needs and Challenges, Territory Management, Market Knowledge, and Professionalism.
- Driving Execution – Uses benchmarks and performance measures to track progress; tackles problems head-on and works to resolve them without delay; drives continuous improvement in all organization processes and products.
- Inspiring Trust – Maintains high standards of personal integrity; behaves in accord with expressed beliefs and commitments; establishes open, candid, and trusting relationships; treats others fairly and consistently; collaborates as a team player; never undermines others for own gain.
- High Impact Communications and Influencing/Negotiating – Creates open channels of communication; keeps others well informed; listens carefully to input and feedback and encourages others to express contrary views; builds confidence and inspires support through a convincing communications style; promotes and sells ideas persuasively; shapes the opinion of key stakeholders; promotes and projects a positive image of the organization; wins acceptance for proposed changes & new initiatives. Experience in training, developing and assessing company personnel.
- Self-Driven – Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and manage a wide variety of projects simultaneously and under deadline. Experience working and managing complex projects.
- Communication - Excellent oral and written communication skills required with prospective customers, vendors, management, business developers, real estate executives, media, marketing executives, and other support professionals. Must have the ability to think strategically. Effective communication and collaboration within all departments, including senior management, is required. Able to pull together a strong team without direct authority over parts of the team.
- Industry Knowledge – Working knowledge of estimating and accounting for all aspects of excavation/construction activities. Must understand excavation, construction, and earthwork marketplace.
- Strong organizational skills. Proficient knowledge in computer skills and computer software related to the construction industry.
Physical Demands:
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the physical demands listed below:
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to perform on uneven or slippery surfaces, platforms, ladders, and equipment in all weather and temperature conditions. Most of the day could be spent on feet standing. Eye/hand coordination, hand/feet dexterity and grasping hand tools, materials & equipment is required. The employee is frequently required to perform manual labor & physical activities that require considerable use of the whole body, such as standing and lifting from various levels.
- Additional physical demands are listed in the chart below.
- May require travel to various facilities and provide additional services.
Environmental:
- Continuous: Must be able to work outdoors in all extreme weather conditions. Work outdoors at project sites in harsh weather conditions including very hot and very cold weather. Must wear appropriate safety equipment such as safety glasses, hard hats, safety footwear, and hearing protection as required. Exposure to dust. Uneven surfaces. Must wear appropriate safety equipment such as safety glasses, hard hats, safety footwear, and hearing protection as required by the company.
- Frequent: Noise
- Occasional: Vibration, works at heights.
Education and Training:
- GED or higher.
- 5 or more years of field operations experience.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and maintain an insurable driving status which includes but is not limited to NPRS driver provisions.
- DOT Health Card required.
Requirements of Joining Our Team:
Our comprehensive pre-employment process ensures the well-being and integrity of our team. To join our organization, candidates are required to:
1. Pass a mandatory drug test to maintain a drug-free workplace. Random, reasonable suspicion and post-accident testing may also be required throughout employment.
2. Undergo a thorough physical examination to ensure the requirements of the position can be met.
3. Provide professional references to validate qualifications and character.
4. Complete a comprehensive background check to confirm suitability for the position.
We value transparency and the safety of our employees and customers, and these steps are essential in upholding our commitment to excellence.
LIFT 2 - Physical Demands Checklist
* Never (N) = Not at all * Rarely (R) = 1-5% * Occasionally (O) = 6-33% * Frequently (F) = 34-66% * Continuously (C) = 67-100%
TASKS | N 0% | R 1-5% | O 6-33% | F 34-66% | C 67-100% | Essential | Comments |
Sitting |
|
| X |
|
|
|
|
Standing |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Walking Distance: 600 ft |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Bending/Stooping: 2 min |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Sitting while twisting & reaching above shoulder level |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Crawling 10 ft |
| X |
|
|
|
|
|
Squatting: 10 reps |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Climbing Stairs: YMCA Step Test |
|
| X |
|
| X | NOT Pass or Fail |
Climbing Ladder: 30 rungs |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Balancing CTSIB-M test |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Reaching- Forward |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Reaching- Overhead arm’s length |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Reaching Low Level |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Static Push/Pull: Static push force 50# at shoulder level |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
TASKS continued | N 0% | R 1-5% | O 6-33% | F 34-66% | C 67-100% | Essential | Comments |
Push/Pull: 90# force at waist level, simulate throw a switch |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Shoveling |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Grip Strength min. 50# |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Gross & Fine coordination |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Lift / Carry |
|
|
|
|
|
| Floor to Waist & Bilateral Carry |
<10# |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
11-24 # |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
25-34 # |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
35-50 # |
| X |
|
|
| X |
|
Lift 50 # Waist to Crown |
| X |
|
|
| X |
|
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Working around moving machinery, parts & equipment |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Working outside & extreme weather conditions |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Exposure to heat /humidity |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Exposure to cold |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Using power equipment |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Slippery surfaces |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Noise |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Works with others, alone, paperwork |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Dust, Smoke, Odors, Fumes, Grease, Oil |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Hearing |
|
|
|
| X | X | Hearing acuity-MEC/Medical Examiner's Certificate DOT vs FRA-DOT vs OSHA |
Speech |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Vision |
|
|
|
| X | X | Vision acuity-MEC/Medical Examiner's Certificate DOT vs FRA-DOT vs Standard |
Standard Vision |
|
|
|
| X | X | Standard Vision-Snellen/Ishihara/Perimetry |
Works at heights |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Electrical hazards |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Uneven surfaces |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Inhalation Exposure |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Cramped quarters |
| X |
|
|
| X |
|
TASKS continued | N 0% | R 1-5% | O 6-33% | F 34-66% | C 67-100% | Essential | Comments |
Hazardous Material |
| X |
|
|
| X |
|
Chemical Exposure |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Vibration |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
This job description is not intended to represent a complete, comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities that may be required in this position. There may be unplanned activities and other duties assigned. This Job Description may change at any time declared by Management.
NPRS is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected under local, state, or federal statute, ordinance, or regulation. NPRS is a tradename used by Northern Plains Railroad, Inc. (NPR), Northern Plains Services, Inc. (NPS), and All Rail, Inc. (All Rail).
