Certified Crane Operator

Southern Lifting and Hoisting • Full-time • Kilgore, Texas, United States • 3m ago

Southern Lifting and Hoisting is seeking an experienced Crane Operator to safely execute lifting operations across industrial and oil & gas job sites. The Crane Operator directly impacts job completion, site safety, and customer delivery by ensuring lifts are performed accurately, efficiently, and without incident. Success in this role means consistent, safe execution, strong communication with field teams, and maintaining equipment readiness across a variety of job environments.

What You’ll Do

Operate hydraulic cranes (up to 200 tons) across oil & gas, industrial, and taxi crane projects
Execute lifts in accordance with load charts, lift plans, and site-specific requirements
Perform daily crane inspections, identifying and addressing issues before operation
Set up equipment properly, including leveling, outrigger placement, and site assessment
Coordinate closely with riggers, drivers, supervisors, and customers during lift execution
Maintain strict compliance with OSHA, DOT, and company safety standards
Monitor environmental conditions (wind, ground conditions, load dynamics) and adjust operations accordingly
Complete required documentation, including inspection logs, lift documentation, and safety checklists
Identify potential risks or issues early and communicate proactively to prevent delays or incidents
Maintain equipment cleanliness and operational readiness to support uptime
Support overall job efficiency by minimizing delays and executing lifts safely and on schedule
Represent Southern professionally on customer job sites

What You Need to Succeed

Required:

NCCCO Certification (TLL) with 2+ years of crane operating experience up to 200 tons
Ability to operate hydraulic cranes safely in field environments
Strong understanding of load charts, crane setup, and safe lift practices
Ability to work outdoors in varying conditions and perform physically demanding work
Reliable transportation and ability to work within 3 hours of Kilgore, TX
Ability to pass background check and drug screening

Preferred:

CDL Class A
Experience in oil & gas or industrial job site environments
Rigging knowledge or prior rigging experience

A Day in the Life

Your day starts early, often before sunrise, reviewing the day’s lift schedule and job details. After arriving on site, you complete your pre-trip and daily crane inspection, checking critical systems and ensuring the equipment is ready for safe operation.

From there, you work alongside riggers and site personnel to set up the crane properly—positioning, leveling, and deploying outriggers based on ground conditions and lift requirements. Every job is different, but they all revolve around responding to customer needs and executing lifts with precision and efficiency.

Throughout the day, you’re actively monitoring load charts, wind conditions, and site variables, making real-time decisions to ensure every lift is completed safely. Communication is constant—hand signals, radios, and coordination with your team keep everything moving.

At the end of the day, you secure the equipment, complete any required documentation, and prepare for the next job. It’s hands-on work that requires focus, consistency, and a strong commitment to doing the job right every time.

Who Thrives Here

People who succeed at Southern tend to:

Take ownership of their work
Show up ready to perform
Solve problems instead of waiting for direction
Value safety over shortcuts
Respect the team and the job

What You Get

Competitive pay with consistent earning potential
Weekly pay
Medical, dental, and vision
401(k) with company match after 6 months
Opportunity to grow with a rapidly expanding operation

About Southern

The Southern family of companies supports complex transportation, lifting, logistics, and fabrication needs across the United States. Together, our teams help move, lift, plan, and build the infrastructure that keeps critical industries running. From heavy haul transportation to crane operations, project logistics, freight brokerage, and fabrication, Southern offers employees the opportunity to build long-term careers inside a growing, vertically integrated organization known for safety, reliability, and operational excellence.

Southern Lifting and Hoisting is your go-to provider for lifting, hauling, and logistics. With a team of skilled operators and a wealth of industry experience, we pride ourselves on delivering innovative solutions that streamline operations across various sectors.

Southern is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

All positions are subject to applicable background checks, drug and alcohol screening, and compliance with DOT and FMCSA regulations where required.

License/Certification: