Location

Project-based / Regional Travel as Required

Position Summary

The Bridge Operator / Bid‑Well Foreman is responsible for safely operating the Bid‑Well concrete paving machine while supervising and leading a bridge deck crew. This role plays a critical part in delivering high-quality bridge decks by ensuring production targets, safety standards, specifications, and finish requirements are met. The ideal candidate combines hands-on equipment expertise with strong field leadership and a proactive safety mindset.

Key Responsibilities

Bid‑Well & Equipment Operation

Operate the Bid‑Well bridge paving machine efficiently and safely to place and finish concrete bridge decks.
Perform daily inspections, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting on Bid‑Well equipment and related tools.
Coordinate with batch plant, concrete suppliers, and pump crews to maintain consistent concrete delivery and quality.
Monitor deck grades, slopes, and finishes to ensure compliance with project specifications and DOT standards.

Crew Leadership & Foreman Duties

Lead, supervise, and direct bridge crews, including operators, finishers, and laborers.
Plan daily work activities and assign tasks to maximize productivity and efficiency.
Serve as the point of contact between the crew, superintendent, inspectors, and engineers.
Train and mentor crew members on proper procedures, equipment use, and safety expectations.

Quality, Safety & Production

Enforce all company safety policies and ensure compliance with OSHA and site-specific safety plans.
Conduct daily safety meetings (Job Safety Analyses / Toolbox Talks).
Maintain high-quality concrete finishes and address issues in real time.
Track production, manpower, and equipment usage; report updates to the superintendent.

Project Coordination

Read and interpret plans, specifications, grades, and pour sequences.
Coordinate finishes, curing processes, and clean-up activities.
Assist with planning pours, scheduling manpower, and preparing for deck placements.
Identify potential issues ahead of pours and proactively communicate solutions.

Required Qualifications

5+ years of bridge or heavy civil concrete experience, with direct Bid‑Well operation preferred.
Prior foreman or lead experience on bridges, structural concrete, or paving crews.
Strong understanding of concrete placement, finishing, curing, and bridge deck tolerances.
Ability to read and interpret bridge plans, grades, and specifications.
Proven leadership skills with the ability to motivate and manage crews.
Commitment to safety, quality, and production.
Valid driver’s license; ability to travel and work extended hours as required.

Preferred Qualifications

DOT bridge experience.
Experience with stringless control, grade control, or survey coordination.
OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification.
Experience working with inspectors and engineers during pours.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Ability to stand, walk, climb, and work on elevated bridge decks for extended periods.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform physical labor as needed.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

About the company

Emery Sapp & Sons is a heavy civil contractor building roads, bridges, utility networks and development sites for public agencies and private owners. Its field teams handle grading and excavation, underground utilities, asphalt and concrete paving, bridge construction and pavement preservation. The company also produces hot-mix asphalt and supplies construction materials, combining production facilities with the crews and equipment used to complete infrastructure projects. It manages estimating and project delivery across transportation, residential, commercial and other civil construction work in the Midwest. Founded in 1972, Emery Sapp & Sons is headquartered in Columbia, Missouri.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Columbia, MO

Founded

1972

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

Automatic ownership enrollment: employees enter the ESOP without a separate signup process.
Free driver training: employee-owners have access to a hands-on, 20-day CDL license program.
Family counseling support: the EAP covers employees and dependents, including financial planning and child or elder care assistance.

What critics are saying

Physical entry requirements: the current laborer role requires lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds.
Frequent travel: the saw operator role requires travel to project sites across ESS operating regions.
Weather exposure: laborers must work outdoors in all weather conditions.

What makes Emery Sapp & Sons unique

Repair control: ESS mechanics self-perform most equipment repairs through the company's maintenance facilities.
Plan-linked machinery: GPS monitoring connects heavy equipment to project plans for field accuracy.
Computer-controlled production: permanent asphalt facilities use automated controls and systems monitoring for manufacturing precision.

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Emery Sapp & Sons

Bid-Well Operator and Bridge Foreman

About the job