Crawler Crane Operator - Manitowoc M250

Location: Deltak Manufacturing Inc. - 4418 Pesson Road, New Iberia, LA

Employment Type: Full-Time, At-Will, Safety-Sensitive

Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/V/D

Whether you are bringing years of heavy-lift experience or strong industrial crane knowledge, we welcome safety-minded professionals ready to build a lasting career.

Come for the opportunity, stay for the future!

Job Overview

Deltak Manufacturing Inc. is seeking a highly qualified Crawler Crane Operator for our New Iberia facility to operate a Manitowoc M250 lattice-boom crawler crane in support of heavy industrial fabrication, material handling, loading, assembly, and lifting operations. The ideal candidate will have substantial hands-on crawler crane experience, current crane operator certification, strong load-chart and rigging knowledge, and a demonstrated record of safe operation in fabrication, shipyard, construction, petrochemical, or other heavy-industrial environments.

Duties

• Operate the Manitowoc M250 crawler crane and associated lifting equipment safely, smoothly, and within manufacturer load charts, operating procedures, limitations, and approved configurations.
• Perform and document required pre-shift inspections; identify defects involving controls, hooks, wire rope, brakes, safety devices, operational aids, boom components, tracks/crawlers, and ground conditions, and remove unsafe equipment from service.
• Read and correctly apply crane load charts, boom-length/configuration information, operating radius, capacity deductions, counterweight configuration, parts-of-line, and rigging weights before lifts.
• Assess setup and travel paths, ground conditions, crane level/stability, swing radius, overhead hazards, nearby structures, personnel exposure, and power-line clearances before and during operations.
• Coordinate lifts with lift directors, supervisors, qualified riggers, and signal persons using standard hand, voice, and radio signals; stop operations when communication is lost or conditions become unsafe.
• Participate in pre-lift meetings, Task Hazard Analyses/JHAs, lift planning, and critical-lift planning. Assist with verifying load weight, center of gravity, rigging arrangement, clearances, and crane capacity.
• Perform routine lifts, blind lifts when assigned, and heavy/critical lifts only when properly planned and authorized. Maintain control of suspended loads and never exceed rated capacity.
• Safely travel and position a crawler crane, including with a load when permitted by the manufacturer, load chart, site conditions, and Deltak procedures.
• Conduct or assist with proper crane assembly/disassembly activities when qualified and assigned, including lattice boom components, blocking, counterweights, wire rope, and attachments.
• Maintain accurate inspection and operating records and promptly report mechanical, structural, rigging, safety-device, or operational concerns.
• Follow Deltak safety requirements, OSHA requirements applicable to assigned work, manufacturer instructions, and site-specific lifting procedures at all times.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of documented crane operating experience, with at least 3 years of recent hands-on experience operating lattice-boom crawler cranes. Experience on Manitowoc M250, 2250, 4100, or comparable large Manitowoc crawler cranes is strongly preferred.
• Current nationally accredited crane operator certification appropriate for lattice-boom crawler cranes (for example, CCO/NCCCO or another OSHA-recognized accredited certification), where certification is required for the work being performed.
• Ability to successfully complete Deltak employer evaluation and site-specific qualification on the Manitowoc M250 make/model/configuration before independent operation.
• Demonstrated ability to read and apply manufacturer load charts and operator manuals and calculate/verify lifting capacity, load radius, deductions, rigging weight, and operating limitations.
• Working knowledge of lattice-boom crawler crane setup, assembly/disassembly hazards, ground-bearing/stability considerations, wire rope, hooks, blocks, sheaves, safety devices, operational aids, and daily/monthly inspection requirements.
• Working knowledge of rigging fundamentals, sling angles, shackles, hooks, taglines, load control, center of gravity, and proper selection/inspection of lifting gear.
• Knowledge of OSHA standard hand signals and effective radio/voice communication practices for crane operations.
• Experience working from lift plans/JHAs and participating in critical-lift planning and pre-lift meetings.
• Ability to recognize and respond to overhead power-line hazards, changing weather/wind conditions, personnel in the fall/swing zone, and other site-specific hazards.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Preferred Training / Certifications

• NCCER Mobile Crane Operator certification/credentials or equivalent recognized crane training.
• Qualified Rigger and/or Qualified Signal Person training/credentials.
• OSHA 10-Hour or OSHA 30-Hour Construction or General Industry training.
• First Aid/CPR/AED certification.
• Forklift or other powered industrial equipment certification, where applicable.
• Manitowoc M250 or comparable Manitowoc lattice-boom crawler crane factory/dealer training.
• Formal training in critical lifts, lift planning, crane assembly/disassembly, power-line safety, and rigging inspection.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to identify abnormal crane operation, wear, damage, and unsafe conditions.
• Ability to understand load dynamics, boom radius, crane stability, side-loading hazards, shock loading, swing control, and travel limitations.
• Ability to work closely with fabrication crews, riggers, signal persons, truck drivers, supervisors, maintenance, and HSE personnel.
• Ability to stop work when a lift cannot be performed safely or when conditions differ from the approved lift plan.

Physical / Safety Requirements

• Must pass required pre-employment screening and be able to perform the essential functions of a safety-sensitive crane operator position.
• Must be able to safely access and exit the crane cab, climb steps/ladders, maintain required visual and auditory awareness, and wear all required PPE.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in year-round South Louisiana weather and around active heavy-industrial fabrication operations.
• Ability to stand, walk, climb, bend, reach, and perform inspections throughout an 8-10 hour shift or longer when operations require.
• Must maintain the physical ability necessary for safe crane operation and promptly report any condition that could affect safe performance.

Experience Level Recommended for a Well-Qualified Candidate

For this position, Deltak should target candidates with 5+ years of overall mobile-crane operating experience and at least 3 years of recent lattice-boom crawler crane experience. A candidate with direct Manitowoc M250 or comparable large Manitowoc crawler experience, current accredited certification, qualified-rigger/signal-person knowledge, and documented heavy/critical-lift experience would be especially well qualified.