Featured Department: Field Operations

The equipment of our industry-leading fleet in action on the jobsite is eye-catching to anyone looking on, but the real power behind Brubacher’s Field Operations is less visible to the casual observer. It’s the careful planning, the commitment to quality, and the steady leadership that keeps every project and every person moving forward. From the first stake in the ground to the final roll of asphalt, our dedicated Field Operations team is the face of Brubacher’s work and a daily reflection of the company’s values of Safety, Integrity, Initiative, and Teamwork.

Field Operations (aka Field Ops) at Brubacher isn’t just about moving earth or installing vital utilities infrastructure. It’s a shared commitment of everyone involved—where construction leadership meets people development, where mentoring matters as much as machine time, and where doing the job the right way is paramount.

The Core of Field Ops: People and Purpose

As an excavating and sitework contractor working across Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, Brubacher’s Field Ops team is responsible for bringing full-scale land development and infrastructure projects to life. The team’s scope of responsibility spans from land clearing and rough grading to utility installation and paving—delivering projects safely and efficiently while maintaining high standards on every jobsite. However, for Director of Field Operations Brad C. and his team, Field Operations in construction begin and end with people.

“My role is to help build teams and develop the skills of our people. That’s what matters most,” Brad noted.

What truly sets Field Ops apart isn’t just technical capability. It’s the culture of professionalism, accountability, and mutual respect that defines how work gets done. Across every role, from general laborers and pipe layers to pipe supervisors and site superintendents, team members are trained to solve problems proactively, support one another, and treat both clients and coworkers with genuine care. It is their reputation for quality and respect that makes Brubacher an uncommonly refreshing partner others want to work with again and again.

“Our field team members are often our best salespeople,” Brad shared. “Their professionalism, their teamwork, how they treat people—it makes all the difference.”

This commitment to integrity shows up in quiet yet critical ways. Crews take pride in the work no one sees, such as on pipes buried underground, and they push for excellence even in the face of tight timelines or unpredictable conditions. Brad added, “Shortcuts in our industry usually happen where no one sees them. We don’t take those. At Brubacher, field operations in construction means doing it right the first time, every time, regardless of whether the results are visible.”

A Training Ground for Future Leaders

On every project, Brubacher’s Field Ops team embodies a people-first construction culture, leading with integrity at every step. It’s a department that thrives not just on delivering results but on proactive leadership, clear communication, and trust—and creating that culture starts with a strong foundation. For Jordan K., Manager of People & Development, that means careful recruitment focused on cultural fit and long-term potential.

“Behind every successful crew is a strong investment in training and development. Brubacher’s approach to construction career development is both structured and personal, focusing on character as much as skillset. My role is about making sure Brubacher has the right people for today, the right people for tomorrow, and the right people for years to come,” Jordan explained.

Whether it’s helping a new pipe supervisor transition into leadership or supporting a future field operator at the start of their career, Jordan partners across departments to create opportunities for advancement. Once new hires are on board, the team works together to provide hands-on coaching and field-based learning. “Training is something we carry into the field every day—not just in formal sessions, but in how we mentor, teach, and build confidence,” Jordan noted.

Jordan and training team members who work with him help ensure Brubacher offers some of the region’s most intentional training for heavy equipment operators and other field personnel, an effort that reflects the company’s deep investment in construction career development. “We’re not just building skills. We’re building better people, better leaders,” Jordan said.

This hands-on, people-first model reflects a long-held belief at Brubacher: that developing people is much more than a business decision. It’s a responsibility. It’s also rarely a fast or linear process, but over time, the intentional investment pays off. Brubacher leaders can point to story after story of individuals who joined the company with minimal experience and have since risen into respected skilled positions or leadership roles. These success stories—of interns becoming operators or laborers stepping into supervisory positions—are a testament to the strength of the training and the culture that surrounds it.

Facing Challenges Head-On and Building for the Future

If there’s one thing that defines Field Operations beyond technical excellence, it’s adaptability. Jobsite conditions, project schedules, weather, and client needs can shift quickly—and Brubacher’s field leaders are constantly planning, adjusting, and working ahead to stay out in front.

“We’re like a moving assembly line,” Brad noted. “The site changes every day. You have to plan—and then be ready to pivot. We often say that in construction, ‘your paycheck depends on the weather and the clock.’ But if you plan, adapt, and keep showing up, you can go far.”

Strategic forecasting, close collaboration with the HR team, and strong internal communication help ensure that the right people are in the right places, even when plans change or projects shift direction. Flexibility and initiative are expected of everyone, whether you’re managing a job or just starting out. It’s this mindset, one that balances planning with responsiveness, that allows the department to maintain high performance while undertaking the crucial process of developing people for the future. It is also what keeps many team members at Brubacher for the long haul. Field Ops offers meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and a culture grounded in hard work, humility, and shared success. It’s not uncommon for individuals to spend their entire careers moving up through the ranks on our team, gaining experience across every phase of heavy civil construction.

For those who are eager to learn, willing to work hard, and ready to lead, Field Operations at Brubacher offers more than just a job. It provides a career path built on trust, teamwork, and the kind of quiet excellence that shapes lasting legacies.

Brad C. sums it up with a tinge of humor, “It doesn’t sound glamorous, but field operations is a career path where you can literally start in the ditch and go anywhere from there.”