Equipment Operator, Equipment Operator Specialist, or Senior Equipment Operator - Sweetwater, TX

TxDOT’s Nolan County in the Abilene District is looking for an Equipment Operator. If you are looking to build a career, you have come to the right place!

At TxDOT we strive to achieve a work-life balance and recognize the importance of your career as well as your home life. We offer a wide array of programs and activities including compressed work schedules, wellness leave incentive, career development programs, tuition assistance and many other benefits.

Salary Plan/Grade:

•    Equipment Operator:  A18 ($45,521.00 - $71,055.00/yearly)
•    Equipment Operator Specialist: A19 ($48,244.00 - $76,028.00/yearly)
•    Equipment Operator Senior: A20 ($51,158.00 - $81,351.00/yearly)
 

At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package
To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Equipment Operator:  

Performs complex transportation maintenance work operating heavy equipment such as a tractor-trailer haul truck, motor grader, large excavator, heavy bulldozer, crane, herbicide truck, heavy asphalt paving machine, self-propelled asphalt distributor, profiling/milling machine, and dump truck. Work requires contact with private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

Equipment Operator Specialist:

Performs highly complex transportation maintenance work operating heavy equipment such as a tractor-trailer haul truck, motor grader, large excavator, heavy bulldozer, crane, herbicide truck, heavy asphalt paving machine, self-propelled asphalt distributor, profiling/milling machine, and dump truck. Work requires contact with private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

Equipment Operator Senior:

Performs advanced transportation maintenance work operating heavy equipment such as a tractor-trailer haul truck, motor grader, large excavator, heavy bulldozer, crane, herbicide truck, heavy asphalt paving machine, self-propelled asphalt distributor, profiling/milling machine, and dump truck. Work requires contact with private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

Essential Duties for a Equipment Operator:

•    Assists with traffic control; places and gathers cones, warning signs and barricades; flags traffic.
•    Operates one or more types of complex heavy equipment such as tractor-trailer haul truck, motor grader, large excavator, heavy bulldozer, crane, herbicide truck, heavy asphalt paving machine, self-propelled asphalt profiling/milling machine and dump truck.
•    Performs preventive maintenance inspections (PMI), routine servicing and minor repairs on equipment; as required uses/moves equipment/tools, materials and products related to these activities to include tires and equipment attachments.
•    Operates heavy equipment such as a front-end loader one and a half cubic yards or more, large dragline, shovel, and paint striper.
•    Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Additional duties for a Equipment Operator Specialist:

•    Trains other employees on equipment operation and safety procedures.
•    May serve as a work crew project lead ensuring work performed meets project specifications.
•    Operates heavy equipment performing highly complex transportation maintenance and roadway repairs.

Additional duties for a Equipment Operator Senior:

•    Serves as a work crew project lead ensuring work performed meets project specifications.
•    Coordinates equipment operations for daily work assignments.
•    Assists in providing support to local law enforcement officials at accident sites; assists stranded motorists as required.
•    Monitors and completes various required reports including time-keeping, equipment forms, inventory, accident forms, Preventative Maintenance Inspection (PMI) checklist, and records work in progress.
•    Operates light equipment such as a front-end loader one and a quarter cubic yards or less, pneumatic roller, rotary broom, spreader box, backhoe, street sweeper, and mower.
•    Operates tractor-trailer haul trucks to relocate heavy and light equipment including loading, securing, and unloading equipment on haul trailers in compliance with federal, state, and Department motor vehicle laws, regulations, and standards.
•    Conducts herbicide application operations and oversees the procurement and inventory management of herbicide supplies.
•    Sands or cleans bridges and roads, posting warning signs, helping the public and performing other work as directed during emergency situations such as floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, snowstorms, accidents and hazardous material spills.
 

Minimum Qualifications:

Equipment Operator requires the following:

Education:  None in formal education.
Experience: 1 year experience in maintenance and/or construction equipment operation. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent). Related college education or relevant technical training may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications. No supervisory experience required.  

Equipment Operator Specialist requires the following:

Education:  None in formal education.
Experience:  2 years maintenance and/or construction equipment operation.  (Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated part-time equivalent). Related college education or relevant technical training may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications. No supervisory experience required.

Equipment Operator Senior requires the following:

Education:  None in formal education.
Experience:  4 years maintenance and/or construction equipment operation.  (Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated part-time equivalent). Related college education or relevant technical training may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications. No supervisory experience required.

Licenses and Certifications:

•    Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

•    Must have a valid Texas Commercial Class "A" Driver License (CDL) for equipment operation at time of application with an N Endorsement, and with no restrictions - This position requires you to drive a state vehicle for TxDOT.

Competencies for an Equipment Operator:

•    Applicable industry safety standards, guidelines, and specification codes
•    Basic vehicle mechanics, maintenance and repair procedures
•    Operating light and heavy highway equipment
•    Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others
•    Maintaining a safe working environment
•    Communicate effectively
•    Follow verbal and written instructions

Additional competencies for an Equipment Operator Specialist:

•    Methods, procedures, equipment, and materials used in intermodal transportation engineering construction and maintenance work
•    Coordinating labor, materials, and equipment

Additional competencies for an Equipment Operator Senior:

•    Prioritizing and organizing work assignments
•    Using applicable hand and power tools, equipment, and mechanical devices of the trade
•    Drive and ride in a vehicle for extended periods

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions for all levels:

•    Subject to environmental conditions; protection from weather but not temperature changes
•    Subject to outside environmental conditions; no effective weather protection
•    Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions
•    Subject to extreme cold and heat; below 32 and/or above 100 degrees for more than one hour
•    Subject to noise
•    Subject to vibration
•    Subject to hazards-moving vehicles/mechanical parts, high places/heat, or chemicals
•    Subject to atmospheric conditions-fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, poor ventilation
•    Subject to air and/or skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids
•    Required to wear protective gear-respirator, hard hat, or another device
•    Works frequently in small/crawl spaces; manholes; areas that can cause claustrophobia
•    Works in narrow aisles or passageways
•    Sedentary work: Lift up to 10 lbs. at a time and occasionally carry files/small tools
•    Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs. at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs.
•    Medium work: Lift up to 50 lbs. at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 25 lbs.
•    Climbing - ascending/descending ladders, stairs, scaffoldings, ramps, etc.
•    Balancing walking, standing, crouching on various surfaces without falling
•    Stooping-bending body downward and forward by bending spine at waist
•    Kneeling-bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee(s)
•    Crouching-bending body downward and forward by bending leg(s) and spine
•    Crawling-moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet
•    Reaching-extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction
•    Standing-prolonged periods of time
•    Walking moving on foot to accomplish tasks: long distance/from one work site to another
•    Pushing-using upper extremities to press against object with force to move in a direction
•    Pulling-using upper extremities to exert force moving objects in a sustained motion
•    Lifting-raising objects from lower to higher position/horizontally to a different position
•    Fingering-picking, pinching, typing; working primarily with fingers rather than whole hand
•    Grasping-applying pressure to an object with fingers and palm
•    Feeling-determining size, shape, temperature or texture of objects
•    Talking expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words
•    Hearing-perceive sound at normal speaking levels; receive information by oral communication
•    Repetitive Motion-substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers
•    Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading
•    Close Visual Acuity-work includes visual inspection of small defects/parts
•    Close Visual Acuity-using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts
•    Visual Acuity-operate machines, such as drill presses, power saws, and mills
•    Visual Acuity-operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment
•    Visual Acuity-determine work quality/make general observations of facilities/structures

Conditions of Employment:
Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)

• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize “medical marijuana” under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.
• Must be able to report for duty within 30 minutes of notification on a 24-hour basis to respond to emergency situations.

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category. 

To view the MOS codes please click on link below and click on the appropriate occupational category.

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.

Please click this link to read the information for applicants: Additional Applicant Information