Equipment Operator (Operator, Specialist, or Senior)

Do you enjoy working outdoors and take pride in putting safety first? Are you looking for a career where you can make a meaningful impact in your community?

The Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) San Antonio District is seeking an Equipment Operator, Equipment Operator Specialist, or an Equipment Operator Senior to join our team in San Antonio, Texas. In this role, you will help maintain Texas roadways while working alongside a dedicated team committed to keeping the traveling public safe.

TxDOT provides the training, tools, and uniforms you need to succeed, along with excellent opportunities for career growth and advancement. In addition, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid employee medical insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, retirement benefits, and health insurance options for your family.

If you're ready to build a rewarding career with an organization that values safety, teamwork, and public service, apply today!

Annual Salary Ranges

Equipment Operator (A18): $45,521- $71,055

Equipment Operator Specialist (A19): $48,244- $76,028

Equipment Operator Senior (A20): $51,158- $81,351

This position is for an Equipment Operator, Equipment Operator Specialist, or an Equipment Operator Senior, depending on business needs and applicant qualifications. TxDOT reserves the sole right in determining the level of position based on business needs and the applicant's work experience, education, skill level and all other appropriate factors.

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)

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.

Essential Duties:

Equipment Operator

• Assists in providing support to local law enforcement officials at accident sites; assists stranded motorists as required.
• Assists with traffic control; places and gathers cones, warning signs and barricades; flags traffic.
• 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.
• 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 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.
• May train other employees on the operation of equipment and safety procedures
• Operates heavy equipment performing highly complex transportation maintenance and roadway repairs.
• 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.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned

Equipment Operator Specialist
In addition to the duties listed above

• Trains other employees on equipment operation and safety procedures.
• 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.
• May serve as a work crew project lead ensuring work performed meets project specifications.
• May coordinate equipment operations for daily work assignments.

Equipment Operator Senior
In addition to the duties listed above

• Serves as a work crew project lead ensuring work performed meets project specifications.
• Coordinates equipment operations for daily work assignments.
• Operates heavy equipment such as a front-end loader one and a half cubic yards or more, large dragline, shovel, and paint striper.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: 

• No education required.

Experience:
Equipment Operator

• 1 year experience in maintenance and/or construction equipment operation.

Equipment Operator Specialist

• 2 year experience in maintenance and/or construction equipment operation.

Equipment Operator Senior

• 4 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

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
• Must have a valid Texas Class "A" Commercial Driver's License with a "N" endorsement and with no driving restrictions at time of application.

Competencies:

All levels:

• Applicable industry safety standards, guidelines, and specification codes
• The Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
  Basic vehicle mechanics, maintenance and repair procedures
• Using applicable hand and power tools, equipment, and mechanical devices of the trade
• Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others
• Maintaining a safe working environment
• Communicate effectively
• Follow verbal and written instructions
• Drive and ride in a vehicle for extended periods
• Methods, procedures, equipment, and materials used in intermodal transportation engineering construction and maintenance work
• Applicable industry safety standards, guidelines, and specification codes
• Training in a classroom, office, or field environment
• Prioritizing and organizing work assignments
• Methods and procedures involving storage & transport of hazardous materials
• Coordinating labor, materials, and equipment
• Operating light and heavy highway equipment

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

All Levels:

• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions
• Subject to extreme cold and heat; below 32 and 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 air and skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids
• Required to wear protective gear-respirator, hard hat, or other device
• 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
• Stooping-bending body downward and forward by bending spine at waist
• Kneeling-bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee(s)
• Balancing-walking, standing, crouching on various surfaces without falling
• Crouching-bending body downward and forward by bending leg(s) and spine
• Standing-prolonged periods of time
• Walking-moving on foot to accomplish tasks: long distance/from one work site to another
• Pulling-using upper extremities to exert force moving objects in a sustained motion
• Talking-expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes visual inspection of small defects/parts
• Visual Acuity-operate machines, such as drill presses, power saws, and mills
• Visual Acuity-operate motor vehicles and heavy equipment
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading
• Close Visual Acuity-using measurement devices; and assembly or fabrication parts
• Works frequently in small/crawl spaces; manholes; areas that can cause claustrophobia
• Works in narrow aisles or passageways
   

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 45 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