Heavy Equipment Operator

Date Posted

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Department

Public Works

Compensation

Up to $27.72

Hours

Full Time

Deadline

Open until filled

To apply for this position online please click the following link:

https://cityofbradentonfl.munisselfservice.com/ess/employmentopportunities/default.aspx

Department/Location: Public Works & Utilities – Multiple Divisions

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Bargaining Unit: None

Classification: Essential: This position is an Essential classification and will require the employee to report to duty before, during, and after a hurricane or emergency.

Schedule: This position normally works a regular weekday daytime shift and requires scheduled/unscheduled overtime, including evenings, weekends and holidays and/or immediate response to emergency conditions.

Supervision Exercised: May act as Crew Lead

Supervision Received: Crew Chief, Supervisor, Superintendent, and/or Manager

General Purpose Of The Position

Performs skilled work in the safe and efficient operation of heavy trucks, tractors, and other medium-sized equipment where driving and maneuvering the vehicle constitutes the majority of the work required to complete tasks for in a variety of public works, landfill, parks or utility construction and maintenance projects to include grading, landscaping, excavating, landfill, roads, storm drainage systems, parks or similar projects. Equipment in this classification includes vehicles with complex mechanisms that require the highest degree of skill, dexterity, and finesse, and where work is performed to exacting tolerances. May have responsibility for leading a small crew of workers in maintenance, repair, and construction work.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Serves primarily as an operator of one or more kinds of assigned mechanized equipment utilized in the construction, alteration, repair, cleaning, and/or maintenance of various public works, landfill, parks or utility projects, to include but not all inclusive of the following types of equipment: medium-duty flat bed, dump and tank trucks, tractor mowers, semi-tractor trailers, semi-trucks, roll-off trucks, small front-end loaders, platform mowers, farm tractors with attachments, tandem dump trucks, bull dozers, pay loaders, large mowers, slope mowers, backhoes, excavators, motor graders, bush hog, garbage compactor, and other similar equipment; may operate a motor grader for ditching, leveling, and smoothing to grade line on maintenance and construction projects.
• Transports workers to work site, participates maintenance work as necessary
• Hauls debris, concrete and asphalt, digs, pushes, piles, and/or loads materials.
• Performs a variety of equipment preventative maintenance duties; cleans, greases, and fuels equipment, and identifies and/or performs basic service and repair work.
• Supports and actively promotes the City’s safety programs. Follows standard operating procedures, observes safety practices and reports or corrects potential safety hazards.
• Performs other construction, repair, maintenance operations related work, and performs manual labor as required by work assignment.
• Sets up work zones to ensure crew safety.
• Perform duties as assigned through work orders.
• Keep basic records; perform computer data entry.
• Provide exceptional customer assistance, problem-solving, and/or complaints by all forms of communication.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Required

• Knowledge of traffic laws, ordinances, and rules governing transporting of equipment and its operation on public streets and highways.
• Knowledge of the functions, operating methods, and routine care/maintenance for standard automotive and construction equipment.
• Knowledge of the hazards of operation and appropriate safety rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of the principles and procedures of excavation, drainage, surfacing, and similar construction work.
• Knowledge of street surfacing materials, including asphalt and aggregates and street paving processes.
• Skill in the operation of assigned equipment in accordance with traffic laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of safe work techniques and practices used in construction.
• Ability to make independent judgments and decisions.
• Knowledge of materials used in the construction and maintenance of utility systems and municipal infrastructure.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with employees and the public.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to make recommendations and to use resourcefulness and tact in solving new problems.
• Ability to ascertain priorities and meet deadlines and objectives.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Knowledge of job-related software as required by Department.
• Ability to work in close, confined spaces, walk, stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, hear, reach above shoulders, work overhead on ladders and platforms, use fingers and hands with dexterity, and feel and reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to perform manual labor, sometimes under unfavorable weather conditions.
• Frequent lifting of 10 to 25 pounds; occasional lifting of up to 80 pounds with assistance.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Performs other related duties as assigned
  
  

Environmental Conditions: Work is primarily performed outside in varying and extreme weather conditions for extended periods of time where employees are exposed to excessively loud noises from construction equipment, exposure to live sewer systems, human debris, drug paraphernalia, hot tar and asphalt, heavy equipment, working in and around trenches, hazardous gases, fumes, paint, chemicals and pesticides. Physical effort is required to perform heavy manual labor in confined and cramped spaces and uncomfortable conditions, climb ladders, bend, reach, and stand for long periods of time. Occasional exposure to slippery and/or uneven surfaces; heights above twenty (20) feet; below ground level, with feet, legs and/or hands in water. Occasional exposure to confined spaces. Subject to 24-hour call back for emergency conditions. Appropriate training and safety equipment will be provided for all conditions.

Equipment Used: Uses and operates a wide variety of office, communication, light, medium, and heavy equipment in support of Public Works field operations, construction, maintenance, and emergency response activities. Serves as an operator of assigned mechanized equipment utilized in construction, alteration, repair, cleaning, and maintenance of public works, roadway, drainage, utility, parks, and facilities projects.

• Computer and standard office software
• Mobile phone, telephone, two-way radio, and related communication devices
• Non-CDL City vehicles and trucks
• Light-duty and medium-duty service vehicles
• Trailers and truck-mounted equipment
• Pumps, auxiliary pumps, generators, air compressors, concrete mixers
• Power valve turners and trenchers
• CDL Dump trucks, tandem dump trucks, flatbed trucks, tank trucks
• CDL Vactor Truck, Street Sweeper, Valve Maintenance Truck
• CDL Boom trucks, Grapple Truck, cranes, roll-off trucks
• Tractors, tractor mowers, large mowers, slope mowers, bush hogs
• Front-end loaders, pay loaders, skid steers
• Backhoes, excavators, motor graders
• CDL Semi-tractors, semi-trailers, tractor-trailer combinations (as assigned)
• Garbage compactors and other similar heavy construction or maintenance equipment
• Concrete saws, jackhammers, chain saws
• Pipe cutters, ratchets, wrenches, saws
• Shovels, sledgehammers, and other common hand tools
  
  

Education and Experience Required: A high school diploma or GED equivalent with some vocational or technical training in equipment maintenance and operations.Two (2) years of experience in operating equipment in the construction, repair, and/or maintenance of public infrastructure or a related field; or an equivalent combination of relevant training, education, and experience.

At the discretion of the City Administrator or designee, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.

Valid Florida Driver License is required or ability to obtain within 30 days of establishing residency in Florida and ability to maintain a valid Florida Driver’s license.

Commercial Driver License (CDL): A Commercial Driver License (CDL) is required for this position. Compensation for CDL licensure is incorporated into salary and incumbent is not eligible for CDL premium pay. Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Commercial Driver's License (CDL A or B), including appropriate endorsements. CDL A preferred.

Pay Grade: 110

City Departments

• Administrative Services
• Human Resources
• Employment Opportunities
• Housing & Community Development Division
• City Administrator
• City Clerk
• Community Redevelopment Agency
• Information Technology
• Finance Department
• Planning & Community Development
• Public Works & Utilities