Equipment Operator - Traffic

The Equipment Operator is an entry-level, skilled position that performs quality manual labor and operation of both light and heavy equipment to complete a wide range of maintenance activities on City infrastructure.  Typical job duties may include but are not limited to: reconstructing and maintaining City streets, bridges, alleys, and paths (including bituminous and concrete work); maintaining sanitary sewers and storm sewers and flood control structures; installing and repairing parking meter posts and traffic control devices such as street signs and pavement markings; performing snow and ice control during winter months (must be available for call-in during off hours in the case of inclement weather); performing safety operations and completing other duties as assigned.

Basic types of equipment that Equipment Operators may operate include, but are not limited to tandem and single axle snow plow trucks, street sweepers, wheel loaders, skid loaders, jackhammers, air compressors, spray patcher, crack sealer, walk-behind paint machines, pavement marking grinders, augers, fork lifts, truck-mounted cranes, various hand tools and related equipment.  More experienced operators may operate grader, paver, distributor, water tanker/flusher, excavator, dozer and paint striping trucks.

2026 starting wage:

• $29.60 - $31.55 per hour based on experience

Benefits–This position is eligible for benefits offered by the City of Rochester. Please check out the benefits tab at the top of the page for more details.

The work below is representative of the scope of work performed within this job classification. Individual job duties will vary based on work assignment. 

*Install and maintain street sign and parking meters

• Create street signs using design software and fabricate signs.
• Determine correct location for the placement of traffic control devices; utilize Gopher State One Call for underground utility locates.
• Repair, remove and replace street signs, parking meters and traffic control devices; refurbish/recycle devices as applicable.
• Install street signs, parking meters and other traffic control devices using various mounting supports and installation procedures.
• Maintain necessary records of the installation, removal and repair of traffic control devices.

*Pavement markings installation and maintenance

• Assist the Traffic Operations Technician with field layouts for pavement markings.
• Install long-lines and symbols pavement markings (crosswalks, bike lane markings, turn arrows, parking lines, etc.)
• Operate pavement marking grinder to remove pavement markings as needed.

*Infrastructure construction and maintenance

• Repair and maintain bituminous streets including milling, paving, hand patching, seal coating, crack filling, adjusting surface utilities (manholes) etc.
• Repair and maintain concrete streets, curbs, and sidewalks including joint re-sealing, spot repair, panel replacement, etc.
• Clean and repair sanitary and storm infrastructure; i.e. reconstructing pipes, reconstructing and cleaning manholes, catch basins, storm water structures
• Operate street sweepers, directional brooms and flusher trucks for routine sweeping and fall leaf sweeping.
• Repair and maintain structures in the right of way including street signs, mailboxes, guard rails, etc.
• Perform preventative maintenance and/or minor repair to City equipment; i.e. cleaning, greasing, etc.

*Perform snow and ice control

• Operate equipment to plow streets and sidewalks including application of snow/ice melt chemicals.
• Remove snow in the Central Business District as needed (this is generally completed during overnight hours to cause the least disruption to the public)
• Be available for call-in during off hours, weekends and holidays, in the case of inclement weather events.

*Construct and maintain flood and storm drainage facilities

• Remove sediment, debris, trees, etc from storm drainage facilities.
• Install rip rap, seed blankets, and other erosion control measures.
• Install, repair, and maintain storm sewer pipes.
• Install, repair, and maintain chain link fence, guard rails, grates, etc. around drainage structures.
• Mow, cut down and spray weeds and/or small trees around storm water facilities and/or right of way.

*Repair and maintain bridges and flood control structures

• Flush and clean bridge decks, sidewalks, medians, expansion joints, etc.
• Perform concrete repairs.
• Install, repair and maintain railings, fences, guardrails, etc.
• Remove obstructions from waterways, clear intake grates, clear outlet pipes, etc.

*Perform safety operations

• Set up and remove temporary traffic control according to regulatory standards.
• Inspect and maintain assigned equipment in accordance with proper safety requirements including DOT pre/post trip inspections.
• Perform flagging and traffic control operations.
• Log and report all unsafe conditions, maintenance needs, etc. to supervisor

*Miscellaneous duties and responsibilities

• Collaborate with supervisor on infrastructure and traffic maintenance needs.
• Wash and clean equipment and facility buildings.
• Perform other related duties as assigned

* ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONSEducation and Experience
High school diploma or equivalent and two (2) years full-time equivalent employment experience operating and maintaining heavy construction equipment weighing over five tons

Licenses and Certifications
A Class A commercial driver's license (CDL) with air brake and tanker endorsements is required within 90 days of hire as a condition of continued employment.

Desirable Qualifications
Five (5) years progressive experience in the highway construction field operating heavy equipment.
Three (3) years full-time experience constructing and repairing bituminous or concrete pavement.*THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY THE CITY'S RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM
Employees in this position are required to use respiratory equipment and the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements in administering this program.

*THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY THE CITY'S HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM
Employees in this position are required to use hearing protection and the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements in administering this program.

*THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY THE CITY OF ROCHESTER DRUG TESTING POLICY
The drug and alcohol testing policies and procedures of the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements, including Minnesota Statutes 181.950 through 181.957; the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988; and/or the US Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

*Pre-employment and/or periodic testing may be required.

THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY PUBLIC WORKS' RESPONSE TIME REQUIREMENT:
Public Works employees currently in the position or individuals hired for this position must reside within an area which will allow them to report for work within thirty (30) minutes from the time notified. Those who do not currently meet this requirement shall be allowed no more than twelve (12) months after the date that they were hired to fill the position to meet this requirement. Promotions to positions may be withheld from employees whose residence would prevent them from meeting the thirty (30) minutes response time.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.

In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below:

Frequent demands: standing; walking; lifting; carrying; pushing/pulling; balancing; stooping; kneeling; crouching; crawling; twisting; bending; foot controls; fine dexterity; and simultaneous use of the hand, wrist and fingers.

Occasional demands: sitting; reaching; handling; and climbing.

Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: sight, hearing, and touch.

Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential functions of this job include:
Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)
Noise (need to shout in order to be heard)
Vibration (exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities of whole body)
Exposure to dust/gas/fumes/steam/chemicals
Work outdoors (no effective protection from weather)
Walk on uneven ground (gravel, rocks, mounds, construction sites)
Working around moving machinery (fork-lifts, tractors, mowers)
Protective equipment required (respirator, mask, earplugs, gloves, eyewear, etc.)