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Tunnel Operator II

Harris County Toll Road Authority
Houston, TX Full Time
POSTED ON 8/1/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 8/30/2026
Position Description

Prepares and oversees daily work activities. Provides traffic control duties at the Washburn Tunnel entrances ensuring prohibited vehicles including heavy-load trucks, hazardous materials vehicles and oversized vehicles do not enter the tunnel. Responds to and completes vehicle accident reports and helps maintain/clear incident and stall events in the tunnel. Operates, inspects, and maintains tunnel equipment. Performs routine facility upkeep such as cleaning, sanitizing, washing, and sweeping. Operates and maintains construction equipment including pumps, blowers, water trailers, cutters, forklifts, and wrecker.

Duties And Responsibilities

  • Responds to and assists with vehicle stalls, vehicle accidents, pedestrians, hazardous road conditions, and unauthorized vehicles entering the tunnel. Provides safety briefings for tunnel operators to ensure all workers follow safety regulations. Provides on-the-job training to new operators.
  • Monitors control board and regulates equipment. Monitors cameras and equipment status in control room to identify and address issues that may impede optimal traffic flow or pose a security threat. Monitors and enforces all rules and regulations for vehicles traveling through tunnel including heavy load trucks, trailers, wreckers, safety chains, unsafe loads, height and width restrictions, etc.
  • Evaluates problematic systems or facilities and determines if repair services are needed to be performed. Performs routine maintenance as assigned, including cleaning and sanitizing buildings, restrooms, washing, sweeping, watering plants, etc. Inspects and assists in cleaning the tunnel including and servicing tunnel equipment to include lighting, generators, motors, and ventilation systems.
  • Operates, inspects, and maintains tunnel equipment and systems such as ventilation fans, lights, pumps and emergency generator, and auxiliary equipment.
  • Records pumps and transformers readings to compile data concerning quantities of oil used for operation and temperatures during their operation. Records all traffic stops noting start and end times.
  • Operates and maintains equipment including pumps, blowers, water trailers, cutters, forklifts, and wrecker.

Other Duties:

This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

  • High school diploma or GED equivalent from an accredited institution.
  • Valid driver's license (Texas by hire date) and a good driving record.
  • Must undergo physical exam.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Good verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to work well with public and other staff members including training and mentoring.
  • Good computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
  • Ability to lead a small team in the absence of the Lead Operator
  • Knowledge of mechanical maintenance principles.

Physical Demands:

  • Physical ability to perform job duties including walking, bending, climbing stairs, and standing for extended periods of time flagging traffic.
  • Must occasionally lift and/or move at least fifty (50) pounds.

NOTE:Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

General Information

Position Type And Typical Hours Work

  • Rotating 8-hour shifts including weekends and holidays (3 shifts covering mornings, evenings, and graveyard).
  • Emergency situations may require additional hours.

Work Environment:

  • This position works in a control room but also may work in a small confined area (i.e. a traffic monitoring booth).
  • There is exposure to inclement weather, various temperatures, loud noises, high-speed traffic, and dangerous chemicals.

Reporting Relations:

Reports to Position: Lead Operator

Supervises Positions: N/A

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email: ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net

Salary.com Estimation for Tunnel Operator II in Houston, TX
$41,986 to $50,644
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