Demo

Equipment Operator (Full Time)

Memphis Zoo
Memphis Zoo Salary
Memphis, TN Full Time
POSTED ON 4/8/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/8/2026
Job Details

Description

Summary:

The Equipment Operator operates and drives various types of motorized lift equipment and heavy vehicles, including tractors, backhoes, front end loaders, dump trucks, and trash trucks. May also include forklifts and front skid steer loaders. The position also assists with completing general maintenance duties on equipment and vehicles.

Essential Job Functions

  • Responsible for the safe operation of various types of motorized lift equipment and vehicles.
  • Perform routine inspection and general maintenance on vehicles such as fueling, lubrication, washing. checking oil, water, and tires.
  • Operate tractors to load materials such as dirt and rocks.
  • Operate backhoe and front end loaders as required.
  • Drive and operate packer, bobcat, front-end-loader, and transport collected heavy debris to transfer station or dump site.
  • Operate trash trucks including hydraulic equipment such as tail gates, hoppers, and packers.
  • Ensure proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies; promotes continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices.
  • Maintain all required certifications required by DOT and OSHA and company safety programs.
  • Communicate with others immediately when responding to an incident or an emergency.
  • Must complete training & obtain valid Forklift Certification within 30 days of hire.

Minimum Education/Experience

  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • 1 year of relevant experience, or any equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to do the job.
  • Previous work experience operating and servicing vehicles or machinery.

Preferred Education/Experience

  • Valid Commercial's Driver's License.
  • Valid Forklift Certification.

Required Skills

  • Ability to operate heavy equipment.
  • Knowledge of light and heavy equipment operation and maintenance.
  • Ability to use hand and power tools applicable to trade.
  • Knowledge of basic vehicle inspection and maintenance including tire pressure, checking oil and water levels.
  • Ability to read, understand, follow, and enforce safety procedures.

Competencies

  • Critical Thinking.
  • Equipment Operation.
  • Hand Tool Proficiency.
  • Maintenance Planning & Scheduling.
  • Problem Solving/Analysis.
  • Safety Awareness.
  • Technical and Mechanical Acumen.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Reporting Structure: Reports to Facility Maintenance Manager.

Position Type/Expected Hours Of Work

Full-time positions are defined as positions scheduled to work approximately 40 hours a week. Scheduling is at the discretion of the manager. This position regularly requires flexible hours including weekdays, holidays, and weekends.

This position is considered non-exempt under the federal and state wage and hour laws.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of the job, the employee will frequently work in outdoor settings (Zoo grounds). When outdoors this position is required to work in various weather conditions including rain, humidity, and extreme heat or cold.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is constantly required to use hands and fingers to feel, handle or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Other Duties

Please note 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 job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Other Requirements

  • 21 years or older.
  • Clear background check.
  • Clear drug screening.
  • Valid driver's license.
  • Clear MVR screening.
  • Proof of current automobile insurance.

Benefits & Perks

The Memphis Zoo has a comprehensive benefits and employee perks package. Please see our Memphis Zoo Careers page for details.

EEOC And Inclusion Statement

The Memphis Zoo believes that human diversity is as important as the biodiversity we seek to conserve. World-class zoos are comprised of world-class team members representing a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, and veterans to apply.

The Memphis Zoo is an equal-opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. If you need to request any accommodations for the interview or hiring process, please let the Human Resources team (HR) know. HR can be contacted at hrteam@memphiszoo.org.

The Memphis Zoo participates in E-Verify and is an EEO/ADA/Veteran employer.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of pre-employment screening. Memphis Zoo is a drug-free workplace.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

How To Apply

Applications should be submitted via the Memphis Zoo Careers page. Please note that any other application submissions will not be considered. www.memphiszoo.org/careers.

Salary.com Estimation for Equipment Operator (Full Time) in Memphis, TN
$39,351 to $51,091
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Equipment Operator (Full Time)?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Equipment Operator (Full Time) career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$43,603 - $55,670
Income Estimation: 
$53,120 - $69,174
Income Estimation: 
$50,113 - $64,377
Income Estimation: 
$61,656 - $78,069
Income Estimation: 
$59,875 - $77,824
Income Estimation: 
$46,327 - $63,969
Income Estimation: 
$69,651 - $95,335
Income Estimation: 
$52,573 - $74,196
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Memphis Zoo

  • Memphis Zoo Memphis, TN
  • Job Details Description Summary: The Zookeeper is primarily responsible for daily husbandry of a collection of animals as it relates to their physiological... more
  • 10 Days Ago

  • Memphis Zoo Memphis, TN
  • Summary: The Visitor Services Team Member is responsible for processing General Admission and Memphis Zoo membership sales as well as providing visitor ass... more
  • 15 Days Ago

  • Memphis Zoo Memphis, TN
  • Summary: The Craft Technician is responsible for general maintenance work on Zoo facilities and structures. The Memphis Zoo operates on 76-acre campus with... more
  • 15 Days Ago

  • Memphis Zoo Memphis, TN
  • Summary: Are you an enthusiastic, diligent, and safety-conscious individual who is passionate about contributing to a fun and secure environment? If so, we... more
  • 15 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Equipment Operator (Full Time) jobs in the Memphis, TN area that may be a better fit.

  • Moody Equipment, Inc. Jonesboro, AR
  • Worker will be required to perform a variety of duties found in SOC Code 45-2091 Agricultural Equipment Operator such as: Observe and listen to machinery o... more
  • 5 Days Ago

  • Milwaukee Tool Byhalia, MS
  • Job Description Equipment Operator Monday- Friday 1st shift 6:00 AM- 2:00 PM At Milwaukee Tool we firmly believe that our People and our Culture are the se... more
  • 15 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!