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Heavy Equipment Operator

North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND Full Time
POSTED ON 7/28/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 11/25/2026

Description & Details:

Responsible for performing semi-skilled and unskilled manual work in the operation of the department; operate mowers, dump trucks, skid steers, loaders, forklifts and a variety of other light and heavy equipment and vehicles; perform semi-skilled work such as loading and unloading material with the use of powered equipment; perform unskilled manual work including the use of hand tools, pesticide and fertilizer applicators, snow blowers, tillers, lawn mowers; provide supervision and training of seasonal and part-time employees; perform unskilled labor duties, as needed and other duties as assigned to the department to include snow removal, delivery, mail truck, removal of solid waste, turf grass management and general support for other areas within Facilities Management.

Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm / working hours seasonally modified

Hiring Range: $50,000 - $52,500

Pay is based on several factors, including budget, labor market, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and/or certification and other business considerations.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • High School Diploma or GED.
  • Two years related work experience using equipment and vehicles (i.e., tandem and single axel trucks, loaders, tractors, skid steers, and other grounds maintenance equipment).
  • One-year related work experience in maintaining and repairing equipment.
  • Related work experience in pesticide application.
  • One-year related work experience in grounds maintenance.
  • One-year of supervisory responsibility of three or more employees, or two or more years of grounds maintenance responsibility, which may lend itself to being considered a lead worker position.

Minimum Licenses/Certifications:

  • North Dakota Class “B” Driver’s License with air brake endorsement or equivalent must be in place, upon hire.
  • North Dakota Pesticide Application certification – Ground Core, Ornamental/Turf obtained within 6 months of hiring.

Core Competencies:

  • Motorized heavy equipment (e.g. front end loader, forklift, mail truck, sanitation truck, tandem and single axle trucks, tractors, skid steer loaders, front deck mowers, trimmers, blowers, power brooms, pesticide sprayers, etc).
  • Computer skills

Applicant Materials Required: Cover Letter and Resume


Our commitment to caring for our employees isn’t just words—it’s proven. In NDSU’s most recent Gallup Engagement Survey, our strengths centered on care and development. My supervisor, or someone at work, cares about me as a person and I have the opportunities to learn and grow”, were noted as top drivers. This reflects the culture you’ll experience here.

NDSU OFFERS OUTSTANDING BENEFITS!

Join a workplace that invests in your well-being, your future, and your success.

Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits:

Health & Wellness

  • 100% employer-paid health insurance premiums for single and family coverage
  • Choice of PPO/Basic or High Deductible Health Plan with HSA
  • Coverage begins the first of the month after your hire date
  • Wellness incentives for healthy lifestyle participation

Exceptional Retirement Plan

  • Employer retirement contributions ranging from 7.5% up to an impressive 12.26%, depending on position
    (One of the strongest retirement packages in the region!) - Your future is a priority, and it shows.

Time Away & Support

  • Generous annual leave, sick leave, and 10 paid holidays
  • Employee Assistance Program for confidential support
  • Supportive work-life balance

Education Benefits That Grow With You

  • Tuition waivers for employees (up to three classes per calendar year)
  • 50% tuition waiver for spouse/partner and dependents

Additional Optional Benefits

  • Supplemental Life, Dental, Vision, Long-Term Care
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (Health & Dependent Care)
  • Supplemental Retirement Plans

Explore Full Benefit Details:

Benefits | Human Resources | NDSU

About Us:

North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. We educate leaders who solve national and global challenges by providing affordable access to an excellent education that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment.

NDSU is in the highest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, R1, granted to the top research institutions in the country.

NDSU has offices across the state of North Dakota, and the main campus is in Fargo, on the Minnesota border. Along with Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo forms one of the largest metropolitan centers between Minneapolis and Seattle. The community is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live.

NDSU is committed to fostering a community where differences are recognized as strengths. Rooted in our land-grant mission, we work together to meet the needs of North Dakota and its communities through education, research and outreach.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

NDSU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable. Direct inquiries to: Vice Provost, Title IX/ADA Coordinator, Old Main 201, NDSU Main Campus, Fargo, ND, 58108, 701-231-7708, ndsu.eoaa@ndsu.edu.

No Smoking Notice:

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.

Veteran’s Preference Notice:

This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran’s Preference requirements.

Reasonable Accommodation Information:

North Dakota State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at 701-231-8961 or ndsu.hr@ndsu.edu.

Salary : $50,000 - $52,500

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