Tractor Operator

Position Summary 

The Highway Maintenance Technician - Tractor Operator is responsible for operating tractors to maintain vegetation along rural roads and highways. This role plays a crucial part in ensuring safe and clear rights-of-way by providing proper roadside mowing, maintaining visibility, and enhancing aesthetics. In addition to tractor operations, the position assists with general highway maintenance tasks, including debris removal, drainage upkeep, traffic control support, and routine equipment maintenance. The Technician works outdoors in varying weather conditions and follows all safety standards, DOT regulations, and company policies to support the overall asset maintenance program.

Work may include night or weekend shifts and can involve on-call response during storms or emergencies. Candidates must bring a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a commitment to safety. Team members will gain skills, earn certifications, and build a career in highway maintenance while making a positive impact on the communities we serve.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Maintain a strong safety-first mindset in all tasks, following company and regulatory safety protocols to protect yourself, your team, and the traveling public.
• Operate tractors with attachments to maintain vegetation along rural and suburban roadways.
• Operate additional mowing and maintenance equipment, including zero‑turn mowers, mini‑excavators, skid steers, and bush hogs, as assigned.
• Safely operate hand equipment such as trimmers, edgers, pole saws, and blowers to complete roadside vegetation control.
• Apply herbicides in accordance with safety guidelines and licensure requirements.
• Perform roadside maintenance, including ditch and drainage structure cleaning, grading shoulders and slopes, litter and debris removal.
• Support repair activities, including fences, roadway signs, and other general highway maintenance tasks, including emergency response efforts.
• Drive standard shift vehicles to transport equipment, materials, and crew members as required.
• Perform regular care, inspection, and maintenance of assigned equipment; promptly report mechanical issues and needed repairs to management.
• Follow all safety guidelines and company policies, ensuring safe operations in and around traffic and active work zones.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of standard tractor mowing operations, including safe techniques for mowing along roadsides in both rural and suburban areas.
• Be available for on-call duties, storm response, and emergency assignments outside of regular work hours.
• Perform other duties as requested by project leadership.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 

Knowledge

• Competent in the use of a commercial or industrial sized tractors to perform mowing, groundskeeping, or other agricultural land operations with tractor-mounted boom mowers, boom cutters, and/or boom mowers with attachments.
• Proficiency with hand tools (trimmers, edgers, pole saws, blowers) used in roadside and vegetation management. 
• Ability to drive and maneuver standard shift vehicles; CDL preferred. 
• Basic understanding of roadway maintenance tasks such as debris removal, mowing/trimming, simple sign and fence repairs, and basic drainage work.
• Awareness of work zone safety fundamentals, PPE use, and hazard recognition near live traffic. MOT/Flagger concepts are a plus.
• Follow safety procedures, stop work when conditions are unsafe, and use PPE correctly.
• Take direction well, ask clarifying questions, and complete assigned tasks. Use a smartphone or tablet to receive assignments, enter notes, upload photos, and communicate with the crew.
• Perform basic equipment care, such as cleaning tools and reporting defects.
• Strong workplace safety awareness and ability to follow hazard recognition/mitigation practices.
• Effective verbal and written communication to follow work instructions and complete reports

Abilities

• Work independently on basic tasks and as a cooperative member of a crew while prioritizing safety and quality.
• Lift up to 50 lbs. - 60 lbs. safely and repeatedly, regularly carry up to 25 lbs., and perform frequent bending, kneeling, climbing in and out of trucks, and walking on uneven terrain near traffic.
• Work outdoors in all weather, including heat, humidity, rain, and wind, and around dust, noise, vegetation, and roadside debris on varying terrain.
• Adapt to multiple shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, and emergency call-backs during storms.
• Collaborate as part of a field crew and take directions from supervisors while maintaining productivity and safety standards.
• Remain dependable, professional, and drug-free in compliance with company requirements

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:  

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Must be at least 23 years old (per company insurance requirements).
• Must possess an active and valid Florida driver’s license with no restrictions and be able to pass a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check and maintain insurability under company policy.
• Documented experience operating large mowing equipment, including boom mowers and cutters, either tractor-mounted or with attachments) safely in field environments.
• Basic math, reading, and recordkeeping skills to complete work orders and material logs accurately.
• Ability to obtain Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) or Flagger certification within company timelines
• Willing and able to travel within the assigned district and report to different work sites; living within a reasonable response time to the yard is preferred.
• Compliance with the company's Drug and Alcohol Policy; able to pass pre-employment and random testing. A background check and job-related physical may be required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years' experience operating other heavy/light maintenance equipment (e.g. zero-turn mower, skid steer, mini-excavator)
• Previous experience in road maintenance, landscaping, construction, working along rights-of-way
• CDL A or B
• Florida herbicide applicator license and proven experience applying roadside herbicides
• Additional training or certifications in equipment safety, OSA 10/30, or related safety programs.