Equipment Operator

Position Information Join the Texas Department of Transportation as an Equipment Operator and play a vital role in maintaining and improving the state's transportation system. This position operates a variety of heavy equipment to perform roadway maintenance, emergency response, and construction support activities while ensuring safe and efficient operations. Responsibilities include operating and maintaining heavy equipment, assisting with traffic control, performing preventive maintenance inspections, and supporting emergency operations during severe weather events and other incidents. Candidates must possess a valid Texas Commercial Driver License (CDL) at the time of application and be committed to safety, teamwork, and delivering quality service to the traveling public. Minimum Salary: 45,521.00. Maximum Salary: 71,055.00. Pay Basis: Yearly. FLSA Status: Nonexempt. Work Locations: Galveston County Ae/Maint, 5407 GULF FREEWAY, La Marque 77568. Travel: Yes, 10% of the Time. Shift: Day Job Shift Details: 40 Hrs./Week; 7:00 am - 3:30 pm. Location Flexibility: Onsite. Benefits and Perks At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including: Retirement Plans Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules Paid Leave and Holidays Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees On-the-Job Training Tuition Assistance Program Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives Career Development and Advancement Opportunities Family-Friendly Policies and Programs In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance. Position Description Performs complex transportation maintenance work operating heavy equipment such as a tractor-trailer haul truck, motor grader, large excavator, heavy bulldozer, crane, herbicide truck, heavy asphalt paving machine, self-propelled asphalt distributor, profiling/milling machine, and dump truck. Work requires contact with private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor. Essential Duties Operates light equipment such as a front-end loader one and a quarter cubic yard or less, pneumatic roller, rotary broom, spreader box, backhoe, street sweeper, and mower. Operates one or more types of complex heavy equipment such as tractor-trailer haul truck, motor grader, large excavator, heavy bulldozer, crane, herbicide truck, heavy asphalt paving machine, self-propelled asphalt profiling/milling machine and dump truck. Performs preventive maintenance inspections (PMI), routine servicing and minor repairs on equipment; as required uses/moves equipment/tools, materials and products related to these activities to include tires and equipment attachments. Operates tractor-trailer haul trucks to relocate heavy and light equipment including loading, securing, and unloading equipment on haul trailers in compliance with federal, state, and Department motor vehicle laws, regulations, and standards. Operates heavy equipment such as a front-end loader one and a half cubic yards or more, large dragline, shovel, and paint stripper. Operates heavy equipment performing highly complex transportation maintenance and roadway repairs. May coordinate equipment operations for daily work assignments. Sands or cleans bridges and roads, posting warning signs, helping the public, and performing other work as directed during emergency situations such as floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, snowstorms, accidents and hazardous material spills. Performs other job responsibilities as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Education: No education required. Experience: 1 year experience in maintenance and/or construction equipment operation. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent). Related college education or relevant technical training may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis. Licenses and Certifications Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle. Must have a valid Texas Commercial Driver's License for equipment operation at time of application Competencies Considerable knowledge of: Applicable industry safety standards, guidelines, and specification codes Some knowledge of: The Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices Proficient skill in: Prioritizing and organizing work assignments Using applicable hand and power tools, equipment, and mechanical devices of the trade Operating light and heavy highway equipment Physical Requirements and Working Conditions Subject to environmental conditions; protection from weather but not temperature changes Subject to outside environmental conditions; no effective weather protection Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions Subject to extreme cold and heat; below 32 and/or above 100 degrees for more than one hour Subject to noise Subject to vibration Subject to hazards - moving vehicles/mechanical parts, high places/heat, or chemicals Subject to atmospheric conditions - fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, poor ventilation Subject to air and/or skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids Required to wear protective gear - respirator, hard hat, or other devices Works frequently in small/crawl spaces; manholes; areas that can cause claustrophobia Works in narrow aisles or passageways Sedentary work: Lift up to 10 lbs. at a time and occasionally carry files/small tools Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs. at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs. Medium work: Lift up to 50 lbs. at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 25 lbs. Climbing - ascending/descending ladders, stairs, scaffoldings, ramps, etc. Balancing - walking, standing, crouching on various surfaces without falling Stooping - bending body downward and forward by bending spine at waist Kneeling - bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee(s) Crouching - bending body downward and forward by bending leg(s) and spine Crawling - moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet Reaching - extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction Standing - prolonged periods of time Walking - moving on foot to accomplish tasks: long distance/from one work site to another Pushing - using upper extremities to press against object with force to move in a direction Pulling - using upper extremities to exert force moving objects in a sustained motion Lifting - raising objects from lower to higher position/horizontally to a different position Fingering - picking, pinching, typing; working primarily with fingers rather than whole hand Grasping - applying pressure to an object with fingers and palm Feeling - determining size, shape, temperature or texture of objects Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words Hearing - perceive sound at normal speaking levels; receive information by oral communication Repetitive Motion - substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers Close Visual Acuity - work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading Close Visual Acuity - work includes visual inspection of small defects/parts Close Visual Acuity - using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts Visual Acuity - operate machines, such as drill presses, power saws, and mills Visual Acuity - operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment Visual Acuity - determine work quality/make general observations of facilities/structures Conditions of Employment This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical. Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing. Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize medical marijuana under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position. Must be able to report for duty within 60 minutes of notification on a 24-hour basis to respond to emergency situations. Job Maint/Skilled Craft/Ferry Ops Schedule Full-time Employee Status Regular Job Type Standard Job Level Non-Management Job Posting Sep 2, 2026, 2:39:51 AM Unposting Date Sep 17, 2026, 4:59:00 AM State Job Title/s Equipment Operator I State Job Code/s: 9026 Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category. Applicant Information The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990. #J-18808-Ljbffr