Heavy Equipment Operator

Salary: $25.45 - $34.34 Hourly
Location : Watonwan County Public Works, 1304 7th Ave S, St. James, MN
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-18
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 09/08/2026


Nature of Work


This is manual and skilled work in the operation of highway maintenance equipment and the performance of a variety of related maintenance tasks on County roads and highways.

Work involves responsibility for the safe and efficient operation of varied heavy equipment and as well as the performance of manual tasks. Work may include lead work responsibilities as assigned in assuming responsibility for the work of a small crew of other maintenance personnel. Work is performed according to standard procedures or general rules under limited supervision of senior staff.

Essential Functions


Operates motor patrol grader to plow snow in winter. Blades and maintains gravel roads and shoulders in summer. Loads or moves gravel and other road construction materials with front-end loader or backhoe. May operate a variety of heavy equipment when assigned (e.g. dragline, bulldozer, etc.). May operate light to medium equipment or drive a dump truck when assigned. Visually inspects roads to assess and report the need for maintenance.

Performs bridge maintenance and culvert and tile repair. Performs a variety of manual tasks related to highway maintenance, such as patching holes in roads, crack filling, cleaning ditches and digging out frostboils. May operate a variety of handtools, such as chainsaws, packers, jackhammers and posthole augers.

Performs general repair work and routine maintenance on equipment and vehicles such as oil change, greasing and belt change. Performs shop maintenance and other related tasks in County garages. Maintains daily logs related to time spent on specific jobs and vehicle logs for maintenance and repair. Performs other work as assigned.

Responsible to observe all Watonwan County safety and health rules and to apply the principles of accident prevention in day-to-day duties. Required to submit to and pass pre-employment, random and post-accident DOT drug and alcohol testing.



Desirable Qualifications

Training and Experience
Requires a valid Minnesota Class B Commercial Driver's License, and ability to obtain Class A CDL within 6 months. (Assistance is available.) Requires considerable experience in road maintenance and construction work, and experience operating highway and heavy equipment.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills
Knowledge of the operating characteristics, and maintenance requirements of assigned equipment. Knowledge of the work hazards and applicable safety precautions associated with assigned equipment and operations. Ability to assist in both minor and major repairs on equipment assigned. Knowledge of the applicable traffic laws, ordinances and regulations involved in the operation of assigned equipment.


Ability to follow oral and written instructions. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, engineers, contractors, county officials and the general public.

Ability to work under a variety of weather conditions. Ability to lift at least 80 pounds from ground level to chest height. Physical agility to climb, balance, stoop, exert force and perform other bodily movements to sufficiently operate the required equipment and tools.

- Insurance and retirement benefits add a minimum value of $9.50 to $15.65/hour.
- Pay rate is minimum, depending on qualifications, with up to 2 pay increases per year.
- $350 clothing allowance per year.
- $250 boot allowance.


Must be able to report to the St. James or delegated shop at the assigned time.
2025 WATONWAN COUNTY BENEFITS

VACATION - 16 days first year
SICK LEAVE - 13 days per year
HOLIDAYS - 11.5 holidays

HEALTH PLAN/FLEXIBLE BENEFIT PLANS:
Minnesota Healthcare Consortium - Medica
HSA Qualified Plans with choice of Medica Passport network, or Mayo Accountable Care Organization. County contributes to a VEBA or HSA to cover out-of-pocket costs.
Single, Employee + Children, Employee + Spouse and Family plans available.


LIFE INSURANCE - $15,000 policy paid by County


RETIREMENT - Public Employees Retirement Coordinated Plan
Employee contribution - 6.5%
County contribution - 7.5%


OPTIONAL BENEFITS (certain items can be purchased pre-tax):
- Dental Insurance - Vision Insurance
- Short-Term Disability Insurance - Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Supplemental Life Insurance - Health Savings Account if HSA Plan
- Dependent Care Reimbursement Account - Health Care Reimbursement Account
- Accident Insurance - Hospital Care Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Deferred Compensation - pre/post-tax investment plans
01


In order to be considered for employment, I understand it is necessary to make a check of my driving record and background. I hereby give my permission for such a check by providing my driver's license number and date of birth.

• Yes
• No

02


Driver's License #
03


Date of Birth
04


If I am selected for the position, I understand that I must successfully complete a USDOT pre-employment drug screening as required by 49 CFR Part 655.41. I further understand that a verified negative drug test result must be obtained by the employer prior to performance of any safety-sensitive function, as defined by 49 CFR Part 655.4.

• Yes
• No

05


Have you tested positive, or refused to test, on any pre-employment drug or alcohol test administered by an employer to which you applied for, but did not obtain, safety-sensitive transportation work covered by USDOT agency drug and alcohol testing rules during the past two years?

• Yes
• No

06


If yes, have you been evaluated by a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) as required by 49 CFR Part 40, Subpart O (40.285)? (Note: A written report from the SAP is required.)

• Yes
• No

07


If yes, did you complete USDOT's Return-to-Duty process, including follow-up testing, as required by 49 CFR Part 40, Subpart O? (Note: A written report from the SAP is required.)

• Yes
• No

08


Within the last 10 years, how many years of experience do you have in performing highway or street maintenance or construction?

• No experience
• Less than 6 months
• 6 months to less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years or more

09


Within the last 10 years, how many years of experience do you have in snow and ice removal?

• No experience
• Less than 6 months
• 6 months to less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years or more

10


Within the last 10 years, how many years of experience do you have in repair and/or maintenance of drainage tiles and ditches?

• No experience
• Less than 6 months
• 6 months to less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years or more

11


Within the last 10 years, how many years of experience do you have as a truck driver in any industry?

• No experience
• Less than 6 months
• 6 months to less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years or more

12


Please rate your skill level in operating the following equipment?Motor Grader:

• No experience
• Beginner, minimal skills
• Intermediate, moderate skills
• Advanced, highly skilled

13


Backhoe/Excavator:

• No experience
• Beginner, minimal skills
• Intermediate, moderate skills
• Advanced, highly skilled

14


Bulldozer:

• No experience
• Beginner, minimal skills
• Intermediate, moderate skills
• Advanced, highly skilled

15


Front-end Loader:

• No experience
• Beginner, minimal skills
• Intermediate, moderate skills
• Advanced, highly skilled

16


Tractor Trailer

• No experience
• Beginner, minimal skills
• Intermediate, moderate skills
• Advanced, highly skilled

Required Question