Heavy Equipment Operator I

St. Johns County residents enjoy a healthy quality of life with many perks including one of the top rated public school systems in the State of Florida, miles of beach shoreline, peaceful estuary scenery of the St. Johns River, long established agriculture and equestrian scene, and the nation’s oldest city, historic St. Augustine. In 2019 St. Johns County was ranked the 10th fastest growing county in the United States showcasing that there is truly something for everyone in St. Johns County!

St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners is seeking qualified Heavy Equipment Operators to join our well‑established Road & Bridge Division, headquartered in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida.

As one of the fastest‑growing counties in the nation, St. Johns County continues to invest in safe, reliable, and efficient infrastructure for residents, businesses, and visitors.

St. Johns County offers participation in the Florida Retirement System (FRS), fourteen paid holidays each year, plus two weeks of paid vacation and two weeks of paid sick time. Uniforms and all PPE are provided, as well as a boot allowance. Training and certifications are strongly supported and provided for by the division.

About Road & Bridge

The Road & Bridge Division is responsible for maintaining county roadways, bridges, and drainage systems. Work includes roadway and pothole repair, sidewalk construction, drainage pipe and structure maintenance, ditch excavation, tree trimming and removal, roadside mowing, and other essential infrastructure tasks. Safety is our top priority, and employees work cooperatively as part of maintenance crews to complete work in a safe, effective, and professional manner.

Heavy Equipment Operators support these operations by safely and efficiently operating a variety of heavy equipment, performing manual labor, maintaining equipment, and contributing to the overall success of the division.

Position Overview

The Heavy Equipment Operator works independently and as part of a crew to maintain St. Johns County’s roads, bridges, and drainage systems. Operators must competently operate a Tandem Axle Dump Truck and two pieces of equipment associated with their classification level.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Equipment Operation:

• Competently operates a Tandem Axle Dump Truck and two pieces of equipment determined by the operational level:
  • HEO I: Tractor and 10-ft Mower, Front-end Loader, Backhoe, Mini Excavator
  • HEO II: Wheeled Excavator, Medium Tracked Excavator, Bulldozer,15-ft Bat-Wing Mower (HEO I requirements plus two of these).
  • HEO III: Mow-Trim, Spyder/Menzi-Muck, or Motor Grader (HEO I and II plus two of these).

Equipment Maintenance:

• Operates, maintains, inspects, lubricates, and makes minor repairs on assigned equipment. Assist supervisors with scheduling maintenance.

Reporting:

• Maintains detailed usage reports, including pre/post-trip equipment inspections.

Manual Labor:

• Performs road construction and maintenance tasks using hand and power tools.

Construction Support:

• Establishes grades for projects and may review site plans for construction.

Safety & Traffic :

• Follows safety guidelines, installs safe work zones, and flags traffic.

Training:

• Attends required safety training and must complete 160 hours of equipment operation to advance skills on less familiar equipment.

Collaboration:

• Shares operational knowledge with operators.

Emergency Response:

• May participate in on-call duty for after-hours emergencies and is subject to recall for essential operations outside regular duties.
• Maintains a full-time presence on the job.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or equivalent.

Licensure :

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with any endorsements required to legally operate assigned vehicles and equipment.
• Heavy Equipment Operator I: Class B CDL
• Heavy Equipment Operator II: Class A CDL
• Heavy Equipment Operator III: Class A CDL

Heavy Equipment Operator I - Pay Grade 11

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience operating construction, roadway maintenance, or related heavy equipment or successful completion of the required practical skills assessment test.
• Demonstrated proficiency operating a Tandem Axle Dump Truck and at least two (2) of the following: Tractor with 10-foot Mower, Front-end Loader, Backhoe, Mini Excavator (under 20,000 pounds), or Skid Steer.

Heavy Equipment Operator II – Pay Grade 12

• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience operating heavy equipment, including complex equipment used in construction, roadway maintenance, or related operations or successful completion of the required practical skills assessment test.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the equipment competencies required for Heavy Equipment Operators I and II, plus at least two (20 of the following: Mow-Trim, Spyder/Menzi-Muck, or Motor Grader

Heavy Equipment Operator III – Pay Grade 13

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience operating heavy equipment, including complex equipment used in construction, roadway maintenance, or related operations or successful completion of the required practical skills assessment test.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the equipment competencies required for Heavy Equipment Operators I and II, plus at least two (2) of the following: Mow-Trim, Spyder/Menzi-Muck, or Motor Grader.
• Must be able to accurately complete work orders and vehicle inspection reports and perform basic mathematical calculations, including determining material weights, volumes, slopes, and grades.
• Must possess good interpersonal and communication skills to serve others.
• Must be able to comprehend, speak and write the English language.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Knowledge of departmental and county policies and procedures, including safety rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of vehicle and equipment maintenance and operation procedures.
• Knowledge of road construction materials, principles, tools and practices.
• Skill in the operation of a variety of vehicles and motorized equipment.
• Skill in the use of assigned tools.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS

• Working Conditions may include some exposure to environmental changes (e.g., outdoor weather and/or field conditions, warehouses, garages, etc.), extreme noises, odors, heights and/or dust.
• Physical Activity may include sitting, walking, lifting heavy objects up to 25lbs, kneeling, crouching, reaching, or standing.

Salary Range:

Salary is determined based on your experience and education. If selected for this role, a comprehensive compensation review will be completed prior to extending an offer.

Please include detailed information about your experience and education in your application materials.

Compensation Grade:

Department:

Location:

St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners is a drug free workplace and equal opportunity employer. All employment actions are taken without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, handicap, disability, marital status, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE . Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.

An applicant eligible for Veteran's Preference who believes he or she was not afforded employment preferences in accordance with Florida law may file a complaint requesting an investigation with the Florida department of veterans affairs. Veteran's Preference Coordinator, 11351 Ulmerton Road, Suite 311, Largo, FL 33778. A complaint must be filed within 60 calendar days from the date that the notice of hiring decision is received by the applicant or within three calendar months of the date of the application is filed within the employer if no notice is given. If no notice is given, it is the responsibility of the preferred applicant to contact the employer to determine if the position has been filled.