Heavy Equipment Operator I, 204, Water Treatment

Salary: $17.37 Hourly
Location : Laredo, TX
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: B254120-14
Department: Utilities (41/42)
Division: Water Treatment
Opening Date: 08/15/2025
Closing Date: Continuous


Job Description
Operates light heavy equipment, including 18 wheel vehicles and small tractors. Repairs City utilities, lays pipelines, and performs other maintenance and excavation work requiring heavy equipment operation.

Essential Functions/ Job Competencies/ Physical Requirements
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Operates backhoe, graders, and loaders to install, replace, and maintain streets and roads, water utility lines, mains, meters, valves, etc.
• Cuts and fits pipes above or below ground to specifications necessary to install or repair water lines; assembles the pipe system; installs or replaces manholes, valves, tees, bends, and crosses.
• Raises, lowers, or moves water lines as needed.
• Removes sludge from treatment plants utilizing specialized injector tractor; monitors solid buildup and pumps sludge into injecting vehicle.
• Performs basic maintenance on equipment and tools including washing, changing oil, and greasing.
• Operates front end loader to pick up debris during construction projects; assists in performing unskilled or semi-skilled labor such as digging ditches, covering ditches, pouring concrete, mowing, and/or trimming trees and shrubs.
• Will be required to drive a City vehicle for City business use.
• Performs related work as required.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of safe operations of heavy equipment .
• Knowledge of geography of the City including major streets and landmarks.
• Knowledge of preventive maintenance procedures.
• Knowledge of traffic rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of vehicles and equipment.

Skills and Abilities:

• Skill in organization and time management.
• Skill in performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to meet schedules and deadlines of the work.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries.
• Ability to operate heavy equipment.
• Ability to follow oral and written instruction.
• Ability to maintain accurate and complete records.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain good planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to take and follow directions from supervisor.
• Ability to give directions to and gain compliance from assigned staff.
• Ability to perform strenuous work and routine work.
• Ability to maintain a valid Texas Driver License and a good driving record.
• Ability to project a positive and professional image of the City of Laredo.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing in the English language and orally in the Spanish language.
• Ability to comply with all City of Laredo's policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain good health and physical condition sufficient to permit the full performance of the duties of this position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Physical Effort Requirements
Position will have the following exposures

• Office or similar indoor environment, relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.
• Occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Occasional outside work.
• Frequent exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Majority of work performed outside or with exposure to risk.
• Exerting up to 35 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.
• Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.

Work Environment Locations
Position will require the employee to work in the following types of work environments


Seldom

• Office or similar indoor environment

Frequently

• Street environment (near moving traffic)
• Confined space
• Vehicles
• Warehouse environment

Often

• Outdoor environment
• Construction site

Exposures
Position will require the employee to be exposed to the following environmental elements


Seldom

• Individuals who are hostile or irate
• Individuals with known violent backgrounds

Sometimes

• Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
• Communicable diseases

Frequently

• Fumes or airborne particles
• Toxic or caustic chemicals or substances

Never

• Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)
• Moving mechanical parts
• Loud noises (85+ decibels such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, construction)

Travel
Position will require the employee to travel


Never:

• Regional travel
• National travel
• International travel

Frequently

• Local travel

Minimum Qualifications
Required Education and Experience

• At Least two (2) years of experience as a heavy equipment operator.

Valid Licenses and Certifications
Required Licenses or Certifications

• A valid Texas Commercial Driver License (CDL) class A or B is required and a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record. If applicant holds an out-of-state license, a State of Texas Driver License must be obtained within 6 months of employment.

As part of the minimum requirements for all positions with the City of Laredo, a thorough background check and certified school transcripts will be required from all applicants who are offered employment.
Effective February 24, 1997, all selected applicants are required to undergo a drug and alcohol test prior to employment.
Effective January 7, 2008, all persons in safety-sensitive functions/positions, as per City of Laredo Drug and Alcohol Policy definition, shall be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
A person with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation related to a selection process is requested to contact the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io two days prior to the scheduled interview and/or test if applicable.
City of Laredo is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled and Veteran Employer. We welcome differences in the form of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, geography, socioeconomic status, age, politics, religion, philosophy, sexual orientation, or gender identity. All applicants who share this goal are encouraged to apply. Must be able to function in a principle-based organization that has a culture built on character and core values.
The City of Laredo provides a benefit compensation package that includes the following for all Full-time regular employees:

• 10 days of paid vacation per year
• 6 1/2 days sick leave per year
• Pension plan
• 16 paid Holidays
• Paid health *
• Dental plan *
• Life insurance *

*30 day waiting period

For a full description of our benefits, please visit our website at: under Employee Benefits
01


Are you a current regular full-time or part-time City of Laredo employee?

• I am a full-time City of Laredo employee
• I am a part-time City of Laredo
• I am not a full-time or part-time City of Laredo employee

02


How many years of heavy equipment experience do you have?

• No related experience
• At least one (1) year of experience
• At least two (2) years of experience
• At least three (3) years of experience
• Four (4) years of experience or more

03


From the experience you provided on your application, list the name of the agencies you performed heavy equipment experience with: Note: Do not answer this question with "See Resume" or "See Application". Doing so will automatically disqualify your application from the process. )
04


Select all that apply of heavy equipment equipment you have experience operation:

• Asphalt Spreader
• Backhoe
• Cranes
• Dozer (Bulldozer)
• Excavator
• Front-end loader
• Motor Grader
• Pavers
• Scraper
• Skid Steers
• Tractor
• Trenchers
• I do not have any experience with heavy equipment

05


Do you have a valid Commercial Driver License (CDL) class A or B?

• Yes
• No

06


I understand that failure to complete ALL sections of my application, including the "Driver License" (if appicable), "Education", "Work Experience", "Certifications and Licenses" (if applicable), "Agency-Wide Questions", and "Job Specific Supplemental Questions" will result in my application not being processed.

• I have read and understood the above information.
• I have read and do not understand the above information. I will contact the Human Resources Department for further explanation.

Required Question