Motor Equipment Operator

Salary : $50,581.23 - $88,517.10 Annually
Location : WASTEWATER COLLECTION DIVISION (WCD), 6000 FREDS OAK RD, BURKE (FL06), VA
Job Type: FT Hourly W BN
Job Number: 26-01063
Department: DPWES Wastewater Management
Opening Date: 07/18/2026
Closing Date: 7/31/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S17
Posting Type: Open to General Public


Job Announcement

$2,500 Signing Bonus*


Join Fairfax County - A Stable, Inclusive Workplace Where Your Skills Make a Difference.

At Fairfax County, we keep our communities safe and moving by maintaining the critical infrastructure people rely on every day. This position works as a part of our Gravity Sewers Repair Maintenance Group-an essential team that ensures reliable sewer service across the county. If you take pride in operating heavy equipment, working outdoors, and contributing to work that directly serves the public, this role offers stability, clear advancement opportunities, and a supportive environment built on teamwork and respect.

Key Responsibilities - Motor Equipment Operator, Gravity Sewers Repair Maintenance

• Operate Heavy Equipment: Safely operate medium and heavy equipment, including dump trucks, backhoes, skid-steer loaders, mini-excavators, and other specialized tools to support sewer maintenance and repair operations.
• Perform Sewer Maintenance & Repairs: Assist with the inspection, excavation, repair, and restoration of sewer lines, manholes, and related infrastructure while performing physically demanding field work in various weather conditions.
• Inspect & Maintain Equipment: Conduct daily inspections and perform routine maintenance and minor repairs on vehicles, equipment, and tools to ensure safe and reliable operation.
• Utilize Technology & Document Work: Use Outlook, GIS, GPS, tablets, and work order management systems to receive assignments, document completed work, track materials, and update job status.
• Promote Safety & Teamwork: Adhere to all safety policies and procedures, including traffic control, confined space, trenching, and PPE requirements, while collaborating effectively with crew members to complete work safely and efficiently.
• Provide Reliable Customer Service & Emergency Response: Maintain professional interactions with coworkers and the public while responding to after-hours emergencies, severe weather events, and other operational needs as required.

The ideal candidate must possess:

• Safety Focus & Accountability - Demonstrates a strong commitment to workplace safety by consistently following established procedures, identifying and reporting hazards, using equipment responsibly, and taking ownership of the quality and accuracy of their work.
• Technical Knowledge & Equipment Operation - Possesses experience operating medium-sized heavy equipment and using hand and power tools, while performing routine equipment inspections and basic maintenance to ensure safe and efficient operations.
• Problem Solving & Adaptability - Identifies and troubleshoots common utility infrastructure issues, adapts quickly to changing priorities and field conditions, and remains calm and solutions-focused during emergency response situations.
• Technology Proficiency - Is comfortable using computers, tablets, Outlook, GIS, GPS, and work order management systems to receive assignments, document work performed and maintain accurate records.
• Teamwork, Communication & Customer Service - Works effectively as part of a field crew by collaborating with coworkers, communicating clearly and respectfully with supervisors, team members, customers, and the public, and providing professional customer service.
• Dependability & Work Ethic - Demonstrates reliability by completing assignments efficiently, maintaining attendance and accountability, responding to after-hours emergencies when needed, and performing physically demanding work in a variety of outdoor and weather conditions.

Wastewater Management positions are responsible for providing uninterrupted sewer service to residents during extreme inclement weather or other emergencies. This position is designated as emergency service and is subject to 24-hour on-call and may be required to report to work during extreme inclement weather or other emergencies, including after-hours and weekend work during emergency incidents to fulfill emergency service duties. Overtime may be mandated when emergencies occurred related to the health, welfare, or safety of either the public or employees.

Wastewater Management is part of the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES), please visit us to learn more about us.

DPWES is a diverse, nationally accredited and award-winning public works agency with approximately 1,000 employees providing solid waste, capital facility development, wastewater, stormwater, urban forestry, and land acquisition management services for the most populous county in Virginia. Join our team to help us protect the environment and serve the people of Fairfax County by creating and preserving a sustainable community that is an ideal place to live, work, and play for everyone.

Fairfax County Government is committed to our employees, and offers comprehensive benefits, including a defined-benefit retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; paid leave; tuition reimbursement; and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Through our LiveWell Program and the county Benefits Division, we endeavor to cultivate a culture of wellbeing that empowers, educates and engages employees and retirees to make life-long choices that promote a holistic approach to their physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual and financial wellness. Please review our awesome benefits:
Note: The appointee to this position is subject to emergency callback 24 hours a day/seven days a week (24/7) to respond to snow, flood, and other designated emergencies requiring division resources, on an as-needed basis.

In 2026, all Wastewater Collection Division assignments will be permanently located at the new Water Resources and Infrastructure building, located at 6000 Freds Oak Road, Burke, VA 22015. Position may require traveling to multiple Fairfax County sites.

This announcement may be used to fill one or more positions.

* A $2,500 signing bonus is available to new county employees hired into positions requiring a CDL. Applicants must possess valid CDL at time of application submission to be eligible. The hiring incentive will be paid upon hire in a single lump sum, require a retention period of 12 months, and require a signed payback agreement between the department and employee.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to completion of the tenth grade; and, two years of experience in the operation of medium/light motorized equipment.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• A valid driver's license.
• A Class "B" commercial driver's license (CDL).
• DOT Medical Card.
• VDOT Work Zone Traffic Control Certification (Flagger) within 12 months of hire.
• VDOT Work Zone Traffic Control within 12 months of hire.
• Confined Space Certification within 12 months of hire.
• CPR/First Aid within 12 months of hire.
• Osha 10 within 12 months of hire.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a pre-employment physical examination, and a driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two years of experience operating construction/utility tools and equipment.
• One year of experience performing routine inspections and maintenance of underground utilities, sewer manholes and sewer lines.
• Intermediate level of experience using computers systems related to Microsoft Office, GIS, GPS, and an asset management program.
• Possession of any of the following certifications:
  • Class "A" Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
  • Basic Traffic Control
  • Confined Space Entry
  • A Virginia Flagger Certification.
  • Manhole Assessment Certification (MACP) or Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in written form. Ability to lift/ slide up to 90 lbs. with assistance. Ability to set up and operate Medium/Heavy duty equipment. Ability to work around and in contact with raw sewage. Must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment and use other automated technology to input, access and retrieve information from a laptop or desktop. Visual acuity is required to read data on computer monitors such as GIS maps. Must be able to physically negotiate rough terrain on uneven ground such as hills, wooded and marshy areas to make direct observation of work in progress including recognizing unforeseen hazards such as sharp objects, warning signs, slippery surfaces, steep depressions, tripping hazards. Must be capable of pushing, pulling, lifting, bending, stooping, walking, and climbing/crouching to enter permitted confined spaces such as in and out of catch basins and manholes. Per safety requirements, confined spaces may not be entered by persons who weigh 310lbs. or more. Must be physically fit to perform manual labor in all types of environments. This requires the ability to endure variable and extreme weather conditions such as hot, cold, during rain, noisy environments, etc. Requires the ability to stand, stoop, bend, reach, walk, climb, sit, kneel, crawl, lift, as well as work in strenuous and uncomfortable positions for long periods of time to manipulate materials with manual dexterity, use of hoses, and operate units up to 12 feet tall to set up and perform maintenance. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.


SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.

BONUS ELIGIBILITY:
Positions within this classification that require a CDL that are general merit may be eligible for a one-time hiring incentive bonus for new county employees only. This bonus program requires a signed payback agreement between the department and employee. Must have CDL at time of hire.
Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including ) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY View phone number on click.appcast.io. EEO/AA/TTY.

#LI-JT1
Merit Positions

Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• LiveWell Program
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
• Paid Holidays
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees' Child Care Center
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

Please click for a summary of our benefits.

NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program:


For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions

1. Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.
   • Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
   • Flexible Spending Program
   • Deferred Compensation
2. Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.
   • No benefits

01


What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 10th grade
• 10th to less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Doctorate degree

02


If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a related degree.

• Less than 45 quarter hours
• 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
• 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
• 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
• 180 or more quarter hours
• Less than 30 semester hours
• 30 to less than 60 semester hours
• 60 to less than 90 semester hours
• 90 to less than 120 semester hours
• 120 or more semester hours
• Not applicable

03


How many years of experience do you possess in the operation of medium/light motorized equipment?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four years or more

04


Do you possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

05


Are you currently in possession of a commercial driver's license (CDL)? If yes, please check the item that applies.

• Class A
• Class B
• I currently do not possess a CDL, but I do possess a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP)
• I currently do not possess a CDL

06


If you responded that you possessed a CDL in the previous question, please provide the expiration date. If you do not possess a commercial driver's license, enter "Not applicable".
07


Please indicate which restrictions or endorsements currently apply to your vehicle operator's license. Check all that apply.

• Restriction K or L - air brake restriction
• Restriction K or L - operator in Virginia only
• Restriction J - school/activity bus only
• Endorsement N - tanker endorsement
• Endorsement P - passenger
• Endorsement S - school bus
• Endorsement T - double or triple trailer
• Other endorsements or restrictions not listed here
• None of the above

08


How many years of commercial driving experience do you possess?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six years or more

09


Please indicate which vehicles or equipment you have more than six months of experience operating. Check all that apply.

• Dump truck
• Tractor trailer
• Backhoe
• Ride-on vibratory roller
• Front-end loader
• Jumping jack tamper
• Snow blower
• Commercial lawn mower
• Bulldozer
• Skid steer loader
• Mini-excavator
• Chainsaw
• Combination sewer cleaner
• None of the above

10


Please indicate any skills or trades with which you have more than six months of work experience. Check all that apply.

• Underground utility installation or maintenance
• Concrete flatwork
• Excavating
• Brick and block masonry
• Light carpentry
• Landscaping
• Asphalt paving
• Structural concrete
• Welding/ironwork
• Combination Sewer Cleaner
• None of the above

11


How many years of experience do you have performing preventative maintenance or repairs to a utility system?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six or more years

12


Please indicate your level of experience using computer systems related to Microsoft Office, GIS, GPS, and asset management programs.

• Beginner
• Novice
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Expert
• No experience

13


Please indicate which of the following certifications you currently possess. Check all that apply.

• Basic Traffic Control
• Confined Space Entry
• A Virginia Flagger Certification.
• Manhole Assessment Certification (MACP)
• Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP)
• None of the above

14


This position is considered essential personnel for purposes of continuity of operations and may be required to respond during inclement weather or emergency situations. Are you willing and able to report to work during these situations?

• Yes
• No

Required Question