Heavy Equipment Operator II, 205, Street Construction

Salary: $19.31 Hourly
Location : Laredo, TX
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: B272730-3
Department: Public Works (27/38)
Division: Construction
Opening Date: 10/06/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Job Description
Operates medium heavy equipment, including backhoes, tanker trucks, batwing mowers, and roll-off container trucks. Repairs City utilities, lays pipelines, and 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.

• Responds to inquiries and assists lower level heavy equipment operators.
• 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.
• Assists other City Departments in case of emergencies.
• 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.
• Skill in customer service.
• Skill in leadership.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• 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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Effort Requirements
Position will have the following exposures

• Frequent exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Majority of work performed outside or with exposure to risk.
• 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


Never

• Office or similar indoor environment
• Warehouse environment

Seldom

• Office or similar indoor environment
• Warehouse environment

Sometimes

• Construction site
• Confined space

Frequently

• Outdoor environment
• Street environment (near moving traffic)
• Vehicles

Often

• Outdoor environment
• Street environment (near moving traffic)
• Vehicles

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


Never

• Individuals who are hostile or irate
• Communicable diseases

Seldom

• Individuals who are hostile or irate
• Communicable diseases

Sometimes

• Individuals with known violent backgrounds
• Fumes or airborne particles

Frequently

• Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
• Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)
• Moving mechanical parts
• Loud noises (85+ decibels such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, construction)

Often

• Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
• 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

Often

• Local travel

Minimum Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• At least three (3) years of experience as a heavy equipment operator

Valid Licenses and Certifications

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Valid Texas Driver License. If applicant holds an out-of-state license, a State of Texas Driver License must be obtained within 6 months of employment.

The following Licenses and Certifications that must be obtained after employment . Continued employment is contingent on successfully obtaining required certification(s) and/or license(s) within the specified period of time indicated above from time of hire.

• A valid Texas Commercial Driver License (CDL) class A or B must be obtained within 12 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


Do you have at least three (3) years of experience as a heavy equipment operator?

• Yes
• No

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


Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Failure to complete all sections of your application, including the "Driver License", "Education", "Work Experience", "Certifications and Licenses" (if applicable), and "Agency-Wide Questions" will result in your application not being processed. Please complete the City's application to include all current and previous work history, relevant education, and any license(s)/certification information that may be required. A resume will not be accepted or reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification for employment consideration.

• I have read and understand the above information
• I have read and do not understand the above information. I will contact the Human Resources Department for further explanation at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Required Question