Stormwater Heavy Equipment Operator

Stormwater Heavy Equipment Operator (Crew Chief 3)

Location: 22211 US Highway 19, Clearwater, FL

Work Schedule: Monday - Thursday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. or Tuesday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Are you looking for a hands-on career that allows you to work outdoors, operate heavy equipment, and make a direct impact on your community and environment? Pinellas County is seeking a dedicated and safety-minded Stormwater Heavy Equipment Operator to join our Public Works team.

In this essential role, you'll lead a team in the installation, maintenance, inspection, and repair of stormwater drainage systems and related infrastructure. You'll operate major items of construction equipment (e.g., Gradall, Spider/walking excavator, long-arm excavator) in stormwater infrastructure activities and supervise personnel in the field. While ensuring compliance with environmental and safety standards.

This position is ideal for individuals who enjoy physical work, love operating equipment, take pride in public service, and are ready to respond during emergency events such as hurricanes or flooding. You'll be part of a team that plays a critical role in keeping our community safe, clean, and resilient.

What Would You Do?

• Supervises crews and equipment engaged in construction, maintenance, traffic safety, and repair work involving drainage
• Performs maintenance and repair of Pinellas County stormwater Drainage systems.
• Ensures TTC/MOT is properly set up and maintained in accordance with FDOT standards, modifies plans to fit specific job site conditions to ensure public and worker safety;
• Completes assigned work and updating labor hours, equipment usage, materials, and other resources in the work management system
• Provides on-the-job training across assigned equipment and tools, including dump truck operation, front-end loader operation, proper hand and power tool operation (pole saw/power pruner, chainsaw, weed eater, blower, saws-all, grease gun, etc.), and BMPs;
• Determines required equipment, materials, personnel, and ditch/swale shape based on right-of-way conditions
• Ensures 811 utility locates are completed and coordinates with utility companies and Pinellas County Utilities when conflicts or unmarked utilities occur;
• Determines when tree trimming or removal is needed to maintain stormwater flow;
• Arranges for vacation/sick relief; reviews and approves timecards, provides instructions and advice on complex problems;
• Requests and assists in coordinating use of specialized equipment in assigned areas such as a heavy equipment operation;
• Prioritizes, assigns, and schedules work projects for stormwater services; receives work orders, determines resources and crew size, and assigns work to appropriate specialty units;
• Maintains and monitors comprehensive records of work orders, scheduled completion dates, work progress, and delays and adjusts dates to reflect current status;
• Trains staff in safety methods; ensures proper calibration, operation, and maintenance of assigned equipment.;
• Contacts the public in areas where crews are working, coordinates work on private property when necessary, explains work being performed and responds to complaints;
• Communicates and coordinates work with other departments;
• Assists other departments when necessary;
• Sets up, maintains, and distributes sandbags at designated sites;
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

What Do You Need to Have?

• Three (3) years of public works, utilities, general construction, maintenance, or repair work that includes lead worker/supervision or supervisory training, including at least one (1) year of drainage maintenance experience; OR
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
• Assignment to work a variety of work schedules including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations.

Special Qualifications:

• Possession and maintenance of a valid Florida Commercial Driver's License A.
• Florida Stormwater Association Certified Stormwater Operator Level 1 or higher.
• OSHA 30 Hour General Construction Card.
• FDOT Intermediate Temporary Traffic Control certification.
• Must be certified to safely operate assigned equipment, including Gradall, Spider (walking excavator), and Longarm Excavator.

Highly Desirable

• Experience operating heavy equipment, specifically a Gradall.
• Experience supervising and leading a team engaged in Stormwater Maintenance or construction projects.
• Knowledge of stormwater drainage principles, methods, materials and equipment.
• Possess job related license(s) or qualifications directly related to the job as a prerequisite to appointment or to acquire those qualifications or license(s).

Our benefits rank among the top in the area!

• Looking for a strong retirement? We have you covered as members of the Florida Retirement System (FRS) with investment and pension options.
• We have deferred compensation programs and wellness centers to name a few perks. Check out these and more!

Want to Learn More?

Please review the full classification description with the Physical/Mental Demands, Working Conditions, and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities at the below link.

Crew Chief 3