Equipment Operator

Salary: $54,497.21 - $77,002.67 Annually
Location : 10500 NW 55th St. Sunrise, FL, FL
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-180
Department: UTILITIES
Division: FIELD OPERATIONS
Opening Date: 07/02/2026
Closing Date: 8/2/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: FOPA


Description
ABOUT OUR CITY

The City of Sunrise is more than a workplace - it's a community built on our Three Pillars: Customer Service, Collaboration, and Transparency. We're committed to creating an environment where innovation thrives, teamwork is celebrated, and every employee has the opportunity to grow and make a lasting impact.

As a full-service municipality and one of South Florida's premier cities, Sunrise offers competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, professional development opportunities, and a strong culture of recognition. Whether you're helping residents, shaping policy, or improving city operations, you'll be part of a team that's passionate about service excellence and community pride.

We take pride in being home to the back -to-back NHL Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers , a vibrant arts and entertainment district, and a diverse community that truly embodies what it means to Live, Work, and Play in Sunrise.

Effective January 2026, the City is has launched an Alternative Work Schedule designed to further support employee work-life balance - providing eligible staff with two three-day weekends per month through an every-other-Friday-off model. This initiative reflects our continued focus on flexibility and employee well-being.
NATURE OF WORK

This classification involves driving heavy-duty trucks and operating moderately complex construction/maintenance equipment involving a comprehensive maintenance program for streets, sidewalks, bridges, drainage, and other infrastructures on City property or in the City right-of-way. Under immediate supervision, employees are required to exercise some initiative and independent judgment in completing assigned tasks. Tasks at times are performed under hazardous conditions and employees are expected to be particularly alert and careful whenever operating the assigned vehicle/equipment. Employees might be required to perform manual and unskilled laboring tasks, using hand and power tools, either separate from or in conjunction with the equipment being operated. Employees might also be required to operate specialty and/or more complex construction/maintenance equipment on a relief basis or in a training capacity and may serve in a lead capacity over lower level laboring personnel. Work is reviewed while in progress and upon completion by observation and through results obtained.
Examples of Duties
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Operates safely a variety of moderately complex heavy equipment including tandem dump trucks, combination vehicle, rollers, bulldozers, street sweeper, skid steer loader, backhoe, track asphalt paver, and front-end loader.
• Transports materials, tools, and equipment to and from job sites; hauls sand, rock, shell, asphalt, gravel, sludge, and other bulky, heavy items and substances.
• Operates construction/maintenance equipment, pay loaders, truck mounted claw for loading and lifting in construction and maintenance activities; and loader tractors for loading and excavating, and industrial/agricultural tractors for cutting grass and clearing land.
• Performs minor maintenance and servicing on vehicle/equipment being operated to include checking tire air pressure, motor oil, hydraulic oil, and fuel, and bleeding brake air tanks where require; visually checks vehicle/equipment and reports maintenance or repair problems at the beginning and the end of the workday; assures that vehicle is properly equipped, serviced and cleaned
• Excavation for the installation and maintenance of stormwater drainage pipes and structures
• Exercises extreme care while operating equipment, to include watching out for children, animals, low hanging limbs, utility lines, trees, fences, and parked vehicles; observes safety rules and obeys traffic laws.
• Maintains accurate records and reports of work performed.
• Responsible to install Temporary Traffic Control operations as needed to protect operator, equipment and motorists, while maintaining a safe work zone.
• Be available for emergency calls when needed.
• Performs related work as required.

Requirements
TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS

• High school of vocational school diploma or GED.
• Supplemental college related course work preferred.

EXPERIENCE

• Considerable experience in street, sidewalk, and drainage repair and maintenance.
• Experience with operating a truck with hydraulic lift, small tractors, small rollers, asphalt paver machine, backhoe, front end loader, and power tools and equipment preferred.

NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Required license(s): Must possess a valid Florida Class 'A' Commercial Driver's License with good driving record (Will be required to maintain license as condition of employment in this position)
• Required Certification(s): Intermediate Temporary Traffic Control Certificate (Or obtain with six months of hire).
• Desired: Underground Utility excavation license, and OSHA 30-Hour Construction Training

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Physical capability to effectively use and operate City assigned vehicles, manual or power tools.
• Ability to perform heavy manual labor as required
• Ability to climb, balance, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, push and/or pull, twist and make repetitive hand movements.
• Ability to walk, stand and sit for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to work outdoors under varying temperatures, inclement weather and/or other adverse conditions.
• Ability to load, carry, lift, push and/or pull objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to operate a motorized vehicle.
• Ability to climb and descend stairways and ship ladders at unusual heights of up to 40 feet.
• Ability to see in the normal visual range with or without correction. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to withstand exposure to the following conditions without stress: excessive noise, unpleasant odors, chemicals/other environmental substances, blood borne pathogens.
• Perform work at locations with exposure over, in and around water, which may not be accessible to the physically handicapped.

Work Environment

• Tasks are regularly performed outdoors with potential exposure to the following conditions: varying temperatures, inclement weather, and/or other adverse conditions. Tasks are occasionally performed at locations with exposure over, in and around water, which may not be accessible to the physically handicapped.

Sensory

• The ability to perceive and differentiate visual cues or signals. Tasks require the ability to communicate orally and in writing. Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through personal contact, the use of the telephone and/or other City-issued technology devices.

Supplemental Information
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of methods, practices, materials, and equipment used in maintenance, construction, and repair work.
• Working knowledge of traffic laws, occupational hazards and appropriate safety precautions
• Knowledge of the use and care of hand and power tools and equipment related to assigned areas.
• Knowledge of records keeping, report writing, and related administrative procedures.
• Skill in the use and care of standard tools, equipment, and testing devices.
• Skill in using Office and department software.
• Ability to maintain records and compile reports.
• Ability to read, interpret, and work from plans, drawings and specifications.
• Ability to perform works requiring physical strength and endurance.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with assigned employees, supervisors, representatives of local/state/federal organizations, and the general public.
• Ability to communicate with the public in a cordial and helpful manner.
• Ability to acquire skill and develop proficiency in the operation of specialty and motorized construction/maintenance equipment.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of the City and its geography.
• Ability to give direction to subordinate employees. .
• Ability to train and supervise a staff of assigned employees in a manner conducive to acceptable performance and high morale.
• Skill and ability to demonstrate proficiency in the operation of heavy trucks and/or motorized construction/maintenance equipment.
• Skill in the use and care of hand and power tools related to assigned areas
• Demonstrates knowledge on the safety of the specific tools, machinery, or equipment used in their specific workplace.

BENEFITS PACKAGE SUMMARY
GENERAL EMPLOYEE
HIRED ON OR AFTER 10/01/23

City-Paid Medical Benefits:
• Group Health Insurance: The City pays for 100% of the cost for single coverage for full-time employees and 66.66% of cost for Dependent/Family Coverage. Upon retirement and separation from City employment, employee receives a monthly stipend of $350 per month, applicable toward retiree health coverage.
• Life Insurance: $30,000
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D): $10,000
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Cigna Behavioral

Retirement:
• Employee Contribution = 8%
• Vesting = 10 Years
• Normal Retirement Benefit = 2.5% of pensionable earnings for each year of creditable service
• Average Final Compensation (AFC) = 3 best consecutive earning years
• Maximum Benefit = 80% of AFC, not to exceed $80,000.
• Normal Retirement = Age 62 and ten (10) years of creditable service
• Early Retirement = Age 57 and ten (10) years of creditable service, 3% annual reduction for each year prior to normal retirement age
• 13th check based on monthly retirement, payable if the pension plan funding status is equal to or greater than 100%. Paid in December each year following retirement
• Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) = 4 years/48 months maximum
• DROP Interest Rate = 4%, compounded annually

Longevity:
Based on successful completion of full-time, continuous service with the City, employee shall receive the following:
Years of Creditable Service Longevity Benefit*
10 Years 2.5%
15 Years 2.5%
20 Years 5.0%
* Longevity Benefit calculated on employee's base rate of pay

Paid Holidays:
Employees receive the following City-paid holidays:
• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• 4th of July, Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day

Annual Leave:
Annual leave may be taken as earned after completion of (90) calendar days. Maximum accumulation each fiscal year is 290 hours. At time of resignation or retirement, employee is paid for all annual leave accrued at their current rate of pay. Annual leave is accrued based on continuous, full-time service with the City, as follows:
Completed Months of Service Total Hours Accrued Annually
Up to and including first 60 months 96 hours/12 Days
Greater than 60 months through 120 months 136 hours/17 Days
Greater than 120 months through 204 months 176 hours/22 Days
Greater than 204 months 216 hours/27 Days

Annual Leave Cash Out:
Employee can opt to receive a non-pensionable cash payment twice per year for up to forty (40) hours of annual leave, provided accrued annual leave bank does not fall below eighty (80) hours.

Floating Holidays:
Upon completion of (26) weeks of full-time employment with the City, employee shall be entitled to utilize up to five (5) floating holidays per fiscal year. Floating holidays shall not carry over to the next fiscal year.
Perfect Attendance:
For every six (6) months period (April 1 - September 30) and (October 1 - March 31) in which, no sick or unpaid leave is utilized, an employee shall receive ten (10) hours of annual leave credited. Employees who qualify for a consecutive Perfect Attendance benefit shall receive fourteen (14) hours of annual leave credited for each applicable consecutive earning period.

Sick Leave:
Each employee earns (96) hours (12 days) of sick leave annually with no waiting period for use and unlimited accrual. Upon separation of City employment due to resignation, employee shall receive payment of all accrued sick leave at a rate of twenty-five percent (25%) of the employee's current rate of pay at time of resignation. Upon separation of employment due to retirement, employee shall receive payment of all accrued sick leave at a rate of fifty percent (50%) of the employee's current rate of pay at the time of retirement.

Sick Leave Conversion:
After completion of one (1) year of continuous, full-time employment with the City, an employee may convert their unused portion of their first six (6) days (maximum of forty-eight (48) hours) of accrued sick leave into annual leave. Conversions are subject to the following: A minimum of 96 unused sick leave hours accrued prior to hours being converted, total eligible sick leave hours to be converted shall be reduced hour-for-hour by any sick leave hours utilized during the eligible benefit period, and conversion subject to annual leave accrual cap.

Bereavement:
Qualifying City-paid Bereavement Leave as follows:
• In State = Up to 3 Days
• Out of State = Up to 5 Days

Tuition Reimbursement:
After one (1) year of full-time employment
• 100% reimbursement for a grade of A or B
• 50% reimbursement for a grade of C
• $250 books/lab reimbursement per semester

Credit Union:
We Florida Financial Bank & Credit Union - 8890 NW 44th Street, Sunrise, FL. 33351

Optional Voluntary Benefits (paid by the employee):
• Single or Family Dental Insurance Coverage
• Single or Family Vision Insurance Coverage
• Accident Advantage
• Life Insurance Coverage
• AD&D
• Short Term Disability
• Critical Care Protection
• Cancer Protection Assurance
• MissionSquare Retirement Compensation Programs
o 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
o 401(a) Governmental Purchase Plan: Newly hired
01


Please describe your highest level of education completed. PROOF OF THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF COMPLETED EDUCATION MUST BE SUBMITTED AS AN ATTACHMENT WITH APPLICATION. (Applications without attached proof of education will not be processed for consideration.)

• No High School/GED
• High School/GED
• Some College
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree

02


Do you possess five (5) years of experience in street, sidewalk, and drainage repair and maintenance?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you possess an Intermediate Temporary Traffic Control Certificate?

• YES
• NO

04


Do you have a valid CDL Class "A" driver's license?

• Yes
• No

05


If yes, please provide Driver's License number and Date of Issue:
06


If you have not held a Florida Driver's License for the last three (3) years, please give previous Driver's License number and the State or County in which it was issued.
Required Question