Heavy Equipment Operator I, 204, Water Treatment

Job Posting

Job Title: Heavy Equipment Operator

Employer: City of Laredo

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:

• English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Safe operations of heavy equipment.
• Geography of the City including major streets and landmarks.
• Preventive maintenance procedures.
• Traffic rules and regulations.
• Vehicles and equipment.

Skills and Abilities:

• Organization and time management.
• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Meeting schedules and deadlines of the work.
• Maintaining the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries.
• Operating heavy equipment.
• Following oral and written instruction.
• Maintaining accurate and complete records.
• Communicating clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Maintaining good planning and organizational skills.
• Taking and following directions from supervisor.
• Giving directions to and gaining compliance from assigned staff.
• Performing strenuous work and routine work.
• Maintaining a valid Texas Driver License and a good driving record.
• Projecting a positive and professional image of the City of Laredo.
• Communicating both orally and in writing in the English language and orally in the Spanish language.
• Complying with all City of Laredo's policies and procedures.
• Maintaining 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.

Benefits

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