Equipment Operator III

Alachua County Road & Bridge Maintenance Operator

This listing closes on 9/15/2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada).

Salary: $41,828.80 Annually

Location: 5620 NW 120th Lane, Gainesville, FL, FL

Job Type: Full-Time

Minimum Qualifications:

Completion of eighth grade and two years experience operating heavy and/or complex equipment; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. A valid State of Florida Class "A" Commercial Driver's License with air brakes is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment. If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and/or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position. Must obtain an "N" endorsement within thirty days of employment. Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen & physical examination and successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.

Position Summary:

This is highly skilled work operating a variety of power construction equipment and motorized vehicles for the Alachua County Department of Public Works. An employee assigned to this classification operates compressors, pumps, hoists, cranes, derricks, shovels, tractors, scrapers, and motor graders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structural and reinforcing steel, and pour concrete or other hard surface paving materials. Work is performed under the direction of a higher level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.

Examples of Duties:

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work. Exudes a positive customer service focus. Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with the County's core values. Operates the following equipment in construction and maintenance operations: finish motor grader (construction), drag line or track mounted hydraulic excavator, gradall and self-loading pan. Operates a tractor trailer lowboy and tractor trailer tanker truck or dump truck (up to 105,000 lbs GVW including trailer GVW). Operates an asphalt patch truck. Operates complex and specialized equipment, such as, Asphalt Distributor Truck and Chip Sealer. Operates Asphalt Paving Equipment, requiring equipment specific training. Operates pincher truck or dump truck (up to 66,000 lbs GVW) and related equipment as work load demands. Operates a hi-lift boom truck and a variety of powered machinery and equipment. Leads and directs the work of other employees on the maintenance/construction site when necessary to coordinate completion of the assigned task. Performs routine services and preventative maintenance on equipment to ensure good working order. Performs pre-operation checks of equipment. Completes minor repair work on equipment. Performs manual tasks and labor while not operating equipment and as required. Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of the operation and maintenance of the types of equipment described for use within this classification and other similar equipment. Knowledge of asphalt equipment and material handling. Thorough knowledge of the occupational hazards and necessary safety precautions in the operation of heavy equipment. Considerable knowledge of the component parts, operating principles, and maintenance requirements of heavy equipment. Knowledge of traffic laws and other regulations governing use of equipment. Skill in the operation of complex/heavy equipment. Ability to drive/operate various types of heavy equipment and make minor repairs. Ability to effectively lead and direct the work of other employees to accomplish a specified task. Ability to carry out oral and written instructions. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Ability to lift heavy materials. Physical strength and agility sufficient to operate heavy equipment over rough terrain and to perform manual labor, occasionally under adverse weather conditions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts, and in outdoor weather conditions. The employee frequently works in high, precarious places. The employee occasionally is exposed to wet, humid conditions (non-weather); risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Benefits:

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, Alachua County offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.

• Medical/Health Insurance
• Employee Life Insurance
• Florida Retirement System
• Employee Assistance Program
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits.

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement. A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows:

1. New Years Day
2. Martin Luther King Day
3. Memorial Day
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day
6. Labor Day
7. Veterans' Day
8. Thanksgiving Day
9. Friday following Thanksgiving
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)
11. Christmas Day
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)
13. 2 Floating Holidays (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of Firefighters Pay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays. Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2 .

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.