Equipment Operator II

Salary: $51,698.17 - $66,555.00 Annually
Location : Portsmouth, VA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: FY2026-01539
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 10/02/2026
Closing Date: 10/18/2026 11:59 PM Eastern


General Statement of the Job & Essential Functions

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Under general supervision, the position operates a variety of motorized and automotive equipment, and hand and power tools to maintain storm drain lines, pipes, ditches, catch basins and other drainage structures. Reports to the Equipment Operator Supervisor of Stormwater Division.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Operates a variety of motorized equipment, hand tools and electrical power tools in order to clear, maintain and repair city storm drain lines, pipes, catch basins and other drainage structures; operates backhoe, Street Sweeper, dump trucks, tractors, pickup trucks, front end loaders, air hammer, VAC trucks, and other motorized equipment for wrapping and repairing storm pipes; utilizes chain saws, and hand tools such as pick axes, rakes, shovels and brooms.

Repairs and maintains storm drain lines from the outside; climbs in manholes; wraps broken storm drain lines to prevent leaking, and uses a backhoe and/or tractor to dig holes to repair or replace leaking and broken pipes; cleans ditches, fills cave-ins, and cleans streets and basins

Inspects job site and determines the work load and proper equipment and materials needed to perform work; may obtain, transport and unload equipment and materials; inspects equipment and vehicles to ensure proper working condition prior to traveling to job sites; prepares work orders and documents work performed and materials used.

Ensures the safety of city equipment, private property, and others by following proper safety procedures, watching for pedestrians, private property, overhead utility lines and other utilities or obstructions; performs traffic management duties such as flagging vehicles.

Performs routine checks and preventive maintenance on equipment; identifies and reports equipment malfunctions; cleans equipment as needed.

Performs other related work as required. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge of Job : Has general knowledge of the procedures and methods of repairing streets and highways and the tools and materials used to perform same. Has general knowledge of the safety precautions and occupational hazards of street maintenance work. Is able to operate equipment and perform manual labor in the maintenance and repair of road surfaces. Is able to understand and interpret oral and written instructions. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.


Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts with all departments, co-workers and the general public.


Quantity of Work: Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Essential Job Functions."


Dependability : Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and for meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, policies, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.


Attendance: Attends work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.


Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.


Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.


Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified i.e., poor communications, variance with policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons within the department.


Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and departmental benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all department employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees and managers in other departments, to project a good departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the city. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, supervisors, professionals and the general public.


Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning, session and discussions of time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings and deadlines.


Safety and Housekeeping : Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

Education, Experience & Special Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Requires completion of 10th grade in high school or equivalent; and related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience necessary to perform the essential job functions of this position. High school diploma, GED or specialized vocational training is preferred. Requires at least 2 - 3 years of experience in the operation of motorized equipment, street or concrete repair work, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Class -B, and a favorable driving record, or a Commercial Learner's Permit, with the ability to obtain a CDL Class -B, within 90 days of hire.
Must be able to obtain Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Flagger Certification and complete the required National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System Certifications within one (1) year of employment.
An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check.

This position requires pre-employment medical evaluation and substance abuse testing and is subject to random alcohol and controlled substance testing.
This job is considered essential personnel and requires attendance and work during and following natural disasters and emergencies.
Physical Demands

Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate street and highway maintenance equipment and to perform heavy physical labor. Requires the ability to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 25 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are for Heavy Work.


Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.


Interpersonal Communications: Requires the ability of speaking and or signaling people to convey or exchange information to include receiving instructions, assignments and directions from supervisor.


Language Ability: Requires the ability to read maps, work orders and simple forms, and the ability to complete work orders, vehicle check lists, leave slips and time sheets using prescribed format. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control and confidence.


Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply judgement and understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral and diagrammatic form to deal with problems involving multiple variables from standardized situations.


Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently using standard English.


Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas. Must be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide.


Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.


Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using equipment utilized for street maintenance.


Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, such as equipment used to maintain streets. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.


Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.


Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress (emergency situations).


Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone.


AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTS The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.This is a class description and not an individual position description. A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.
The city of Portsmouth offers a complete and comprehensive benefit package to full-time employees including: medical, dental, vision, legal, Flexible Spending Accounts, basic and optional life insurance, short-term disability insurance, Virginia Retirement System (includes a mandatory 5% employee contribution), holidays, vacation, sick leave, deferred compensation plan, and Chartway Credit Union. To learn more details, visit
01


Please select the highest level of education completed.

• Less than High School
• High School Diploma or GED
• Some College
• Associates/Vocational/Technical
• Bachelor's Degree or Higher

02


This position requires you to operate various pieces of heavy equipment such as backhoes, jet/vactor cleaners, Knuckle boom, refuse trucks, roll-off and dump trucks, etc. How many years of experience do you have operating heavy equipment?

• I have no experience
• I have less than 3 years of experience
• I have 3 - 5 years of experience
• I have 5 - 7 years of experience
• I have more than 7 years of experience

03


Are you able to obtain the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Flagger Certification and complete the required National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System Certifications within one year of employment?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have 2 - 3 years of experience in the operation of motorized equipment?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Class -B with and a favorable driving record, or a Commercial Learner's Permit with the ability to obtain a CDL Class -B, within 90 days of hire?

• Yes
• No

Required Question