HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR -PUBLIC WORKS

Salary : $46,530.02 - $74,430.10 Annually
Location : Municipal Operations Center (1300 N Broad St), Gastonia, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 01770
Department: Public Services
Division: Public Service/Equipment Services
Opening Date: 06/16/2026
Closing Date: 9/27/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt


General Definition of Work
Performs skilled trades work in the operation of motorized equipment; does related work as required. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Crew Chief. Supervision may be exercised over assigned staff.



Essential Functions/Duties

• Operates dump truck, uni-patcher truck, backhoe, grade tractor, front-end loader, skid steer, asphalt maintainer, asphalt paving machine, asphalt recycler, crack pouring machine, rollers, tamps, air compressors, saws, tack distributor, street sweeper, catch basin cleaner, flusher truck, snow plow, brine applicator and sand spreader, boom mower, tractors with flail mowers, bush hogs and sickle bars, and other small and medium-sized equipment in the construction and maintenance of the City's street infrastructure, storm drainage systems, sidewalks, driveways, curb and gutter, and rights-of-way.
• Pours and finishes concrete.
• Sweeps streets, vacuums catch basins and cleans storm drain pipes.
• Performs grading for site preparation.
• Hauls and stockpiles various materials, such as stone, riprap, dirt, gravel, millings, mulch, sand and rubble.
• Assists in pouring concrete for stormwater structures.
• Performs rough carpentry work; Sets forms and installs rebar/wire mesh.
• Constructs and performs maintenance and repairs on ditches, swales and other various types of open drainage channels.
• Mows rights-of-way, trims sight distance problems, low-hanging limbs over sidewalks and streets, trims around guardrails, edges sidewalks and curbs.
• Assists in cultivating, planting, watering, mulching and spraying of flowers, plants, shrubs, trees and turf areas.
• Operates light automotive and mechanical equipment in connection with the above tasks.
• As a trainee, operates heavy equipment.
• Works around heavy construction equipment and all types of traffic.
• Repairs tools and equipment of a less complex nature and perform general maintenance on all small equipment.
• Uses small hand tools, including shovels, rakes, lutes, rakes, picks, pruning tools, floats, tools to perform edging, jointing, and stamping of concrete, etc.
• Operates edger, string trimmer, chain saw, blowers, etc.
• Performs rough carpentry work.
• Raises utility structures for resurfacing, utility cuts, patching and asphalt maintenance.
• Lays brick and block.
• When not operating equipment, performs semi-skilled work on the job-site as a laborer, uses small hand tools.
• Performs various landscaping tasks.
• Performs daily pre-trip inspections on assigned vehicles and equipment (90%)
• Snow and ice storm removal and other storm debris removal (10%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities


General knowledge of the principles and practices of operating and basic routine maintenance of trucks and related medium and heavy equipment in public works-related construction and maintenance activities; general knowledge of the traffic laws and regulations governing equipment operation; general knowledge of the occupational hazards involved and the safety precautions necessary to the proper operation of varied equipment; ability to understand and follow oral and written directions; mechanical aptitude; ability to make minor repairs and adjustments to equipment; dependability. general knowledge of the safe use and operation of common hand and power tools; general knowledge of the safe use, operations and preventative maintenance of common automotive and mechanical equipment; ability to perform manual labor for extended periods, often under unfavorable weather conditions; general knowledge of OSHA laws that apply to areas of work responsibility.

Education/Experience/Physical Demands/Special Requirements/Additional Information

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/PHYSICAL DEMANDS/SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Graduation from high school or equivalent and minimal experience in the operation of motorized equipment, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Obtain a NC Class A Commercial driver's license with Restriction 8 and Tanker endorsement within three months of hire.
Obtain Basic Work Zone Safety and Flagger certifications within 12 months of hire.
Complete NIMS IS-700 training within 12 months of hire.
The physical activity of this position includes:
Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion.

Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or couching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.


Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.


Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.


Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.


Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.


Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.


Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.


Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.


Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.


Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.


Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.

Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.

Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.


Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.


Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.


Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.


Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.


The physical requirements of this position:
Very Heavy Work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.


The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception and field of vision:
The worker is required to have visual acuity to perform one or more of the following: operate machines such as lathes, drill presses, power saws and mills where seeing job is at or within arm's reach; performs mechanical or skilled trades tasks of a non-repetitive nature such as carpenters, technicians, service people, plumbers, painters, mechanics, etc.


The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position:
The worker is subject to inside environmental conditions; Protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.


The worker is subject to outside environmental conditions: No effective protection from weather.

The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.


The worker is subject to extreme cold: Temperatures below 32 degrees for periods of more than one hour.


The worker is subject to extreme heat: Temperatures above 100 degrees for periods of more than one hour.


The worker is subject to noise: There is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level.


The worker is subject to vibration: Exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities or whole body.

The worker is subject to hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals.


The worker is subject to atmospheric conditions: One or more of the following conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin: Fumes, odors dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.


The worker is subject to oils: There is air and/or skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids.


The worker is required to wear respirator.


The worker frequently is in close quarters, crawl space, shafts, manholes, small-enclosed rooms, small sewage and water line pipes, and other areas that could cause claustrophobia.


The worker is required to function in narrow aisles or passageways.


Possession of a valid appropriate Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Class "A" with Restriction 8 and an acceptable driving history. Work Zone Safety and Flagger Certifications.


Drug screening and criminal background check required.


REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS MAY BE MADE TO ENABLE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS.


The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective and unique identity.


The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/H
High Deductible Health Plan with HSA
Dental
Vision
Life
Supplemental Insurance Plans
Pension (Local Government Employees' Retirement System)
401(k)
457
Short-term/Long-term Disability
Dependent Care Plan
Employee Assistance Program
On-Site Health Clinic
Employee Educational Assistance Program
Sick Leave (12 days per year)
Initial Employment Vacation: Starting at 12 days per year
Holidays (11 days per year)
Personal Day (1 day per year)

A comprehensive list of benefits can be found online at