Equipment Operator III

Equipment Operator III

Equipment Operator III positions operate "large class" construction equipment such as combination backhoes, loaders, bulldozers, asphalt distributors, hydraulic excavators, gradalls, asphalt milling machines, Lo-Boy tractor/trailer combination, and motor graders to perform skilled construction, maintenance, and repair work in a variety of City departments; complete work requests and report forms; may lead the work of others; and perform other duties as assigned.

Employees in job classifications represented by AFSME Local 127 are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:

• 3.5% effective 7/1/27
• 2% effective 7/1/28
• 2% effective 1/1/29

In addition to the scheduled general wage increases, the following equity adjustment wage increase is also scheduled to take effect for Equipment Operator III: 5% effective 1/1/29.

Eligible benefited employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).

Equipment Operator III employees may be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays, for which they may receive 5% additional pay.

Some Equipment Operator III employees are required to pass a medical physical, respiratory fit test, and obtain Confined Space Certification within six months from the date of hire. Employees will be required to obtain and maintain Confined Space Certification to retain employment.

Equipment Operator III employees who operate commercial vehicles are required by California State Law, as a condition of employment, to submit to drug and alcohol testing. Prior to hire, a background check will be completed in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and with former employers regarding drug and alcohol testing.

Minimum Requirements

You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

Experience: You must meet ONE of the following options:

1. Two years of full-time experience operating "medium class" industrial motive equipment similar to equipment operated by Equipment Operator II positions in the City of San Diego such as D-4 or D-6 class bulldozers; motor graders on skilled blade work; articulating loaders (e.g., Case 621, 721, or larger); backhoes/extendahoe (e.g., Case 580 or larger); or other equipment of comparable difficulty.
2. Six months of full-time experience operating a combination of the following types of "large class" industrial motive equipment: Gradalls, D-8 or D-9 class bulldozers, motor scrapers, linkbelt excavators, milling machines, or other equipment of comparable difficulty.

Note:

• City of San Diego employees using Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered.

License: A valid California Class A Driver's License AND a valid California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) medical certificate dated within the last two years are required at the time of hire. Notes:

• Some positions may require a valid Tank Endorsement at the time of hire.
• Some positions may require a valid Tank Endorsement within six months from date of hire.
• Some positions may require a valid Hazmat Endorsement within six months from date of hire.

Highly desirable:

• Leadership ability/experience.

Required documents (must submit with application):

• For City of San Diego employees, proof of Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA), if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.

Required documents should be attached electronically to your application. If you are unable to attach at the time of application submittal, you must submit them as soon as possible via fax: View phone number on click.appcast.io; or to the Employment Information Center: City of San Diego Personnel Department, 1200 Third Avenue - Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101. Include your name and the title of the position for which you are applying.

Screening Process

Please ensure all information is complete and accurate, as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.

Supplemental Information

Pre-employment requirements: Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, including a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test result for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may constitute cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.

Rev. 11 July 3, 2026 (New Recruitment Date)