Equipment Operator Apprentice / I, Grade 12/15
Salary
$55,517.00 - $86,352.00 Annually
Location
100 Edison Park Dr Gaithersburg MD 20878 USA
Job Type
Permanent
Job Number
2026-00403
Department
Department of Transportation
Division
DOT 50 Highway Services
Opening Date
07/17/2026
Closing Date
7/31/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA
Non-Exempt
About the Position
Please note: The salary range below represents this position's earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be as follows, based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
WHO WE ARE
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation's mission is to move people and connect places with seamless, equitable transportation options that are safe, environmentally responsible, and support economic growth and vibrancy in Montgomery County.??MCDOT supports its residents, commuters and visitors with transit options and infrastructure that provides seamless transportation services to the public.
The Division of Highway Services manages the maintenance of all transportation infrastructure within the County right-of-way including more than 5,200 lane miles of rural, residential, and primary roadways, as well as nearly 1,000 miles of concrete curb, gutter, and sidewalk. The Tree Maintenance Section manages an inventory of over 250,000 street trees and more than 200,000 trees in the rural areas.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is seeking Equipment Operators for the Division of Highway Services (DHS). This is entry level semi-skilled work involving the use of hand tools (shovels, rakes, lutes, picks, mattocks, tampers, etc.) small gasoline power equipment (push and commercial walk behind mowers, weed cutters, edgers, plate tampers, chain saws, pole saws, air compressors, jack hammers, paint sprayers, concrete mixers, concrete saws, trenchers, etc.) and the operation of 26,000-35,000 GVW dump trucks to perform basic highway construction maintenance related tasks. Knowledge of baseline characteristics of assigned vehicles/equipment and ability to effectively and safely operate and perform operator-level general inspections and preventive maintenance tasks on them. Knowledge of applicable Motor Vehicle Administration and highway regulations for safe, legal operation of the vehicles/equipment used.
What Youll Be Doing
As an Equipment Operator, this person will perform following duties:
Operates and performs federally mandated, manufacturer-recommended and other driver-level general inspections and preventive maintenance tasks on one or more of the following pieces of equipment:
26,000-35,000 GVW dump trucks; asphalt distributor (towed);
11/2-3 cubic yard front end loaders;
4-6 ton vibratory and non-vibratory rollers;
skid loaders with attachments (including but not limited to the backhoe, sweeper and paving profiler);
pavement saw, tractor mowers, box pavers; woodchippers; and other types/makes of similar equipment.
Mechanically and manually loads, secures, and unloads cargo and equipment, complying with federal motor carrier and state requirements.
Operates a variety of power equipment such as mowers, sidewalk grinders, chainsaws, and similar equipment.
Participates in seasonal activities including snow removal and leafing operations.
Performs unskilled and semi-skilled manual labor work as an integral member of a crew; this includes use of chainsaws, plate tampers, concrete-finishing tools, etc.
The work involves moderate physical effort. This is required to perform manual labor tasks that include pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying materials weighing up to 50 pounds, as well as occasionally transporting heavy loads over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces, or intermittently pushing, pulling, and lifting objects weighing up to 100 pounds.
Additional Information:
The individual selected for this position will be considered an "Essential Employee." Essential employees must report to work during a period of general emergency or liberal leave. This individual selected is REQUIRED to work overtime during inclement weather situations and emergencies, which may include overnight stays.
Minimum Qualifications
Equipment Operator Apprentice:
Experience: None.
Education: Ability to read and write in English and carry out oral and written instructions.
Equivalency: None.
License:
At the Time of Employment Application
Must possess and maintain at all times either a valid Class "B" Commercial Driver's License or an
Instructional Permit for a Class "B" Commercial Driver's License issued by the state of residence.
First Day of Employment
Must possess and maintain at all times either a Class "B" Commercial Drivers License (CDL) or an
Instructional Permit for a Class "B" Commercial Drivers License issued by the state of residence.
Upon Completion of Probationary Period
Must possess and maintain at all times a valid Class "B" (or equivalent) Commercial Drivers License (CDL) issued by the state of residence.
Medical Exam Protocol: This position requires successful completion of a pre-employment medical evaluation, which includes a physical examination and drug screening.
Equipment Operator I:
Experience: One (1) year of experience operating the vehicles/equipment assigned under this specification.
Education: Ability to read and write in English and carry out oral and written instructions.
Equivalency: None.
License: Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class B (or equivalent) Commercial Driver's License (CDL) from the applicants state of residence with mandatory endorsements.
Medical Exam and Background Investigation: This position requires successful completion of a pre-employment medical evaluation, which includes a physical examination and drug screening.
All Levels - Physical Demands: Moderate to significant physical effort is required to perform manual labor tasks that include pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying materials weighing up to 100 pounds, as well as occasionally transporting heavy loads over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces, or pushing, pulling, and lifting objects and tools weighing over 100 pounds.
Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences
There are NO Preferred Criteria Assessments. All Applicants will be reviewed by the Office of Human Resources (OHR) for minimum qualifications. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be rated "Qualified", placed on the eligible list, and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications of the same grade or higher will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.
Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at Hiring@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.
MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.
All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicants responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.
This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.
If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.
Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the Countys "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriffs office) are subject to the Countys ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.
Leave Benefits
Our generous leave package starts with non-MLS permanent and term employees earning 15 days of sick leave and 15 days of annual leave in their first year, as well as up to three additional personal days each calendar year. Positions in MLS earn 35 days of paid time off each year. In addition, we offer all employees 10 paid holidays. Our leave policies adhere to the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, and we provide six weeks of paid parental leave for new parents.
Retirement Benefits
All permanent and term positions are eligible for robust retirement plans. Public safety positions are eligible for a defined benefit pension plan in which they are vested after only five years. Employees in non-public safety positions can participate in retirement plans that contribute up to 12 percent of their annual salary. All employees can also participate in a supplemental retirement plan, the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, to contribute even more to their retirement goals.
Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Forgiveness
Montgomery County employees are eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Participants who meet all requirements may qualify for forgiveness on the remaining balance on their Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time in a qualifying public service position. To learn more about PSLF, please visit the Student Loan Repayment Benefits page. Our tuition assistance program allows you to receive up to $2,130 annually in tuition assistance to help you achieve a degree that supports your career path.
Free Mass Transit Benefit
County employees are entitled to use the RideOn Bus service for free with a valid County-employee ID. This benefit can be used any time of the day or evening, including weekends. We also offer a pre-tax flexible spending account to reduce the cost of other mass-transit options such as MARC trains and Metro.
Reduced Child and Health Care Costs
Working for Montgomery County also entitles permanent and term employees to participate in healthcare and childcare Flexible Spending Accounts. These plans allow eligible employees to save on a pretax basis for healthcare and dependent care costs incurred during the plan year.
Employee Wellbeing
We deeply care about your holistic wellness. Our award-winning wellness program, LiveWell, will support you in improving and maintaining your physical, mental, financial, social, and intellectual well-being.
Learn more about our wonderful benefits available to you once you join our team. Montgomery County Benefits
01
I hereby confirm that all statements made above are accurate. I understand that the Office of Human Resources may verify any and all of the above statements at any time in the application process. If it is found that I do not meet the minimum qualifications, I will be removed from further consideration. I also understand that if Inaccuracies are found, I may be removed from further consideration.
02
How many years of experience do you have operating the vehicles/equipment assigned under this specification?
03
Do you possess and maintain a Class "B" (or equivalent) Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with mandatory endorsements or an Instructional Permit for a Class "B" Commercial Drivers License issued by your state of residence?
04
If you answered "Yes," please provide your License / Instructional Permit Type (Class), Number, and Expiration date below:
05
Does this statement apply to you: I have the ability to read and write English and carry out oral and written instructions?
06
Does this statement apply to you: Ability to perform manual labor tasks that include pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying materials weighing up to 100 pounds, as well as occasionally transporting heavy loads over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces, or pushing, pulling, and lifting objects and tools weighing over 100 pounds.
Required Question
Employer Montgomery County (MD)
Address 101 Monroe Street
7th Floor
Rockville, Maryland, 20850
Phone 240-777-5000