Equipment Operator III Lead - Preventative Maintenance
Salary $24.76 Hourly
Location Asheville, NC
Job Type Full Time
Job Number 2026-01822
Department Public Works
Division Streets & Sidewalks
Opening Date 03/31/2026
Closing Date 4/14/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
Description
Benefits
Questions
Summary
About our opportunity: The City of Asheville is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Equipment Operator III, Lead within the Public Works Department, Streets Division. This position works for the Supervisor on the Preventive Maintenance and Repair Crew as a lead for the crew involved in driving and operating vehicles and other equipment with specialized functions that involve the operation of complex mechanisms to complete tasks for various maintenance, repair, and/or construction projects in an assigned department. Typical projects consist of paving, milling, excavating, patching, slide repair, and retaining wall construction. This position utilizes equipment that have mechanisms that are complex to operate,require the highest degree of skill, dexterity, and finesse to perform work to exacting tolerances, as well as equipment included in lower levels in this job family, and provide lead guidance, direction, and training to assigned staff.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions:The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not excludethem from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other dutiesmay be required and assigned.
Leads and coordinates daily work activities of assigned co-workers: confers with supervisor to obtain directionregarding work assignments and priorities; organizes tasks to complete assigned work; monitors status of work inprogress and inspects completed work; confers with co-workers; assists with complex/problem situations andprovides technical expertise; and assists with training and instructing co-workers regarding operational proceduresand proper use of equipment.
Maneuvers heavy equipment and operates complex mechanisms involving digging, moving earth and materials,grading, loading, and performing similar tasks in order to advance projects relating to construction andmaintenance of City roads, grounds, property, utilities, rights-of-way, and other infrastructure; equipment isprimarily driven and operated on-site, but does require some driving over public roads; maneuvers in and aroundtraffic, crew workers, equipment, utilities, and other obstacles; obeys all traffic laws and safety guidelines; andmonitors immediate environment and work area to ensure the safety of operator, other workers, the equipment,and the public.
Operates excavator, track hoe, and backhoe to perform skilled digging and trenching for maintenance, upkeep, andconstruction for assigned department, where exacting tolerances and specifications are required; controlsplacement of equipment and determines optimum approach to each digging scenario to minimize destruction ofproperty and avoid electric, water, sewer, and other public utility lines.
Operates a track or rubber-tired loader with large volume and weight capacities to load materials into trucks ormove them over short distances; positions equipment and controls height, angle, and position of scoop foroptimum delivery of payload; and controls amount, and weight of materials being lifted to avoid exceedingequipment capacity.
Operates motor-grader, scraper, and excavator with blade attachment to set gradients for large construction andmaintenance projects such as roads, landscaping, embankments, and other projects requiring exactingspecifications related to slope, angle, and pitch; determines appropriate settings and adjusts blades for height,angle, and pitch to achieve desired outcome; and maneuvers equipment and operates mechanisms to skillfully setgradient, smooth surfaces, and spread materials.
Operates bulldozer, scraper, and compactor to move earth, gravel, sand, and other materials for large constructionand maintenance projects; and operates mechanisms to establish rough grades or to smooth and compact surfacesin preparation for pavement, construction, or other work.
Drives large tractor-trailer rigs and low boys to transport and move construction equipment to and from job sites;positions vehicle to allow for the most efficient and effective loading or unloading of equipment and materials; andsecures all doors, gates, and fasteners to prevent spillage or loss of load.
Inspects and prepares equipment for safe and proper operation prior to beginning work for the day: performs lightmaintenance on equipment, which includes changing oil, refueling, and refilling lubricants; cleans vehicles, beds,and mounted equipment upon completion of assignments; and secures vehicle after use.
Performs manual labor in support of construction, maintenance, and repair projects: lifts, moves, loads, andunloads materials, equipment, tools, and supplies; digs ditches, trenches, and holes manually or utilizing powerequipment; shovels, rakes, spreads, compacts, and levels dirt, rock, asphalt, cement, and other materials; retrievessupplies, materials, tools, equipment and other items and runs various errands as needed; collects, transports,loads and unloads materials, supplies, tools, and equipment to and from the worksite; removes litter, debris, anddeceased animals from roadways and other City property.
Performs other duties in support of City operations: operates equipment and trucks included at the lower level inthis job family; provides coverage during special events and activities; responds to emergency and disastersituations; provides assistance to other employees or departments; and performs other related duties as required.
Follows established safety procedures: utilizes safety equipment and wears protective gear: monitors workenvironment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; monitors traffic conditions surrounding trucksand equipment to identify obstructions, pedestrians, or unsafe traffic conditions; flags and directs traffic and placesmarkers, signs and cones around project and work site to ensure safety of crew and the traveling public; andreports any incidents, accidents, problems, or unusual situations.
Communicates with supervisor, other City employees, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinatework activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designatedtimeframes and per established procedures: receives, reviews, prepares, completes, processes, forwards or retainsas appropriate various forms, reports, correspondence, work orders, time sheets, vehicle inspection logs, and otherdocumentation; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; andmaintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.
Additional Functions:Performs other related duties as required.
Education and Experience
Minimum Qualifications:High school diploma or GED required, with vocational or technical training in heavy equipment operation or arelated field; supplemented by three years of experience in heavy equipment operation in area of assignment; orany equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills,and abilities for this job.
Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain a valid North Carolina Class A and Class BCommercial Driver's License (CDL), including appropriate endorsement(s). Must possess and maintain Flagger andWork Zone Safety certification or the ability to obtain within one years time.
Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essentialfunctions and learn, comprehend, and apply all City or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessaryto function effectively in the position.
Performance Aptitudes:
Data Utilization: Requires the ability to determine, calculate, tabulate, or summarize data/information, following aprescribed plan requiring the exercise of some judgment. Includes performing subsequent actions in relation tothese computational operations.
Human Interaction: Requires the ability to provide guidance, assistance, and/or interpretation to others regardingthe application of procedures and standards to specific situations.
Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate and control the actions ofequipment and machinery, requiring the monitoring, adjustment, regulation, and/or setting of multiple conditions.
Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference and descriptive data and information.
Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; theability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpretgraphs.
Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructionsfurnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt ormodify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.
Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involvingevaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.
ADA Compliance:
Physical Ability: Tasks require the regular and sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work,typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, andthat generally involves lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50pounds).
Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors,sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
Environmental Factors: Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmentalconditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, waterhazards, unsafe structures, heights, confined spaces, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards,bright/dim lights, animal/wildlife attacks, animal/human bites, or rude/irate customers.
The City of Asheville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, theCity will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages bothprospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Some positions may require a fingerprint-based SBI background check after a conditional offer and before your start date; HR will provide instructions if applicable. For benefits-eligible positions, explore our full benefits at AshevilleBenefits.com.
About us: The City of Asheville is dedicated to providing quality service for the residents and visitors of our beautiful city, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Asheville, NC is a thriving mountain city that has a culture enriched by its diversity. The City's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment. Applicants will be assured of fair treatment in all aspects of recruitment and selection without regard to a person's age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, genetic information,or disability, except where certain physical and mental requirements are Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications (BFOQ). The City of Asheville is proud to be a second chance employer. The City of Asheville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. To view our comprehensive benefits package, click here.
01 Select your highest level of education: I do not possess a High School Diploma/GED. High School/GED Associates Degree Bachelors Degree Masters Degree Doctorate
02 How many years of relevant experience do you have in Trades or Construction work? Less than 1 year 1 - 3 years 3 - 5 years 6 - 10 years 10 or more years
03 Do you have a valid drivers license? I do not have a current driving license. I do possess a current valid drivers license (Standard License)
04 Do you have a valid North Carolina Commercial Drivers License (CDL)? No, I do not have a current CDL. I do possess a current Class A CDL. I do possess a current Class B CDL.
05 Do you possess and maintain a Flagger and Work Zone Safety Certification? Yes No
Required Question
Employer City of Asheville
Address City of Asheville PO Box 7148 Asheville, North Carolina, 28802
Phone 828-259-5690 - Apply Online! - EOE
Website http://www.ashevillenc.gov/jobs