Equipment Operator
Salary
$60,180.00 - $77,172.00 Annually
Location
Corporation Yard - 637 W. Struck Avenue, Orange, CA
Job Type
Full Time Miscellaneous
Job Number
01696
Department
Public Works Department
Division
Field Services Division
Opening Date
05/14/2026
Closing Date
5/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
JOIN THE CITY OF ORANGE AS AN EQUIPMENT OPERATOR
Under general supervision, performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled work in the operation of medium to heavy construction equipment in support of City systems and facilities, including streets, storm drains, streets, sanitary systems, and related facilities; adjusts and performs routine maintenance to a variety of medium to heavy equipment and trucks; and performs related duties as required.
Examples of Duties
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
Operates a variety of heavy equipment, including backhoe, ten-wheel and dump trucks, dozers, excavators, loaders, concrete crushers, compactors, graders, trailers, and a wide range of construction equipment; operates small to medium sized trucks and smaller equipment such as pick-up trucks and forklifts.
Drives construction and maintenance equipment to and from job sites; and loads and unloads equipment from trucks.
Excavates, backfills, grades and rolls construction and repair sites.
Performs asphalt and street construction and maintenance tasks, including filling in potholes, performing dig-outs, grading and crowning City streets, roads, and alleys, and performing related duties.
Identifies equipment needs for assigned projects, including picking up and delivering heavy equipment from construction projects.
Cleans and reconstructs storm drains, including cleaning debris from ditches, culverts, and creek beds.
Performs a wide variety of skilled maintenance, repair, and installation work in the City infrastructure, systems, and facilities to which assigned.
Assumes assigned duties and responsibilities of the Public Works Maintenance Lead Worker in his/her absence.
Inspects equipment; performs preventive maintenance; makes operating adjustments and minor repairs to equipment, such as changing buckets and teeth and tightening loose bolts and hydraulic couplings.
Notifies supervisor of the need for repair or additional maintenance as found during routine inspection; notes service requirements.
Checks job sites for potential hazards; reads blueprints and plans; and determines precautions necessary for safe operations.
Reads and interprets specifications, diagrams, manuals and other documentation.
Ensures that adequate materials and supplies are available for maintenance and repair work.
Maintains accurate records of work performed.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Typical Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Principles, practices, tools, equipment and supplies required to maintain and repair City systems and facilities, including streets, storm drains, streets, sanitation systems, and related facilities.
Operation, work methods, and limitations of gasoline and diesel-powered medium to heavy construction equipment used in the maintenance and construction of City facilities.
Principles and practices of servicing and basic preventive maintenance of heavy equipment.
Basic troubleshooting principles and practices.
Occupational hazards and safety equipment and practices related to the work.
Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Basic mathematics.
Safe driving rules and practices.
Basic computer software related to work.
English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors and City staff.
Ability to:
Perform skilled construction, modification, maintenance, and repair work on assigned municipal infrastructure, facilities, systems, and/or appurtenances.
Operate specialized construction and maintenance, medium to heavy vehicles and equipment.
Set up and operate traffic area construction zones, including cones, barricades, and flagging.
Troubleshoot maintenance problems and determine materials and supplies required for repair.
Read and interpret construction drawings, blueprints, maps, and specifications.
Safely and effectively use and operate hand tools, mechanical equipment, power tools, and related equipment required for the work.
Perform basic servicing and preventative maintenance on construction equipment.
Operate and maintain a variety of hand, power and shop tools related to the trade.
Maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of work performed.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Make accurate arithmetic calculations.
Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone or radio, and in writing.
Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
License:
Possess and maintain a valid California class A drivers license with the appropriate endorsements.
Possess and maintain a valid Grade I Wastewater Collection System Operator Certificate issued by the CWEA within one (1) year of employment.
Possess and maintain valid Confined Space, Forklift Training, and Construction Zone Safety Certificates within one (1) year of employment.
Supplemental Information
Must possess mobility to work in the field; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work, to work in confined spaces and around machines, to climb and descend ladders, to operate varied hand and power tools and construction equipment, and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 100 pounds, or heavier weights with the use of proper equipment.
Disaster Service Worker:
All employees of the City of Orange are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be Disaster Service Workers. In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours and performing work significantly different from the employees normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.
Environmental Elements:
Employees work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
Working Conditions:
May be required to be on-call and to work various shifts or emergencies on evenings, weekends, and holidays.
City Mission, Vision, and Values:
Incumbents in all City positions are expected to exhibit the behavior characteristics reflected in the Citys Mission, Vision, and Values statements in the performance of their duties: The City of Orange is committed to excellent service for our residents, businesses, and visitors. As an organization, the City of Orange is the leader in delivering the highest level of service to meet current and future needs of the community. The Citys values include Teamwork, Accountability, and Excellence.
BENEFITS FOR ORANGE MAINTENANCE AND CRAFTS EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
The City of Orange provides a generous array of benefits to employees in addition to maintaining competitive salaries. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees working from 20 to 35 hours.
The following is a partial list of benefits:
Salary Range. Salary Ranges are composed of six (6) steps, each approximately five (5%) percent apart. Advancements through the steps are generally made yearly and based on performance.
Retirement Benefits. Retirement benefits are provided by the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), including the Citys contribution toward the Fourth Level Survivors Benefit.
Effective January 1, 2013, newly hired non-safety employees who are "New" CalPERS Members, as defined by the Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 ("PEPRA"), will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2% at age 62 defined benefit plan with three year final compensation in accordance with Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA). New Members shall contribute half of normal cost of retirement as determined by CalPERS from their pensionable compensation, on a pre-tax basis, as set forth in California Government Code Section 7522.30.
An employee who is a "Classic" Member of CalPERS or a current member of another California public retirement system who is hired by the City of Orange on or after January 1, 2013, will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2.7% @ age 55 benefit formula with one year final compensation. Employees contribute 8.00% of pension reportable salary on a pre-tax basis for this retirement benefit.
Social Security & Medicare. Employees do not pay into Social Security, however, do contribute 1.45% of salary towards Medicare.
Cafeteria Benefits Plan. The City pays up to $2,095 per month (Family) which can be applied towards CalPERS medical, dental, vision, health care reimbursement, and/or dependent care reimbursement. Under certain criteria, employees may elect to opt out of the Citys medical plan altogether and receive $400 per month.
Life Insurance. The City provides a term life insurance policy of $50,000.
Vacation. Employees earn 80 hours of vacation during the first four years of service, and an increasing accrual annually up to 200 hours per year after 25 years of service. The City also provides an annual unused vacation payout plan.
Holidays. The City observes 11 paid holidays.
Sick Leave. Sick leave is accrued at a rate of 96 hours per year. Employees are eligible to convert unused sick leave to vacation on an annual basis. A partial payment (up to 50%) for accumulated unused sick leave is available to City employees who retire from the City.
Other Benefits. Most employees work a "9/80" alternate work schedule with City Hall closures every other Friday. Long Term Disability, an Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement (up to $750/fiscal year), Trip Reduction Program incentives, optional Deferred Compensation programs and Credit Union membership are a few of the additional benefits provided and/or available to employees.
For more information, please click here for the Orange Maintenance & Crafts Employees Association Memorandum of Understanding.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
A Medical Examination, Police Records Check, and thorough Background Investigation are required of all prospective employees.
In compliance with the Immigration Reform & Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), all job offers made by the City of Orange are contingent upon establishing proof of your legal right to work in the United States.
All benefitted employees shall be subject to a twelve (12) month probationary period as a condition of employment.
The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The types and levels of employee benefits provided, including City contributions toward benefit costs, are subject to change as a result of periodic contract settlements between recognized employee associations and the City of Orange.
The City of Orange is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
01
What is the highest level of education that you have completed?
02
Do you understand and agree that possession and maintenance of a California class A drivers license with the appropriate endorsements is required?
03
Do you understand and agree that a CWEA Grade I Wastewater Collection System Operator Certificate is required within one (1) year of employment?
04
Do you understand and agree that valid Confined Space, Forklift Training, and Construction Zone Safety Certificates are required within one (1) year of employment?
05
How many years of experience do you possess in the operation of equipment related to the construction and maintenance of systems and facilities involving the operation of medium to heavy construction equipment?
06
Briefly describe your experience in the operation of equipment related to the construction and maintenance of systems and facilities involving the operation of medium to heavy construction equipment? If none, type "N/A"
Required Question
Employer City of Orange
Address 300 E. Chapman Avenue
Orange, California, 92866
Phone (714) 744-7255