Equipment Operator - Water Distribution/Sewer

Equipment Operator - Water Distribution/Sewer Salary $20.62 - $31.19 Hourly

Location: Fort Myers, FL Job Type: Full-Time Job Number: 26-1422 Department: Water Distribution - Maintenance Opening Date: 01/12/2026 Closing Date: Continuous FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Safety Sensitive: YES Level II Screening: NO

Job Description

The City of Fort Myers strives to be an employer of choice and most of our employees turn jobs into long term careers. The salary shown in the job description is the full range for this position from entry to later career. NEW EMPLOYEES ARE HIRED AT, OR NEAR THE ENTRY POINT SHOWN, DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE.

Under the general direction of the designated supervisor, the incumbent performs semi-skilled work in the operation of equipment and devices used in the maintenance of City streets including, but not limited to the repair of pavement, sinkholes and potholes, rights-of-ways, canals, roadways, solid waste disposal, sewer, stormwater repair & maintenance, parks and recreational facilities, and construction projects. This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Responsibilities and Reporting

During an Emergency Situation: Essential Employees may be required to work during a declared emergency. Depending on the nature of the emergency, this may require working around the clock for several days on short notice. Non-Essential Employees will not be required to work during a declared emergency. The employee's Department Head will determine when the employee will be required to work.

Duties/Responsibilities When Assigned to Water or Sewer, or Stormwater Distribution:

• Operates a vacuum / jetter truck, Valve Machine, Skidsteer, slope mower, flat deck/bush hog mower, excavator, and other essential equipment to accomplish the task.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledgeable in various types of semi-skilled manual work performed in maintenance and repair of municipal storm water systems, irrigation, roadways, and/or related structures.
• Knowledgeable in various types of manual, gas, or diesel powered equipment employed in maintenance and repair of municipal storm water systems, irrigation, roadways, and/or related structures.
• Knowledgeable in occupational safety rules, practices and personal protective equipment associated with performing duties using heavy equipment, in traffic and in adverse weather conditions.
• Knowledgeable in the City and State rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Skilled in the safe use and operation of various maintenance and repair tools and light gas or diesel powered equipment
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to adapt to performing under frequent deadlines and/or in response to emergencies.
• Ability to operate necessary equipment.
• Ability to follow both oral and written directions.
• Ability to recognize and address common safety issues in the field
• Ability to detect improper functioning mechanical systems
• Ability to effectively use devices such as a computer or tablet.

Minimum Requirements

• High School diploma or GED.
• One (1) year experience in the operation of equipment including, but not limited to regular boom grad-all, asphalt patch truck, small backhoe, Scatback, Flusher, sewer cleaning truck, dump truck, vacuum / jetter truck, dump truck with tandem trailer attached, flatbed, front loader, grader, or similar equipment.
• Mandatory Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) Drug/Alcohol Testing required.
• Must possess or obtain within 12 months of hire a valid Florida Class "A" Commercial Driver's License with tanker endorsement with an acceptable driving record.
• Must have or obtain within 12 months of appointment Intermediate MOT certification.

When Assigned to Water Distribution:

• Must hold a State of Florida Level three (3) or higher Water Distribution System Operator License at the time of hire or be able to obtain within eighteen (18) months from date of hire.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

This work typically requires the following physical activities to be performed:

• Balancing - maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching.
• Climbing - ascending, descending ladders, stairs, ramps, requires body agility.
• Crawling - moving about on hands, knees, or hands, feet.
• Crouching - bending body forward by bending leg, spine.
• Feeling - perceiving attributes of objects by touch with skin, fingertips.
• Fingering - picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand.
• Grasping - applying pressure to object with fingers, palm.
• Handling - picking, holding, or working with whole hand.
• Hearing 1 - perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information.
• Hearing 2 - receive detailed information, make discrimination in sound.
• Kneeling - bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees.
• Lifting - raising objects from lower to higher position, moving objects side to side, using upper extremities, back.
• Pushing - use upper extremities to press against objects with force, or thrust forward, downward, outward.
• Reaching - extending hands or arms in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion - substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers.
• Speaking - expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely.
• Standing - for sustained periods of time.
• Stooping - bending body downward, forward at waist, with full motion of lower extremities and back.
• Talking 1- expressing ideas by spoken word
• Talking 2 - shouting to be heard above ambient noise.
• Visual Acuity 2 - color, depth perception, field of vision.
• Visual Acuity 3 - determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures.
• Visual Acuity 4 - operate motor vehicles/heavy equipment.
• Visual Acuity 5 -close acuity for inspection of small defects, machines, use measurement devices, or fabricate parts.
• Walking - on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site.
• Mental Acuity - ability to make rational decisions through sound logic, deductive reasoning.
• Pulling - use upper extremities to exert force, haul or tug.

Work Environment

Tasks are performed outside, subject to weather conditions and uneven terrain, and risk of exposure to toxic agents/chemicals, pathogens, and smoke. Must have the ability to work after hours, including nights, weekends, holidays and during emergencies. May be required to work hours other than the regular schedule including on call hours.

To Perform this Job Successfully

An individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions described herein. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Full-time Regular City Employee Benefits

• Health Insurance (Florida Blue)
• City paid employee coverage. HMO or PPO plans are available. Dependents can be added, Employee pays 30% of premium. Premium deductions are taken pre-tax.
• Basic Life Insurance (USAble Life)
• City paid. The benefit is equal to 1x the annual base pay, rounded to the nearest $1000.00.
• Optional Vision Insurance (VSP)
• Employee-paid insurance is available at group rates, and family plans are available to employees. Premium deductions are taken pre-tax.
• Optional Dental Insurance (Humana)
• Employee-paid insurance is available at group rates, and family plans are available to employees. Premium deductions are taken pre-tax.
• Supplemental Insurance
• Employees may purchase various types of supplemental insurance (life, AFLAC) at group rates through payroll deduction.
• Pension Plan (General) Administered by Resource Centers
• Pension Plan (Police and Fire) administered by Foster & Foster
• 401(a) (Mission Square)
• Certain management positions can opt out of the General Pension into a 401(a).
• Roth IRA (Mission Square)
• Offered through payroll deduction.
• Disability (USAble Life)
• Employee paid short & long-term disability insurance.
• Leave Time (Sick, Vacation)
• Paid Holidays
• City recognizes 13 holidays which include: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, Birthday Holiday and Floating Holiday.
• Birthday and Float after 1-year of service.
• Deferred Compensation Programs (Mission Square) OR (Nationwide)
• Tax-deferred savings plan available for retirement purposes. Employee-only contributions.
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employees can elect to use pre-tax dollars to cover un-reimbursed medical or dependent daycare expenses.
• Payroll Direct Deposit
• Available to any banking institution or credit union. Suncoast Federal Schools Credit Union membership is available to City employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (ESI)
• City-paid availability to licensed professional counselors for non-work related personal issues with 100% confidentiality. Please note: Benefits do not apply to On-Call, Temporary, or Seasonal positions. Insurance Benefits only apply to regular Full-time positions.

Application Questions

1. Do you currently possess a minimum of a High School diploma or GED or higher? Yes No
2. Do you currently possess a minimum of one (1) year of experience in the operation of equipment including, but not limited to regular boom grad-all, asphalt patch truck, small backhoe, Scatback, Flusher, sewer cleaning truck, dump truck, vacuum/jetter truck, dump truck with tandem trailer attached, flatbed, front loader, grader, or similar equipment? Yes No
3. If the answer is Yes to question #