CALTRANS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I
Department of Transportation
Job Description and Duties
Working under the supervision of a Caltrans Maintenance Supervisor, the incumbent operates equipment identified as Category 2 used by the assigned unit and works individually or with a crew performing tasks related to highway maintenance work. Some examples include but are not limited to: auger truck, fork‑lift, backhoe, crane truck, cone truck, shadow truck and various trailers. 50% of the time may be mandated to work out of town on ‘per diem’. Incumbent will be working with other crews, when needed. Required to possess a valid Class B driver's license with Tank endorsement; Hazardous Material endorsement desirable.
Employee would accomplish tasks normally performed by assigned unit, including but not limited to, paving, shoulder grading, mowing, ditch cleaning, dig outs, pavement patching, repair or replacement of signs, markers, fence, guardrail, clean culverts, traffic control, lane closures, litter removal, dispose of animal carcasses, maintenance of roadside rest areas and other duties that would be assigned to a Highway Maintenance Worker or Landscape Maintenance Worker.
Equipment care and Record Keeping: cleans, makes minor repairs and services equipment. Keeps records of time reporting, equipment pre‑op/post‑op, material use and other pertinent records.
If properly licensed and equipment qualified, employee may operate Class A equipment during times of emergency or unexpected/unplanned workload increases.
Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Caltrans Equipment Operator I exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.
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You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
Position located at 13070 E. Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks, Lake County.
Employee may travel out of town on per diem for training, meetings and other job related duties.
Required to work in a wide range of sometimes extreme weather conditions, including heat up to 120 degrees and cold to 20 degrees. Could be exposed to strong winds, rain, sleet and snow while performing duties. Will be required to work overtime due to storms, emergencies, special work projects or when Supervision deems that it is in the best interest of the State.
Personal safety requirements include:
- Work boots in good study condition must be worn to provide foot and ankle support protection.
- Either long or short sleeve shirts provided by Caltrans or a safety vest worn over no‑safety shirts or coats.
- Long pants. No cutoffs or shorts.
- Provided safety gear; hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection devices, face shields, gloves, respirators, chaps or other safety must be worn when required by the Department.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Special Requirements
- The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.
- The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
Possession of a valid and unrestricted Class B commercial driver license with a N (Tank Vehicle) endorsement.
Minimum qualifications:
Either I – One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Caltrans Highway Maintenance Worker or Caltrans Landscape Maintenance Worker.
Or II – Either of the following:
- Two years of experience in the California Department of Transportation performing the duties of a Service Assistant (Maintenance) including training in and operation of highway maintenance or construction equipment.
- One year of experience within the last five years (extended for equivalent military service) in operating highway construction or maintenance equipment or in operating light trucks requiring a Class B commercial driver license.
- Possession of certification as a Heavy Equipment Operator Technician from an accredited college or university.
For more information about District 1, view here: https://youtu.be/KL60isfvi1s
This position is subject to the Post & Bid process. Applications from a certification list, transfer, reinstatement, re‑employment, and/or training and development assignment will be accepted for this position, but cannot be acted upon unless the Post & Bid process does not result in a hire.
Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation. Please visit evaluation agencies: https://www.naces.org/members or https://aice-eval.org/. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process.
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages:
Department of Transportation
Certification Services MS‑90
P O Box 168036
Sacramento, CA 95816‑8036
Address for Drop‑Off Application Packages:
Department of Transportation
Drop‑Off Address
Caltrans DHR Contact
Classification and Hiring Unit – ECOS
1727 30th Street, MS 90
Sacramento, CA 95816
Closed on weekends and State holidays.
08:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is optional.
Desirable Qualifications
- Materials, methods, and equipment used in bridge, sweeping and culvert cleaning.
- Perform heavy manual labor, follow oral and written directions. Works in close cooperation with crew members, other branches, maintenance crews, other state agencies, city and county agencies, and the general public.
- Possession of a valid Class “B” California Commercial Driver License with a minimum of tank endorsement. Possession of a hazardous material endorsement desirable but not required. Class A is desirable.
- Ability to work safely around high‑density traffic.
- Ability to work effectively alone or with others.
- Must be able to analyze various work situations accurately and make sound decisions.
- May work irregular shifts, nights, or weekends as required.
- Much of this position is labor intensive. Incumbent must have physical ability to react quickly to errant motorist and do strenuous hand and mechanical labor.
Benefits
Click HERE to view the Benefits Summary for Civil Service Employees in the State of California.
Contact Information
Human Resources Contact: Kevin Hoang, (279) 234‑2245, kevin.r.hoang@dot.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact: Tricia McKenzie, (707) 798‑7490, Tricia.McKenzie@dot.ca.gov
EEO Contact: Caltrans EEO Office, (844) 368‑3367, Ask.eeo@dot.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1‑800‑735‑2929 (TTY), 1‑800‑735‑2922 (Voice)
Important Application Instructions
The State application (STD. 678) is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. For mailed or hand delivered applications to be considered for this position, the Job Control number (JC‑502052), PARF# 01‑6‑165 and title of the position (Caltrans Equipment Operator I) must be included on the STD. 678 form.
Electronic applications through your CalCareers account are highly recommended and encouraged.
Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications based on possession of EDUCATION, LICENSE, OR CERTIFICATE must include a copy of your DEGREE/TRANSCRIPTS, LICENSE, or CERTIFICATE, along with your State application (STD. 678), to be considered for this position.
NOTE: Do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State application (STD. 678). This page is for examination use only. Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number, birth date, driver’s license number, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug‑free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.