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.
Apply today to join our team! We especially encourage applicants to check out our Caltrans Career Compass tool! The Caltrans Career Compass is a tool to assist and help candidates understand and succeed in applying to Caltrans positions.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
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.
CALTRANS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I
Special Requirements
- Possession of a valid driver’s license is required when operating a state owned or leased vehicle.
Possession of a valid and unrestricted Class B commercial driver license with a N (Tank Vehicle) endorsement. And
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 (this time limitation is extended for a period equivalent to that spent in recognized military service during the last five years) 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 a college or university accredited by the California Superintendent of Public Instruction, or a college or university approved by the Bureau on Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education, under the provisions of California Education Code Chapter 3, Part 59, Division 10.
Desirable Qualifications
In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
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.