Heavy Equipment Operator

TARGET CLOSE DATE:

09/19/2025

PAY GRADE:

Grade 17

TYPE:

Full time

JOB SUMMARY:

Heavy Equipment Operators in the Merit System are responsible for the operation of a variety of street maintenance and utility heavy equipment. Individuals in this classification perform work that involves the execution of specific rules regulations or procedures and employees in this classification are responsible for the efficient and safe operation of heavy equipment. The following is an example of some of the equipment operated by this classification: asphalt distributors backhoes farm equipment front-end loaders fuel trucks mechanical brush pickers rock beaters rubber tire loaders sewer flusher machines sewer rodding machines sewer vacuum machines steel wheel rollers street sweepers tractor-trailer trucks and other related equipment. Work assignments are received either orally or as written work orders and are usually assigned by an immediate supervisor daily. After work assignments are given the work is usually performed with limited supervision. Work is reviewed by on-site observation results obtained and through evaluations. Supervision may be exercised over Laborers Skilled Laborers and Truck Drivers if HEOs supervisor is not at the work site.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Agencies provide competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension) generous paid holidays sick and vacation leave and more.

Applications for this position will be considered for the following Merit System employing agencies. The pay range for this job varies depending upon the Merit System employing agency.


Bessemer: $17.99 - $27.91
Birmingham: $18.74 - $29.08
Center Point: $17.69 - $27.44
Fultondale: $19.52 - $30.28
Gardendale: $21.23 - $32.94
Homewood: $20.72 - $32.15
Hueytown: $19.28 - $29.92
Irondale: $21.65 - $33.58
Jefferson County: $20.21 - $31.36
Leeds: $19.23 - $29.84
Mountain Brook: $22.95 - $35.60
Tarrant: $16.16 - $25.07

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The following are job-related qualifications that are required for employment consideration for this position:

• Class B CDL.

• Experience working in or around heavy equipment (e.g. brush truck rubber tire loader roller limb loader).

• Experience following safety standards related to heavy equipment operation (e.g. setting up work zones locating utility lines flagging).

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES:

• Loads unloads lifts and places various materials (e.g. dirt biosolids pipes brush etc.) using heavy or construction equipment in order to complete construction cleanup or maintenance projects.

• Performs preventative maintenance and basic repairs on heavy or construction equipment (e.g. checking fluids changing parts etc.) in order to maintain efficient equipment operations.

• Promotes safe work practices (e.g. setting up traffic work zones wearing safety gear obeying applicable traffic laws using outriggers etc.) to prevent accidents injuries and property/equipment damage.

• Communicates with members of the public supervisors and subordinates using verbal and written correspondence in order to exchange information concerning heavy or construction equipment operator job duties.

• Loads truck beds with dirt spoils chert rock slag refuse and other excavated materials using front-end loader trackhoe limb loader or backhoe.

• Loads tree trunks branches and stumps onto truck beds using a front-end loader backhoe trackhoe or brush truck/limb loader.

• Loads brush and trash using a mechanical brush picker or self-loader.

• Greases and oils equipment using hand tools grease gun oiler etc.

• Cleans heavy or construction equipment inside and out (e.g. washing vacuuming cleaning windows etc.) to maintain a professional appearance and to ensure equipment is operated safely.

• Wears safety equipment (e.g. safety vests safety glasses gloves masks earplugs back brace hard hat etc) when working on job sites.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Job involves physical exertion required for sustained periods of light physical activity such as operating a refuse truck or standing for prolonged periods of time. May involve occasional lifting of items or objects weighing up to 50 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is primarily performed at outdoor worksites such as residential neighborhoods landfills etc. Work involves use of heavy equipment such as front-end loaders bobcats etc. as well as a variety of hand tools. May require exposure to potentially hazardous work conditions (e.g. working in and around traffic in and around landfills working in and around heavy equipment). May also require exposure to inclement weather when working outdoors (e.g. extreme heat cold rain snow wind) as well as working around foul odors and potentially harmful waste.

EEO STATEMENT:

The Personnel Board of Jefferson Countyprovides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training. Each Merit System member city/agencyoperate its own equal employment opportunity policies available on the individual city/agency website.

ACCOMMODATION:

NOTE:

This job posting may close before or be extended beyond the listed Target Close Date based on the employment needs of the Merit System. More detail regarding this job is available by clicking Apply.

DISCLAIMER:

This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties responsibilities or skills and abilities required to do the job and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.