Heavy Equipment Operator or Trainee - SanTan

Purpose.  Reward.  Balance.  

Have you ever wondered if you are truly contributing toward something meaningful?  If you’re looking for something more rewarding that isn’t based on profits, consider serving the community you live in.  

Public service is a fulfilling career choice; not only does it provide an immense sense of purpose it also impacts you financially as well.  We may not be the most competitive on salary, but we offer an amazing value to our employees including highly sought after retirement plans and extremely affordable benefit costs.  In the long run, Pinal County is an excellent choice to fulfill your heart and soul along with funding your retirement! 

Pinal County paves the way to work/life balance.  Where else can you find paid sabbaticals every five years plus generous paid time off?  

Check out all of our benefit offerings: 

• An Employer that Values Each Employee and Prioritizes a Work Experience that Provides Ample Time for Stress Reduction and Work Life Balance. 

• Paid Vacation And Sick Leave

  • 15 Vacation Days Accrued Annually Starting Day One

    • After Three (3) Years of Service 18 Vacation Days Accrued Annually

    • After Five (5) Years of Service 20 Vacation Days Accrued Annually

• Ten Paid Holidays + One Paid Floating Holiday to Use as You Wish

• 13 Sick Leave Days Accrued Annually Starting Day One

• Paid Sabbaticals Every Five (5) Years

  • Two Week Sabbatical After Five Years of Continuous Service

  • Three Week Sabbatical After Ten Years of Continuous Service

  • Four Week Sabbatical After Fifteen Years of Continuous Service

  • Four Week Sabbaticals Every Five Years After Fifteen Years of Continuous Service

•   Comprehensive Wellness Program

  • Quarterly Wellness Challenges 

  • Vision Exams and Optometry Events Onsite

  • Vaccination Clinics

  • Onsite Mammogram and Prostate Screening Events

  • Skin Cancer Screening Events Onsite

  • Biometrics and Health Screening Events Onsite

  • Financial Health and Retirement Planning Events Onsite & Online

  • Fitness Resources and Onsite Sessions Like Yoga and Tai Chi

• Retirement Plans with Generous Employer Contributions - Guaranteed Lifetime Benefit!

• Variety of Top Tier Affordable Medical Plans - Six Different Medical Plans to Choose From

  • Some Medical Plans with Zero Employee Premium Cost

• Dental and Vision Plans 

• Tuition Reimbursement Program

• Alternative Work Schedules

• Telehealth 

• Qualified Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program through the Dept of Education

• Employee Assistance Program with Ongoing Training & Development Options

• Civil Service Leave 

• VanPool Options

• Short-Term Disability – Employer Paid

• Basic Life Insurance - Employer Paid

• Flexible Spending Accounts for Dependent Care and Medical Expenses

• Suite of Voluntary Benefits including additional Life, Accident, Critical Illness & Cancer Insurance 

Plus, work with an amazing team of people who are committed to making Pinal County a great place for its citizens and its employees.  

Apply today and find out why Pinal County is more than just a job. 

Before you apply, watch this video to learn helpful tips to completing an application at Pinal County: 

Application Tips 

Read more about the position and see if it is a good match for you:

This position will be located at the Public Works Yard 

THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR BOTH HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINEE AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR. 

JOB SUMMARY - HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINEE 

PAY GRADE 05 

STARTING SALARY: $34,500.00 

Perform entry-level work in the operation of specialized trucks and motorized equipment used for a variety of job functions in the Public Works Department (PWD) and operate tools and equipment in accordance with all safety regulations and procedures under close supervision. This is a trainee position that can transfer into our Heavy Equipment Operator Series. Non-Competitive appointment into the Heavy Equipment Operator is contingent on successful completion of the certifications and training specified in this classification. 

JOB SUMMARY - HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR 

PAY GRADE 07 

STARTING SALARY $39,411.00 

Perform skilled and semi-skilled work in the operation of specialized trucks and motorized equipment used for a variety of job functions in the Public Works Department (PWD) and operate tools and equipment in accordance with all safety regulations and procedures under basic supervision. 

• Operate a variety of specialized equipment to maintain Pinal County roads, roadways, drainage systems and infrastructure, in accordance with all safety regulations and procedures.
• Operate PWD vehicles and motorized equipment, including light trucks, water trucks, mowers, loaders, and back hoes.
• Perform manual labor tasks, repair pot holes, clear debris from culverts and roadway, and move and set barricades.
• Work on assigned projects and make appropriate decisions based on work experience.
• Maintain required daily logs, reports, and maintenance records.
• Clean and perform routine maintenance work on trucks and equipment, identify and report mechanical problems requiring additional repair, and notify supervisors of repair problems beyond the scope of authority.
• Follow all safety rules and regulations, utilize proper safety precautions in all work performed, and report safety hazards, equipment problems, and emergency situations.
• Perform tasks in the interest of public safety during emergencies, perform traffic control activities as needed, report safety hazards and traffic problems, and cross-train in PWD work methods and safety procedures.
• Clean up spills and unsafe conditions in a timely manner and according to procedures.
• Closely follow written and verbal instructions.
• To promote and adhere to the workplace values of accountability, commitment, and teamwork to help enrich lives beyond expectation.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, customer records, and restricted County information.
• Perform other related duties as required.

TYPICAL CLASSIFICATION ESSENTIAL DUTIES - HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR:         

• Operate a variety of specialized and heavy equipment to maintain Pinal County roads, roadways, drainage systems, and infrastructure in accordance with all safety regulations and procedures.
• Work independently to operate PWD vehicles and motorized equipment, including light trucks, water trucks, mowers, loaders, back hoe, grader, dozer, end dump, and belly dump, for its intended purpose.
• Repair roads, spread asphalt, seal cracks, and repair holes, maintain roads and infrastructure; haul materials, transport vehicles and equipment to job sites, grade, water, and roll unpaved roads, sweep and clean roads, and maintain bridges, drains, and culverts.
• Control ongoing work projects to assure that safety rules and regulations are followed.
• Maintain roads and infrastructure as directed, haul materials, and transport vehicles and equipment to job sites, grade, water, and roll unpaved roads, sweep and clean roads, and maintain bridges, drains, and culverts.
• Perform manual labor tasks, repair pot holes, clear debris from culverts and roadway, and move and set barricades.
• Work on assigned projects and make appropriate decisions based on work experience.
• Clean and perform routine maintenance work on trucks and equipment, identify and report mechanical problems requiring additional repair, and notify supervisors of repair problems beyond the scope of authority.
• Follow all safety rules and regulations and utilize proper safety precautions in all work performed and report safety hazards, equipment problems, and emergency situations.
• Perform tasks in the interest of public safety during emergencies, perform traffic control activities as needed, report safety hazards and traffic problems, and cross-train in PWD work methods and safety procedures.
• Clean up spills and unsafe conditions in a timely manner and according to procedures.
• Closely follow written and verbal instructions.
• To promote and adhere to the workplace values of accountability, commitment, and teamwork to help enrich lives beyond expectation.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, customer records, and restricted County information.
• Perform other related duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK - HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINEE:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• One (1) year of construction, maintenance, or related equipment experience. 
• Valid Driver’s License with an Arizona Driver’s License required within 30 days of hire.
• Must obtain Class A Arizona State Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) “standard transmission” with tanker endorsements within first 5 months of employment, failure to maintain the required CDL may be grounds for termination. 
• Or an equivalent combination of training, education or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.    

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK - HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Three (3) years of experience in construction, maintenance, and related equipment OR one (1) year of experience as a Pinal County Operator (Trainee).
• Must obtain Class A Arizona State Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) “standard transmission” with tanker endorsements within first 5 months of employment, failure to maintain the required CDL may be grounds for termination. 
• Or an equivalent combination of training, education or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.    

Preferred Qualifications: 

OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) certification. First Aid / CPR / AED training upon hire. 

Basic Work Zone & Traffic Control (Flagger Certification) upon hire. 

May be required to work evenings, nights, and weekends. 

Special Requirements:

Rehires of less than one year of separation from the Heavy Equipment Operator Trainee position will automatically be placed into the Heavy Equipment Operator Trainee classification until the 1 year requirement has been met. 

Rehires that exceed one year of separation will be reviewed and determined on a case by case basis at the discretion of the hiring department. 

Must meet PWD policy standards for equipment operations and safety record.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - Heavy Equipment Operator Trainee: 

Knowledge of materials and methods used in roadway maintenance. 

Knowledge of Federal and state safety rules and regulations. 

Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions, including proper use and storage of chemicals, and OSHA Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for hazardous chemicals used in the workplace. 

Skill in operating and maintaining tools and equipment in a safe and effective manner. 

Ability to follow directions and maintain safety standards. 

Knowledge of personal computers utilizing standard and specialized software. 

Ability to work with others to complete daily tasks. 

Knowledge of materials, methods, tools, equipment, and supplies used in roadway maintenance. 

Knowledge of materials, methods, tools, equipment, and supplies used in roadway maintenance. 

Knowledge of Federal and state safety rules and regulations, including Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), and AZ-DOT standards, protocols, specifications, and guidelines for public works construction and safety standards in hazardous traffic environments. 

Knowledge of county geography, traffic patterns, streets, landmarks, and PWD facility locations. Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions, including proper use and storage of chemicals, and OSHA Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for hazardous chemicals used in the workplace. 

Knowledge of personal computers utilizing standard and specialized software. 

Skill in performing a full range of skilled and semi-skilled PWD maintenance work. 

Ability to promote and enforce safe work practices. 

Ability to operate and maintain tools and equipment in a safe and effective manner. 

Ability to work with others to complete daily tasks. 

Ability to communicate with residents concerning project completion and access to properties. 

The work is very heavy work and requires exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The work also requires the ability to balance, climb, crawl, crouch, finger, feel, grasp, handle, reach, kneel, lift, pull, push, perform repetitive motion, walk, operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment, hear, speak, stand, stoop, walk, and demonstrate mental and visual acuity. May be required to be on-call. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

 Work is performed outside in an environment with varying weather temperatures.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS:  

 We appreciate your interest in our employment opportunities. At Pinal County, we value professionalism and treating others with respect. If these values are not demonstrated throughout the application and interview process we reserve the right to remove your candidacy from consideration and may impact your future Pinal County applications. 

 The hiring salary for this position is dependent upon experience, qualifications and position funding; starting salaries above the first quartile require additional approval.