Equipment Operator/Equipment Operator Specialist/Equipment Operator Senior - Corpus Christi

Build Texas, One Mile at a Time. Are you ready to take the driver’s seat in shaping and maintaining the highways that keep Texas moving? As an Equipment Operator with TxDOT, you'll operate some of the industry's most powerful and specialized heavy equipment, including tractor-trailer haul trucks, motor graders, excavators, bulldozers, cranes, asphalt paving equipment, milling machines, herbicide trucks, and dump trucks. This position offers the opportunity to work independently on challenging transportation maintenance projects that directly impact the traveling public. From constructing and maintaining roadways to operating specialized equipment in a variety of field conditions, you'll play a vital role in keeping Texas roads safe, efficient, and dependable. If you take pride in operating heavy equipment, solving problems in the field, and seeing the results of your work every day, TxDOT offers a rewarding career where your skills help build the future of transportation in Texas.

Annual Salary Ranges:

Equipment Operator:                  (A18) $45,521 - $71,055 
Equipment Operator Specialist: (A19) $48,244 - $76,028 
Equipment Operator Senior:      (A20) $51,158 - $81,351 

The Texas Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level position based on the applicant's work experience, education, skill level, and all other appropriate factors and based on business needs. 

At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package
To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Equipment Operator:

Performs complex transportation maintenance work operating heavy equipment such as: a tractor-trailer haul truck, motor grader, large excavator, heavy bulldozer, crane, herbicide truck, heavy asphalt paving machine, self-propelled asphalt distributor, profiling/milling machine, and dump truck. Work requires contact with private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

Equipment Operator Specialist:

Performs highly complex transportation maintenance work operating heavy equipment such as: a tractor-trailer haul truck, motor grader, large excavator, heavy bulldozer, crane, herbicide truck, heavy asphalt paving machine, self-propelled asphalt distributor, profiling/milling machine, and dump truck. Work requires contact with private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

Equipment Operator Senior:

Performs advanced transportation maintenance work operating heavy equipment such as: a tractor-trailer haul truck, motor grader, large excavator, heavy bulldozer, crane, herbicide truck, heavy asphalt paving machine, self-propelled asphalt distributor, profiling/milling machine, and dump truck. Work requires contact with private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

Essential Duties for Equipment Operator:

• Assists with traffic control; places and gathers cones, warning signs and barricades; flags traffic.
• Operates one or more types of complex heavy equipment such as tractor-trailer haul truck, motor grader, large excavator,
  heavy bulldozer, crane, herbicide truck, heavy asphalt paving machine, self-propelled asphalt profiling/milling machine and dump
  truck.
• Performs preventive maintenance inspections (PMI), routine servicing and minor repairs on equipment; as required
  uses/moves equipment/tools, materials and products related to these activities to include tires and equipment attachments.
• Operates tractor-trailer haul trucks to relocate heavy and light equipment including loading, securing, and unloading
  equipment on haul trailers in compliance with federal, state, and Department motor vehicle laws, regulations, and standards.
• May serve as a work crew project lead ensuring work performed meets project specifications.
• May train other employees on the operation of equipment and safety procedures.
• Operates heavy equipment performing highly complex transportation maintenance and roadway repairs.
• Sands or cleans bridges and roads, posting warning signs, helping the public and performing other work as directed during
  emergency situations such as floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, snowstorms, accidents and hazardous material spills.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Essential Duties for Equipment Operator Specialist (In addition to the above):

• Trains other employees on equipment operation and safety procedures.
• Operates light equipment such as a front-end loader one and a quarter cubic yards or less, pneumatic roller, rotary
  broom, spreader box, backhoe, street sweeper, and mower.

Essential Duties for Equipment Operator Senior (In addition to the above):

• Serves as a work crew project lead ensuring work performed meets project specifications.
• Coordinates equipment operations for daily work assignments.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

No education required.

Experience:

Equipment Operator: 1 year experience*
Equipment Operator Specialist: 2 years experience*
Equipment Operator Senior: 4 years experience*

*Experience in maintenance or construction equipment operation. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent) Related college education or relevant technical training may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
• Must have a valid Texas Commercial Driver's License class "A" with an "N" endorsement for equipment operation at time of application.
• Commercial Driver Certificate (issued at time of hire).
• Safety Impact Certificate (issued at time of hire).

Preferred Qualifications:

Texas Commercial Driver's License with "N" endorsement and without "E" or "O" restrictions.

Competencies - Equipment Operator/Equipment Operator Specialist/Equipment Operator Senior

• Methods, procedures, equipment, and materials used in intermodal transportation engineering construction and
  maintenance work
• The Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
• Basic vehicle mechanics, maintenance and repair procedures
• Using applicable hand and power tools, equipment, and mechanical devices of the trade
• Operating light and heavy highway equipment
• Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others
• Maintaining a safe working environment
• Communicate effectively
• Follow verbal and written instructions
• Drive and ride in a vehicle for extended periods

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Subject to extreme cold and heat; below 32 or above 100 degrees for more than one hour
• Subject to outside environmental conditions; no effective weather protection
• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions
• Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs
• Medium work: Lift up to 50 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 25 lbs
• Kneeling-bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee(s)
• Crouching-bending body downward and forward by bending leg(s) and spine
• Standing-prolonged periods of time
• Talking-expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words
• Hearing-perceive sound at normal speaking levels; receive information by oral communication
• Walking-moving on foot to accomplish tasks: long distance/from one work site to another

Conditions of Employment:
Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT).

• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize “medical marijuana” under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.
• Required to work weekends and holidays.
• Required to work hours other than 8 to 5.
• Required to work under exposure to inclement weather conditions.
• Required to wear personal protective equipment provided by employer and comply with all safety requirements.

• Must be able to report for duty within 45 minutes of notification on a 24-hour basis to respond to emergency situations.

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category. 

To view the MOS codes please click on link below and click on the appropriate occupational category.

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.

Please click this link to read the information for applicants: Additional Applicant Information