Equipment Operator and Equipment Operator Specialist - Special Jobs (Abilene)

Join Our Team in Abilene, TX!

Looking for a career where every day makes a difference? TxDOT is hiring a Equipment Operator / Equipment Operator Specialist in our Abilene District. If you enjoy working outdoors, want to help keep roadways safe for your family, friends, and community, this is your opportunity! 
At TxDOT, we have three core values: Safety for our employees and the traveling public, value our employees, and preserve our assets. We also strive to achieve a work-life balance and recognize the importance of your career as well as your home life.  

Don’t just build a career—build Texas. Apply today and become part of the TxDOT family!

Salary Grade

Equipment Operator: A18 ($45,521-$71,055)
Equipment Operator Specialist: A19 ($48,244-$76,028)

***The Texas Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level of 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.

Essential Duties:

Essential Duties for the Equipment Operator include:

• Assists with traffic control; places and gathers cones, warning signs, and barricades; flags traffic.
• Monitors and completes various required reports including time-keeping, equipment forms, inventory, accident forms, Preventative Maintenance Inspection (PMI) checklist, and records work in progress.
• 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 train other employees on the operation of equipment and safety procedures.
• Operates heavy equipment such as a front-end loader one and a half cubic yards or more, large dragline, shovel, and paint striper.
• 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.

Additional Essential Duties for the Equipment Operator Specialist include:

• *Trains other employees on equipment operation and safety procedures.
• May serve as a work crew project lead ensuring work performed meets project specifications.
• May coordinate equipment operations for daily work assignments..
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: No education required.

Experience for Equipment Operator: 1 year experience in maintenance and/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

Experience for Equipment Operator Specialist: 2 year experience in maintenance and/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 US 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.

Competencies:

Competencies for Equipment Operator:

Considerable knowledge of:

• Applicable industry safety standards, guidelines, and specification codes

Some knowledge of:

• Methods, procedures, equipment, and materials used in intermodal transportation engineering construction and maintenance
• The Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
• Basic vehicle mechanics, maintenance and repair procedures

Proficient skill in:

• 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

Some skill in:

• Training in a classroom, office, or field environment

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively
• Follow verbal and written instructions
• Drive and ride in a vehicle for extended periods

Additional Competencies for Equipment Operator Specialist:

Considerable knowledge of:

• 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

• Applicable industry safety standards, guidelines, and specification codes

Proficient skill in:

• Training in a classroom, office, or field environment

• Coordinating labor, materials, and equipment

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Subject to environmental conditions; protection from weather but not temperature changes
• Subject to outside environmental conditions; no effective weather protection
• Subject to extreme cold and heat; below 32 and/or above 100 degrees for more than one hour
• Subject to hazards-moving vehicles/mechanical parts, high places/heat, or chemicals
• Required to wear protective gear-respirator, hard hat, or other device
• Medium work: Lift up to 50 lbs. at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 25 lbs.
• Climbing-ascending/descending ladders, stairs, scaffoldings, ramps, etc.
• Balancing-walking, standing, crouching, on various surfaces without falling
• Stooping-bending body downward and forward by bending spine at waist
• Kneeling-bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee(s)
• Crawling-moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet
• Reaching-extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction
• Standing - prolonged periods of time
• Walking - moving on foot to accomplish tasks; long distance/from one work site to another
• Lifting-raising objects from lower to higher position/horizontally to a different position
• Talking-expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words
• Repetitive Motion-substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes visual inspection of small defects/parts
• Close Visual Acuity-using measurement devices; and/or assembly of fabrication parts
• Visual Acuity-operate machines, such as drill presses, power saws, and mills
• Visual Acuity-operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment
• Visual Acuity-determine work quality/make general observations of facilities/structures

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.
• 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