CALTRANS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I

State of California; California; On-site; USD 51,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

State of California is seeking a CALTRANS Equipment Operator I located in Orange County to operate, maintain and repair landscape equipment used on the State Highway System. This position may require overtime, nights, weekends, and emergency responses, and could involve rotation through various shifts or locations.

New to State candidates are hired at the minimum salary, with eligibility determined by the CALTRANS Equipment Operator I exam.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of operation and care of automotive equipment including light trucks and landscape machinery.
• Ability to use tools, follow directions, perform manual labor and adapt methods for problems.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and repair maintenance and landscape equipment.
• Perform general labor tasks related to landscape of the State Highway System.
• Overtime, night shifts, weekends, and emergency responses may be required.

Job description

Job Posting: CALTRANS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I

Department of Transportation

$4,571.00 - $5,710.00 per Month

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 11/6/2026

Job Description and Duties

Under the direction of a Caltrans Maintenance Supervisor or guidance of a Caltrans Highway Maintenance Leadworker, the Caltrans Equipment Operator I operates, maintains, and repairs various maintenance and landscape equipment; performs general laboring tasks associated with the landscape of the State Highway System. The incumbent may be required to work overtime, work irregular shifts/alternate work schedules including nights, holidays, and weekends; may be required to work temporary and/or intermittent varied work shifts and required to respond to emergency situations and calls. May be loaned to other cost centers. This position is represented under collective bargaining.

Applications will be screened and only the most competitive candidates will be invited for an interview.

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.

Please take this 1-minute Caltrans Recruitment survey to tell us how you found out about this job.

https://forms.office.com/g/RyK102ty4G

https://youtu.be/oC9wIp8QalI

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

Positions located throughout Orange County.

Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment.

The employee will be based at a Maintenance Station in a climate-controlled environment under artificial lights, but most of the duties and time will be spent outdoors operating equipment and/or performing manual labor. Weather conditions vary from a cold, windy and wet winter climate to a very hot and dry summer climate. May be exposed to dirt, dust, fumes, hot materials, chemicals, loud noises, inclement weather, steep uneven and/or unstable terrain, fast moving traffic, and/or extreme temperatures. May be required to sit or stand for long periods of time. May be exposed/put in stressful situations. Will be required to wear long pants and appropriate footwear in good condition, and must wear provided Personal Protective Safety Equipment including but not limited to: shirts and/or vests, hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, face shields, respirators, ear plugs, as well as other safety devices deemed necessary. The incumbent will be required to travel extensively throughout the assigned area and may be required to travel and work in other areas in the District.

Minimum Requirements

• CALTRANS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-536870

Position #: 912-681-6890-918

Working Title: CALTRANS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I

Classification: CALTRANS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I
$4,571.00 - $5,710.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions: Multiple

Work Location: Orange County

Telework: In Office

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Caltrans Mission: Improving lives and communities through transportation.

Caltrans Vision: A thriving and connected California.

The Caltrans workforce is made up of diverse and unique individuals who contribute to our organizational success.

Department Website: www.dot.ca.gov

Director’s EEO Policy: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Director’s EEO Policy Statement: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.
• The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
• This classification requires a valid and unrestricted class B driver's license with tanker (N) endorsement and a current medical certificate.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license is required when operating a State owned or leased vehicle.

This position is subject to the Post & Bid process. Applications from a certification list, transfer, change-in-class, reinstatement, re-employment, and/or training and development assignment will be accepted for this position but may not be considered unless the Post & Bid process does not result in a hire.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent. Please visit either of the following two websites for a list of evaluation agencies: https://www.naces.org/members or https://aice-eval.org. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.

Desirable Qualifications

Knowledge: Operation and care of automotive equipment including: light trucks; minor construction equipment, repair and maintenance of equipment; basic safe work practices to protect their own safety and health of others; provisions of the California Vehicle Code applying to the operation of vehicles; regulations and safety practices pertaining to highway emergencies; fire suppression techniques; emergency first aid; familiarization with various highway, structure, emergency service, or landscape maintenance and constriction equipment including operation, servicing, minor adjustment and emergency repairs to such equipment; the safety and health policies and procedures contained in the Department's Injury and Illness Prevention Program. Must possess a knowledge of statewide Maintenance functions and the mission, goals, organization and procedures of the Department of Transportation.

Ability & Analytical: Must be able to use, operate and care for various manual and power tools. Communicate and follow both oral and written directions at a level required for successful job performance; do manual labor; assist in work relating to the maintenance of highway, structure and landscaped areas; keep records. This employee must have the ability to modify and change work methods to solve various problems encountered in daily operations and emergency situations.

Benefits

to view the Benefits Summary for Civil Service Employees in the State of California.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Human Resources Contact:
Leah Seale
[phone]
[e-mail]

Hiring Unit Contact:
Debra Cline
[phone]
[e-mail]

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Caltrans EEO Office
[phone]
[e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.