CALTRANS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I

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

Job summary

State of California Caltrans is seeking an Equipment Operator I to operate, maintain and repair a range of maintenance and landscape equipment for the State Highway System. The role may require overtime and irregular shifts including nights, holidays and weekends, with travel throughout the assigned area.

Applicants must meet California CDL requirements, pass a drug screening, and hold a valid class B license with tanker endorsement and a current medical certificate.

Qualifications

• CDL is required for this position.
• Drug screening is required prior to hire.
• Valid Class B license with tanker endorsement and a current medical certificate are required.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and repair maintenance and landscape equipment.
• Perform general laboring tasks for state highway landscape areas.
• May work overtime and irregular shifts including nights, holidays, and weekends; travel as needed.

Skills

CDL required

Drug screening

Class B with tanker

Medical certificate

Driver's license

Job description

Job Posting:CALTRANS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I

Department of Transportation

JC-536870 -

$4,571.00 - $5,710.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 11/6/2026

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, search by typing in the classification title.

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

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• CALTRANS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I

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.

Caltrans Vision: A thriving and connected California.

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

• 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.

Possessionof 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

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

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.

Click HERE 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.

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.

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.

Electronic applications through your CalCareers account are highly recommended and encouraged.

Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications based on possession of EDUCATION, LICENSE, OR CERTIFICATE must include a copy of your DEGREE/TRANSCRIPTS, LICENSE, or CERTIFICATE, along with your State application (STD. 678), to be considered for this position.

NOTE: Do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State application (STD. 678). This page is for examination use only. Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number, birth date, driver’s license number, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. The job application packet checklist is not required to apply for this position. Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application not being considered for this position.

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.

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).