CALTRANS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I

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

Job summary

State of California, Caltrans, is seeking an Equipment Operator I to operate Category 2 equipment under supervision and support highway maintenance teams. The role requires a valid Class B CDL with Tank endorsement and the ability to work in varied weather and overtime as needed.

Applicants should have relevant experience or be eligible through Caltrans' exam and eligibility processes. This is a full-time on-site position with state employment benefits and compliance requirements.

Qualifications

• Valid Class B commercial driver's license with Tank endorsement (N) required or highly desired.
• Experience in highway maintenance or equipment operation is implied for the role.
• Willingness to work overtime and in extreme weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Operate Category 2 maintenance equipment under supervision.
• Work alone or with a crew on highway maintenance tasks.

Skills

CDL Tank Endorsement

Job description

Job Posting: CALTRANS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I

Department of Transportation

JC-531047 -

CALTRANS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I

$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: 9/14/2026

Application Methods: Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account) By Mail Drop-off

Under general direction of a Caltrans Maintenance Supervisor (CMS) or designee, employee operates equipment identified as Category 2 used by the assigned unit. Works individually or with a crew performing tasks related to highway maintenance work. Must possess a valid Class B drivers license with a Tank endorsement, Class A are desirable.

PARF# 01-26-0078 / JC-531047

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.

Job Description and Duties

Under general direction of a Caltrans Maintenance Supervisor (CMS) or designee, employee operates equipment identified as Category 2 used by the assigned unit. Works individually or with a crew performing tasks related to highway maintenance work. Must possess a valid Class B drivers license with a Tank endorsement, Class A are desirable.

Working Conditions

Position located at 634 CA-96 Willow Creek, Humboldt County.

Required to work in a wide range of sometimes extreme weather conditions, including heat up to 120 degrees and cold to 20 degrees. Could be exposed to strong winds, rain, sleet and snow while performing duties. Will be required to work overtime due to storms, emergencies, special work projects or when Supervision deems that it is in the best interest of the State.

Personal safety requirements include:

• Work boots in good study condition must be worn to provide foot and ankle support protection.
• Either long or short sleeve shirts provided by Caltrans or a safety vest worn over no-safety shirts or coats.
• Long pants. No cutoffs or shorts.
• Provided safety gear; hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection devices, face shields, gloves, respirators, chaps or other safety must be worn when required by the Department.

Minimum Requirements

• 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.
• Possession of a valid and unrestricted Class B commercial driver license with a N (Tank Vehicle) endorsement.

Either I - One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Caltrans Highway Maintenance Worker or Caltrans Landscape Maintenance Worker.

Or II Either of the following:

• Two years of experience in the California Department of Transportation performing the duties of a Service Assistant (Maintenance) including training in and operation of highway maintenance or construction equipment.
• One year of experience within the last five years (this time limitation is extended for a period equivalent to that spent in recognized military service during the last five years) in operating highway construction or maintenance equipment or in operating light trucks requiring a Class B commercial driver license.
• Possession of certification as a Heavy Equipment Operator Technician from a college or university accredited by the California Superintendent of Public Instruction, or a college or university approved by the Bureau on Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education, under the provisions of California Education Code Chapter 3, Part 59, Division 10.

For more information about District 1, view here: https://youtu.be/KL60isfvi1s

This position is subject to the Post & Bid process. Applications from a certification list, transfer, reinstatement, re-employment, and/or training and development assignment will be accepted for this position, but cannot be acted upon 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

• Class A driver's license with Tank (N) endorsement

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.

The State application (STD. 678) is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. For mailed or hand delivered applications to be considered for this position, the Job Control number (JC-531047), PARF# 01-26-0078 and title of the position (Caltrans Equipment Operator I) must be included on the STD. 678 form.

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 workplace. 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.