Construction Equipment Operator

Personnel Board of Jefferson County; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement plan

Paid holidays

Sick leave

Vacation leave

Job summary

Personnel Board of Jefferson County is seeking Construction Equipment Operators for the Merit System in the Birmingham area. The role requires operating large gasoline- and diesel-powered machinery with independence and strict safety, reviewing work as it progresses.

Typical duties include backfilling, road prep, material handling, and basic maintenance on equipment. Compensation and benefits include medical and dental insurance, a retirement plan, and generous holidays and leave.

Qualifications

• CDL license required with ability to obtain Class A CDL and/or HAZMAT endorsement if required by jurisdiction.
• Experience working around construction equipment (backhoe, grader, track dozer, track loader).
• Follow safety standards related to heavy/construction equipment operation.

Responsibilities

• Backfills, excavates, spreads, and scrapes according to project specs using heavy equipment.
• Prepare roads/ditches/land using heavy equipment for construction or maintenance.
• Communicate with public, supervisors, and staff regarding job duties via verbal/written notes.
• Load/unload materials using heavy equipment to complete projects.
• Perform preventative maintenance and basic repairs on equipment.
• Promote safe work practices and set up traffic work zones as required.
• Supervise staff by assigning work and providing training where needed.

Skills

CDL license (Class B)

Experience with heavy equipment

Safety standards adherence

Communication

Job description

Job Summary

Construction Equipment Operators in the Merit System operate a variety of heavy, complex gasoline- and diesel-powered construction equipment requiring a high level of skill. Employees work with considerable independence and are responsible for the safe and proper operation of assigned equipment, often ensuring the safety of nearby workers and assisting less experienced coworkers. Work is assigned through work orders, verbal instructions, or general guidelines and is reviewed during progress and upon completion. This classification is distinguished by the regular operation of large, often track-mounted equipment such as bulldozers, track hoes, motor graders, cranes, and similar machinery. Employees must exercise significant care to prevent equipment damage and ensure safe, effective operations.

Compensation & Benefits

Agencies provide competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more.

Target Close Date

10/02/2026

Pay Grade

Grade 18

Type

Full time

Job Summary

Construction Equipment Operators in the Merit System operate a variety of heavy, complex gasoline- and diesel-powered construction equipment requiring a high level of skill. Employees work with considerable independence and are responsible for the safe and proper operation of assigned equipment, often ensuring the safety of nearby workers and assisting less experienced coworkers. Work is assigned through work orders, verbal instructions, or general guidelines and is reviewed during progress and upon completion. This classification is distinguished by the regular operation of large, often track-mounted equipment such as bulldozers, track hoes, motor graders, cranes, and similar machinery. Employees must exercise significant care to prevent equipment damage and ensure safe, effective operations.

Compensation & Benefits

Agencies provide competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more.

Applications for this position will be considered for the following Merit System employing agencies. The pay range for this job varies depending upon the Merit System employing agency.

Bessemer: $19.26 - $29.89

Birmingham: $19.68 - $30.53

Center Point: $18.57 - $28.81

Fultondale: $21.30 - 33.05

Gardendale: $22.97 - $35.63

Homewood: $22.73 - $35.26

Jefferson County: $21.86 - $33.91

Mountain Brook: $24.69 - $38.30

Tarrant: $16.97 - $26.32

Vestavia Hills: $22.87 - $35.48

Minimum Qualifications

• Class B commercial driver's license with the ability to obtain a Class A CDL and/or HAZMAT endorsement within 90 days if required by jurisdiction.
• Experience working in or around construction equipment (e.g., backhoe, motorgrader, track dozer, track loader).
• Experience following safety standards related to heavy/construction equipment operation (e.g., setting up work zones, locating utility lines, flagging).

Typical Job Duties

• Backfills, excavates, spreads, and scrapes specified parts of construction or maintenance projects using heavy or construction equipment to meet project specifications.
• Cleans, clears, and prepares roads, ditches, sewer lines and land using heavy or construction equipment for construction or property maintenance purposes.
• Communicates with members of the public, supervisors, and subordinates using verbal and written correspondence in order to exchange information concerning heavy or construction equipment operator job duties.
• Loads, unloads, lifts, and places various materials (e.g., dirt, biosolids, pipes, brush) using heavy or construction equipment in order to complete construction, cleanup, or maintenance projects.
• Performs preventative maintenance and basic repairs on heavy or construction equipment (e.g., checking fluids, changing parts) in order to maintain efficient equipment operations.
• Promotes safe work practices (e.g., setting up traffic work zones, wearing safety gear, obeying applicable traffic laws, using outriggers) to prevent accidents, injuries, and property/equipment damage.
• Supervises staff by assigning and distributing work, directing staff in their job duties, monitoring progress of work, providing feedback and/or training.

Physical Demands

Job involves physical exertion required for sustained periods of light physical activity such as operating a refuse truck or standing for prolonged periods of time. May involve occasional lifting of items or objects weighing up to 50 lbs.

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed at outdoor worksites such as residential neighborhoods, landfills, etc. Work involves use of heavy equipment and construction equipment such as front bulldozers, backhoes, graders, etc., as well as a variety of hand tools. Job may require exposure to potentially hazardous work conditions (e.g., working in and around traffic, in and around landfills, working in and around heavy equipment and construction equipment). May also require exposure to inclement weather when working outdoors (e.g., extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, wind), as well as working around foul odors and potentially harmful waste.

Eeo Statement

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Each Merit System member city/agency operates its own equal employment opportunity policies available on the individual city/agency website.

Accommodation

To request an accommodation in the application or hiring process due to your own ongoing medical condition or disability, please contact our Accommodations Coordinator at [e-mail] or phone at 205-279-3500 (select option 1) Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time. The accommodation process is reserved solely for job seekers with disabilities requesting accessibility assistance or accommodation in the job application process.

Note

This job posting may close before, or be extended beyond, the listed Target Close Date based on the employment needs of the Merit System.

Disclaimer

This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required for this position and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.