Engineering Equipment Operator

National Park Service; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Big Bend National Park seeks a skilled operator to run heavy gasoline- or diesel-powered equipment for grading surfaces and supporting construction across rugged terrain. You will perform earthmoving, load and transport equipment, and participate in road and trail projects with safety inspections as a core duty.

The position is career-seasonal, with a schedule spanning January to late June and mid-July to December, and standard park benefits.

Responsibilities

• Operate a wide range of heavy gasoline- or diesel-powered engineering equipment to perform construction, excavation, grading and earthmoving on varied terrain.
• Perform excavation, grading, backfilling, and leveling for roads, trails, culverts, canals, tunnels and construction sites.
• Use attachments such as blades, buckets, augers, rakes, compactors, snow blowers, mowers, and brush cutters to clear vegetation and maintain trails or roads.
• Conduct pre-trip safety inspections and basic equipment maintenance; report deficiencies to supervisors.
• Coordinate with park staff to support roads, trails, and utility placement; ensure safe cargo handling and route selection.
• Career Seasonal - approximately January to late June and mid-July through December with non-pay status for part of the year; follows park schedule for Big Bend National Park.

Job description

Open: August 24, 2026 — Closes: August 28, 2026

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to operate gasoline or diesel-powered engineering and construction heavy equipment to grade surfaces to rough specifications on all types of terrain, to include mountains and steep slopes, graded curves and shoulders, hilly forests, rocky ground, and other surfaces with similar rough features.

Major Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Operate a wide range of heavy gasoline- or diesel-powered engineering equipment (e.g., graders, dozers, backhoes, loaders, excavators, trenchers) to perform construction, excavation, grading, and earthmoving on varied terrain including flat ground, steep slopes, forests, rocky areas, and mountainous environments. Use equipment attachments such as blades, buckets, augers, rakes, compactors, snow blowers, mowers, and brush cutters to complete tasks like clearing vegetation, removing debris, cutting trails, ripping ice, sanding roads, stockpiling materials, and performing erosion or landfill maintenance. Perform excavation, grading, backfilling, and leveling for projects such as roads, trails, culverts, canals, tunnels, and construction sites, and conduct snow removal, stump removal, rock moving, and utility placement using booms and specialized attachments. Load, secure, transport, and maneuver heavy engineering equipment and materials using motor vehicles over 14,400 kg GVW (e.g., dump trucks, semi-trailers, tankers, flatbeds, buses), ensuring compliance with all laws, safe cargo handling, and route selection. Operate large-capacity forklifts and tractors with various attachments in rough, muddy, narrow, or confined environments to lift heavy loads, move materials, mow, aerate, dig post holes, or perform similar maintenance tasks on steep or hazardous terrain. Conduct pre-trip safety inspections, perform limited equipment and vehicle maintenance (e.g., checking fluids and tire pressure), adjust equipment settings, hook up attachments, and report deficiencies to supervisors or higher-level operators. Career Seasonal - Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. You will work for approximately January to late June and Mid-July through December (Non-pay status 6/28/27-7/11/27) and you will be in a non-pay status for the remainder of the year. For more information about the park please visit: Big Bend National Park